Utility Switch
3rd January, 2010 - Posted by admin - Comments Off
Hello and welcome to UtilitySwitch.info . I got fed up with paying high bills and decided to set this site up to encourage other UK utility users to swap suppliers. I have no axe to grind, its all free advice. I saved about 30% on my bills when I swapped to utility warehouse last year. I like my gas, electricity, phone and broadband all on one bill as well as my free phone calls to my bother in Florida. They are one of many companies you should look at but please take time to read my site and I hope you find my site of use.
Switching your Gas and Electricity supplier
To switch your gas or electricity provider and make it go as smoothly as possible please see below for our guide and tips. Switching is easy and switching will save you money.. It takes 20 minutes to switch online and you should be with your new supplier within 14 days.
Finding the best deal on your Gas and Electricity
- Shop around , there are so many suppliers to choose from and don’t discount the new low cost providers.
- Gather your last few gas and electricity bills together. Just add up the amount you have spent or work out how many units of gas and units of electricity you have used.
- Important Tip – Use a winter & a summer bills so you have a good balanced average of your energy usage.
- Check how you pay, its very important to note that direct monthly payments is the cheapest way to pay your gas and electricity bills.
- Check independent reviews for companies such as Which?
- Look at other web sites , see some we recommend on the right hand side of this page.
- Ensure you consider the following when changing your supplier.
- Make sure you dont sign lengthy contracts. Check to ensure you can cancel if you want , when you want.
- Price; if you are switching energy suppliers to save money then this is fundamental of course. You want to find for a supplier that is cheaper than your current one and if possible go for the biggest savings.
- You should also research the Customer Service Ratings for your choice of energy supplier as some UK energy suppliers have better/worse customer service ratings than others. Customer service ratings are derived from aggregating the statistics collected by Consumer Focus. http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk
- If possible try to taking a Green energy product. Most of the UK’s energy suppliers have a green energy product and some are no extra cost to their normal standard products.
- Also look at Online Accounts. Most of the UK’s biggest energy suppliers have online facilities allowing you to manage your account over the Internet , submit meter readings and get paperless billing. Phone and email contact is of course available.
- Remember that prepayment meters are the most expensive type of way to pay for your gas and electricity. If you wish to change the type of payment method you will have to have your meter physically changed in your property. In most case you will need to get your current supplier to do this before you can change.
- Tip – paying by direct debit and manage your account online are the cheapest ways to pay for your gas and electricity.
Switching your Gas and Electricity supplier
Switching your gas and electricity supplier is easy. Once you have chosen who you want to supply you the following is a guide to what to do next:
- You will need you mpan and mprn numbers. Simply explained these are the numbers the new energy supplier will need to know where to send the gas and electricity to. These can be found on your bill but our web site has the software built in to find this simply from your postal address so you do not have to worry.
- If you have chosen to pay by direct debit, your new supplier will need your bank details. If you give your bank details to us over the Internet or the phone all your details are stored securely and encrypted and only passed on to your chosen new energy supplier so they can set up your new direct debits.
- If you have chosen to manage your account online a valid email address will be needed and is one that you check regularly.
After you have switched Energy Supplier
Once you have completed one of our forms to change your gas and electricity supplier there are a few simple things you can do to ensure it all goes smoothly:
- First be aware of your rights to cancel and change you mind. Under UK regulation you have 7 days to change your mind from the date of your application. This is known as the “cooling off period”.
- Once you have had confirmation of the date your new supply will start, take meter readings so you can give these to your new gas and electricity suppliers.
- Make sure you pay any outstanding gas and electricity bills. If you have overpaid during your time with your current energy supply you will get this money back. If you owe your current supplier money you will have to clear this debt to allow you to move to a new energy supplier.
- Once you have had a welcome pack from your new gas and electricity supplier write to your current gas and electricity supplier to tell them you are moving to a new gas supplier and electricity supplier.
Best Of Luck , its simple and easy to do , you can start your research by clicking on the search box below.
This is an independent website and not the official website of the Utility Warehouse. For
the most up to date information, please go to www.telecomplus.org.uk/092727
