How to connect electricity and gas when moving home?

Moving home can be stressful regardless of whether you are a new homeowner or renting an apartment. It can be intimidating to deal with all the paperwork, pack up your belongings, and settle into an unfamiliar suburb. Have you thought about connecting gas and electricity to your new address in Australia? You don’t have to worry about it.

There are only two steps for most home buyers and renters; first, you need to disconnect at your prior residence and connect electricity and gas at your new residence. Depending on your circumstances, you’ll need to consider a few additional factors, but for the most part, it’s pretty straightforward. 

In this article, we have described the way of electricity and gas connection when moving home in Australia. 

Comparison of energy plans for the best deal

When it comes to energy providers, why not switch to one that caters to your new home? It’s best to find an energy company that provides competitive rates and plans before you move home. The easiest way to ensure you receive a great deal is to compare rates with your current energy provider. In Australia, Moveinconnect offers 100% free service to compare electricity plans and help you in sorting up a new electricity connection. 

You can compare electricity and gas plan at Moveinconnect and select a suitable deal in your area in Australia. Once you’ve settled in, you should be savvy enough to shop around for a good energy deal. Remember, electricity and gas providers will take advantage of your lack of attention to increase prices. 

Disconnecting your current power supply

Make sure you tell your energy supplier that you’ll be moving out. It is vital to give your current supplier enough notice of disconnection to avoid unnecessary supply charges. The best way to do this is to provide the notice at least a week in advance and arrange for the power to be disconnected the day after moving out.

As you switch energy providers, your previous provider will need time to process your final bill. You’ll need to designate a new account holder before you move out. Contact them to find out how long it will take. Your current provider may require you to pay an early termination fee if they don’t have a contract in your new area.

Connecting electricity to a new property

One of the most important decisions you will make as a new homeowner is who your energy company will be. Whether natural gas or electricity, you must sign up with a reputable retailer. The next step is turning on your account. If you’re not sure about how this works, don’t worry! Your new energy company should be able to show you how to do it.

What to do if there is an active power supply at the property

If your new property is already connected to the energy network, you’ll likely be able to sign up with an energy provider as soon as you contact them. 

How do I reconnect my power? After disconnecting from your current retailer, you will have to go through the process of reconnecting your power. If you are switching providers or staying with your current provider, the process is the same to connect electricity and gas. Your energy provider will require the following information to reconnect your power:

• Your new address
• Dates you would like your gas and/or electricity connected (this will ensure you have power on the day you move in)
• Provide your contact information and a form of identification, such as a passport, driver’s license, or Medicare card
• Your concession details – you can register your concession details for your new house after you’re connected.

Before you sign up with a new energy company, know that it could take between 1-3 business days before you have power. Gas connections, as well, can sometimes take a bit longer. Ask your provider if they’ll have safe and clear access to your meters at your new house. On moving day, write down the meter reading for your old and new home to make sure you’re being charged the right amount for your usage.

If you require a new connection

If you need to get a new power or gas connection to your property, you can contact your distributor or contractor for assistance. Your distributor is the company that owns and maintains the powerlines and natural gas pipelines that service your property.

Your distributor may need to design and build you a new connection. If that’s the case, don’t worry. They’ll provide you with an offer detailing the cost of the work and any other important information.

You may need to start the process well in advance because the time it will take for your property to be connected will depend on its size and complexity. Many state-based applications need to be submitted and processed, which will be available through your energy distributor.

Find your energy distributor using the links below:

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Northern Territory
• Western Australia

Connecting electricity to a rental property

There are a few things to consider when renting a place, especially for the first time. For example, landlords are responsible for their tenant’s gas and electricity, but renters are responsible for having it reconnected in their name with the utility companies. The best time to do this is before you move in, so the new tenant does not have to pay for someone else’s use.

Urgent connection

Before moving, check if your energy provider offers an urgent connection service. These connections usually take place within two to three business days, but some providers can do it even sooner. Contact your provider to arrange an urgent connection or check their website for assistance.

What if my new property has solar panels?

Solar panels may be among the most important inventions of the modern age. They use natural energy from the sun to create electricity and reduce your energy bills. Not only that, but solar panels may also be subject to feed-in-tariffs which means you have to pay for the electricity you generate.

When moving into a new property, alert your energy provider that the roof has solar panels. You should also think about how the feed-in-tariff rate is part of your energy plan comparison. Ideally, you want to find a plan with an excellent feed-in-tariff rate and one that offers a great deal on your grid electricity and gas consumption.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve successfully moved into your new home don’t worry about the small stuff. There are many things to do, but the best energy plan for you should be the least of your concerns. This guide will help you; whether you are moving to a new home, rental home, or require an urgent connection, you can use our information. Make sure you’re in a reputable company with excellent customer service, plus you can compare them with online energy comparison tools.