When it comes to paying for gas and electricity low-income families appear to be amongst the highest users of pre-payment meters, with many other types of families believing that ‘budgeting tools’ like this will help better manage their bills compared to those paying by direct debit.
Unfortunately this is not the case and many energy suppliers are seen to be charging people around 9% more for going down this route.
Here are several ways in which you take advantage of cheap gas and cheap electricity prices:
- Getting rid of your pre-payment meter
You will need to contact your energy supplier if you are considering a switch away from a prepayment meter. This will usually involve a quick credit check over the phone and a discussion on how to settle your existing debt if any exists.
Your provider should change the provider free of charge but if you do experience any problems then speak to energywatch on 08459 06 07 08.
Once your meter has been changed you will want to make sure you’re on the best possible tariff. Here’s how:
1. Check your existing tariff against other products once the meter has been installed.
As with the steps above you are best using a site that is fully accredited to the energywatch confidence code, such as moneysupermarket.com. If possible try and enter an average consumption rather than spend, as this would be based on your old pre-payment meter and may give a less accurate comparison.
2. Once you have selected your new supplier, the process should be fairly straightforward. After completing your application it normally takes 4-6 weeks for your new provider to change things over.
- If you are keeping your pre-payment meter
Although your existing provider owns your prepayment meter, this does not prevent you from changing to another company.
Firstly, you need to determine whether or not you have any energy debt on your meter. If you do, and it’s more than £100, you may not be able to change providers until the debt is settled.
If there is no debt on the meter, here is how to change to a new provider.
1. Find out how much you are spending on your current tariff and use this to provide an annual spend/consumption (kwh).
2. Compare your current tariff against other products using a site that is fully accredited to the energywatch confidence code e.g. moneysupermarket.com. This means they have been vetted by the independent gas and electricity watchdog and ensures complete impartiality.
If you don’t know you’re usage/spend, use the low, medium or high user profiles provided.
3. Once you have selected your new supplier, the process should be fairly straightforward. After completing of your application it normally takes 4-6 weeks for your new provider to change things over.
Gary Parsons
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/cheap-gas-and-electricity-for-prepayment-customers-127048.html