First time buyers’ energy guide

How to set up gas and electricity for the first time in a new home

Setting up gas and electricity for the first time can be tricky. Here are our easy-to-follow steps to setting up gas and electricity in your home:

1. Find out who supplies energy to the property
2. Find your gas and electricity meters
3. Take meter readings and contact the energy supplier
4. Find the fuse box and trip switch
5. Find your meter number
6. Find out what tariff you’re on
7. Find a better energy deal

Our full moving house checklist has all the details you need.

Find out who your energy supplier is

To help find out who your supplier is you could ask the seller or estate agent (or developer if the property is a new build) before you move in. 

Find your gas and electricity meters

These meters are usually in the kitchen, hallway, or outside – when you first view a house note down where the meter is (the estate agent should be able to give you all the details). 

Take meter readings and contact the energy supplier

Once you have moved in and you’ve found your meters, it’s important to take meter readings and submit them to the supplier. Otherwise, you may end up paying for energy you haven’t used. The supplier will give you all the help you need setting up gas and electricity for the first time.

Find the fuse box and trip switch 

If your electricity is cut out, you need to know where your trip switch is to get everything back up and running. A trip is nothing to worry about – it’s usually a precaution to keep you safe if there is a faulty appliance. 

You’ll find it in or near the fuse box which will be just metres from the electricity meter. 

Find your meter number (MPAN)

There are two types of meter number: Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) for electricity and Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) for gas. 

The MPAN is unique to your home and is 21 digits long. It can be found on your bill and may also be called your “supply number”. 

The MPRN is six to ten digits long and can also be found on your bill. 

Find out what tariff you’re on

Once you know who the energy supplier is, it's best to find out what tariff you're on. The supplier will likely tell you what tariff you’re on. Switching can help you find a better deal.

Find a tariff to suit your needs

Moving into a new home provides a great opportunity to get an energy tariff that suits your needs. View our latest tariffs.

First-time buyer energy tips

As a first-time home buyer, you'll need to save money where you can. By making simple changes or switches at home, you can end up saving a lot. Read our guide to making energy-efficient choices at home and read our top tips below to start new energy and money-saving habits from the start – for a minimal extra cost.

• Draught-proof any doors or windows with a cheap option like draught-excluding foam
• Take showers, not baths. Showers take much less energy than baths
• Keep windows shut in winter
• Turn down the thermostat a little bit on your boiler and room thermostat if you have one
• Replace your light bulbs with low-energy LED bulbs – they use much less energy and last much longer

Need more first-time homeowner tips?

Check out our other useful guides for homeowners:

• If you don't know dual fuel from Direct Debit, then our guide to energy tariffs is for you
• Boilers are a vital part of your home, so fixing common boiler problems is very important
• Our guide to keeping your home warm will help you feel cosy in cold weather 
• Icy weather can mean frozen pipes - find out what to do and how to prevent them

Want to keep an eye on bills?

Smart meters allow you to easily monitor your energy usage – making adjustments to save where necessary. Sign up for a smart meter today. 

Want more tips on keeping costs low?

There are lots of ways to keep energy use lower and bills down. Take a look at all of our tips to help you save at home. Get energy-saving tips. 

Get a more suitable energy tariff

Property with a different supplier? No problem. With just three simple steps you can switch to EDF.