New homeowners

1) Take your meter readings

When people move house, their utility bills shouldn’t increase but they often do due to pricey standard tariffs or a misunderstanding of controls. First time buyers are the most at risk of being in the dark here. Let’s straighten things out.

Once moved into the new property, make sure you don’t get overcharged on your first energy bill by locating your energy meters and take their readings right away.

Gas and electric meter locations will vary house by house, but are commonly found in kitchens, under stair cupboards, in reception areas or outside the property, so it’s a good idea to get this information from your estate agent before you move in.

Take photos of your readings too – for your own sanity, but as proof if you ever need it when switching suppliers.

2) Confirm your supplier

Before you move, it’s a good idea to inform your current supplier(s) of the move so you can easily transfer your utility ownership to the new property, and ensure you’re not still paying for your old supply too.

You’ll also need to know the names of the energy suppliers in your new home, to help with any account switching you may like to do for better deals.

When moving home, your gas and electric will be automatically with the old homeowner’s energy provider(s), often on their standard tariff. This is normally an expensive option, so it’s worth doing your research and saving money by switching or updating your readings with existing suppliers as soon as possible.

4) Turn on your boiler

It’s not uncommon for your heating to have been turned completely off by previous owners before you step foot into your new property, so chances are you’ll have a chilly start to your new way of life.

A fundamental for home warmth (and we’re not just talking temperature) is getting your boiler working for you from the start.

First, get any necessary paperwork from the seller like the gas safety certificate, and Building Regulations compliance certificate before you move. If possible, you should get the boiler inspected before you agree to buy the property.

When you step into your new home on move day locate your boiler and turn it on so you can spend your first night happily. Familiarise yourself with its settings and make sure your boiler works for you.

If you’d like some tips on how to keep your boiler running efficiently, have a look at these boiler tips for homeowners.

5) Switch on the electrical appliances

The previous owner probably unplugged their fridge and switched off appliances like the oven or dishwasher before leaving the property.

It’s a good idea to make sure all your electrical appliances are up and running smoothly once you move in so you can sort out any problems immediately.

If you’ve brought your fridge from your previous home, you should let it sit for at least 3 hours before plugging it in to allow the oil in the cooling lines to return to the compressor.

Once this is done, put a bottle of bubbly in your fridge, unpack your essentials, and enjoy the first night in your new home!

Generating warmth is at the heart of Worcester Bosch’s purpose, as it is our reason for being. Read more about Worcester Bosch’s commitment to warming lives, here.