For the longest time, the United Kingdom enjoyed the reputation of having some of the most liberal immigration policies. However, after Brexit, it’s more focused on expats with specialist skills. You remember the controversial plan that had been hatched to relocate undocumented immigrants from the UK to Rwanda awaiting the completion of their cases? That is not the case here anyway. Whatever the case, the UK still remains one of the countries with a diverse economy. It also has affordable and quality housing, which could explain why it’s a popular destination for foreigners.
Although people still come to the UK in troves, they must all be reminded of the country’s extremely cold winters that run from November to March. Don’t be mistaken, they are characterized by rain, cold weather and snow. Not to mention the long nights that come during winter. While here, you will need access to a reliable electricity and heating connection. Otherwise, the already long nights will be even longer for you. The good news is, setting up your utilities in the UK is fairly simple.
Electricity and Gas Providers in the UK
The first thing you will love about the UK is that many properties already have a connection to electricity and gas. It’s only in a few cases, though rare that you might find no connection in your new home. Similarly, for those renting property in the UK, you might find that your landlord or agent has already arranged this utilities for you. However, if you are buying property in the UK, you will have to organize them yourself.
If you’re a perfectionist like me, whether you are renting or buying, you will prefer to do them yourself. Luckily for us, you can access gas and electricity readily and easily in this country. You’ll also be pleased to learn that the UK has some of the best quality of electricity supply in the world.
You should also know that the market is highly privatized and you can choose your preferred provider when it comes to utilities. Thus, you might find it overwhelming to choose a provider with so many options available to you. However, don’t worry because websites such as Please Connect Me can compare the providers for you.
Some households in the United Kingdom use gas canisters instead of a centralized gas supply. If this is the case then you can purchase canisters from camping stores, home improvement stores, and shops such as Argos.
Electricity and Gas Providers in the UK
The electricity and gas market in the United Kingdom is regulated by Ofgem. Currently, most electricity and gas in the country are provided by the big six. However, there are other small firms that also have many customers. Most providers will allow you to choose between fixed and variable tariffs.
You should note that most providers in the country offer combination tariffs including electricity and gas. This is an advantage for you since most houses have both electrical and gas-powered facilities. The central heating system are in most cases run on gas.
The big six are made up of British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON, Npower, Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern Energy. The smaller providers you might come across are Bulb Energy, Cooperative Energy, Green Star Energy, Octopus Energy, Ovo Energy, Pure Planet, Tonik and Utilita Energy.
However, you should know that the provider you choose mostly depends on your area. The larger providers mostly operate nationwide though so it won’t be much of a problem. You should also consider the customer service offered by each company before you sign up. Just remember that no provider is so bad they should not be considered.
Setting up your Electricity and Gas Connection in the UK
If you are moving to a rental property in the UK, then chances are high that your house is already connected to gas and electricity. So, all you need to do is to transfer the services in your own name. In some cases, your landlord might offer to keep the bills in his name. However, this is a bad idea because it might cost you more since it’s not their primary residence.
So, call the supplier and transfer the account to your name for easier payments. Also, ensure that you take the meter readings for the house before you sign up. This will ensure that you receive accurate bills and only pay for your own usage. The same will be required when you are moving out of the house. The supplier will need a final meter reading.
You might decide to change the supplier once you have changed the account details. Switching energy suppliers in the United Kingdom is very straightforward. You should however, note that most supplier will charge you if you had signed a contract with a time limit.
To change a supplier simply contact the new supplier over the phone or online. Your new supplier will only need a post code. You can visit the Ofgem website to find information on your local gas and electricity distribution network.
Electricity and Gas Costs in the UK
Most suppliers in the country will offer you varying payment plans for their services. However, the most common plans include fixed monthly rates, capped rates, unit rates, or prepaid meters.
Currently, the average charges for electricity are 14.37p per kWh. However, your costs will also include a standing charge between £75–150 per annum. Similarly, the average gas costs in the UK at the moment are approximately 3.8p per kWh.
However, you should know that most companies will give you a package deal for supplying both electricity and gas. So you should shop around and see which provider has the most affordable deal.
