Getting a quote from suppliers is easy as everything is available online, but you will need a few bits of info before you start:
The address & postcode of your new home
Some info about your house (like how many bedrooms there are)
It may be helpful to know who the current energy provider of that property is (your landlord or letting agent will be able to let you know), but not critical
 
When you move into your new home you will probably get letters from the last supplier, or addressed to the old tenants.  Don’t worry about these, they must write to tenants, but you can decide who you want to deal with.

Managing your Account
There are a few things you can do to make life a whole lot easier managing your energy when you move into your new home:
Put everyone’s name in the house on the account so you can all talk to your supplier
Register for the supplier’s app or online account so you can get quick and easy 24/7 help if required
Find your meter on day one and take a reading (and picture of the reading), and make sure you send it to your supplier or you may get charged a higher amount
Pay by direct debit if you can, it often works out cheaper and is easier to manage
We have covered this on another guide, but its worth noting that there are some excellent apps on the market for helping you managing payment of your bills with your housemates.  Splitwise is really good, reviews well, and one that we know students use a lot, but it’s also worth looking at Splittr & Splid as we have heard good things about them.
 
 
Energy Jargon Buster
Arranging energy for your home can feel a bit daunting, with lots of strange terminology and abbreviations that you may not know, so we have helped by listing the main ones below to help you make a more informed decision, and what the terminology means in real life terms. So if you want to know the difference between your Kwh and MPRN, read on!

Gas Terminology:

Meter: The device that measures the amount of gas you use.
Credit Meter: A traditional meter where you pay for energy usage after it’s been consumed.
Prepayment Meter: A meter where you pay for energy upfront, usually using a card or key.
Unit: A measure of gas usage, typically in kWh (kilowatt-hour).
Standing Charge: A fixed daily or monthly fee for the service, regardless of usage.
Variable Rate: This is where you price is changed depending on what the current market price is
Fixed Rate: This is where you agree a fixed price for your gas and it doesn’t change
Energy Price Cap: This is the maximum amount your energy supplier can charge per unit of energy.   It’s set by an independent organisation called Ofgem (more below) and the cap levels come into play every 3 months (Jan, Apr, Jul & Oct)
Tariff: The pricing plan or rate you agree to with your gas supplier.
Dual Fuel: When you get both your gas and electricity from the same supplier.
MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number): A unique number identifying the gas meter at your property.
Boiler: The device that heats your home and water using gas.
Dual Fuel:  This is where you buy your gas and electric from the same supplier, often on a better deal
Economy 7 (also known as eco 7, two rate, or peak/off peak): In essence, when using energy in the daytime (usually between 7.00 am and 12.00 am), it’s more expensive than at night (usually between 12.00 am and 7.00 am).  These tariffs mean you can take advantage of cheaper rates if you use the energy during the off-peak periods (at night)

Electric Terminology:

Meter: Similar to gas, it measures the amount of electricity you use.
kW (kilowatt): A unit of electricity that’s used to power your household appliances.  It’s exactly 1,000 watts.
Unit: A measure of electricity usage your appliances use, also known as kWh (kilowatt per hour).
Standing Charge: Like gas, it’s a fixed daily or monthly fee.
Tariff: The pricing plan or rate for electricity usage.
Dual Fuel: Getting both gas and electricity from the same supplier.
MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number): Unique number identifying the electricity meter at your property.
Fuse Box (Consumer Unit): Where the electricity supply to your home is controlled and protected.
Common Terms for Both Gas and Electric:
Supplier: The company you buy your gas or electricity from.
Contract: The agreement you have with your supplier, specifying terms and conditions.
Bill: The statement you receive from your supplier, detailing your usage and charges.
Smart Meter: A digital meter that automatically sends usage data to your supplier.
Direct Debit: A payment method where money is automatically withdrawn from your bank account to pay bills.
Renewable Energy: Energy generated from sustainable sources like wind, solar, or hydro power.

Who are Ofgem?
Ofgem are the independent energy regulator in Great Britain.  They operate within a framework set by parliament, and their overall objective for consumers is working with the energy suppliers to protect your best interests.  If you would like to know more about Ofgem their website has everything you need to know www.ofgem.gov.uk
 
Which Supplier is best?
There are loads of suppliers on the market (listed below), and the majority offer similar tariffs and levels of service.   

Our favourite supplier is Octopus Energy, they can supply gas and electric, their customer service is the best out of the largest suppliers (Trustpilot 4.8 out of 5 stars), and they are among the best at supplying affordable, green energy. Using our referral link (insert), if you accept the quote and sign up, you can also earn yourself a handy £50 credit on your account after your first direct debit is taken.
 
Insert referral link for octopus here
The other largest suppliers in the market are: Ovo Energy, British Gas, Eon, & EDF
 
How can we reduce our energy bills?
There are loads of ways to reduce your energy bills, here are our best tips from students we have helped set up broadband and energy:

Turn down your thermostat: Just one degree lower could save you up to £145 a year.  Set a timer on your thermostat for your heating to come on only when you really need it

Don’t heat empty rooms:  If a housemate is away, or there are rooms you don’t use often, using individual radiator means you can reduce or turn off the heat in that room

Live with a vampire:  You may have a housemate who feels the cold more than others, so it’s worth encouraging them to invest in an electric blanket rather than increasing the house thermostat.  An electric blanket should only cost you around £25-50 and use as little as 3p an hour of electricity, especially at night

Change your light bulbs: Fitting LED light bulbs is a quick and easy way to reduce energy use.

Switch off the lights:  It’s obvious, but when the lights are on in a room, and it’s not in use, turn the lights off!

Avoid the tumble dryer: Drying your clothes outside or on clothing racks when possible, will save you money

Draught proofing: If you home has draughts around doors and chimneys, it’s a drain on your energy.  It’s worth asking your landlord or managing agent if there is anything they can do to help

For more help on saving money on your energy and water bills, the Energy Saving Trust are a really good source for more information www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
 
What if I we are struggling to pay our bill?
The best thing to do is not ignore the bill, speak with your supplier and explain your situation and see if they can help.  Alternatively, it might be worth speaking to Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133
 
Need any more help?  Give us a call or drop us a line and we will get back to you ASAP