
First time buyers’ energy guide
Owning your first home is super exciting – but moving can be stressful. So we’ve put together a handy first time buyers’ tips for everything you need to know before you move into your first ever home.
Before you move (if you’re currently renting)
- Let your energy supplier know that you're moving.
- Read your meter on the day you move out and give these readings to your supplier. Read our guide to reading a meter.
- Give your supplier a forwarding address so you can pay your final bill.
After you move into your new home
- Find out who the new supplier is to let them know you’ve moved in. Not sure who your supplier is?
- You can shop around for a better deal and change supplies.
- Read the meters on your first day and give these readings to your supplier.
- Pay your final bill for your last property.
First time buyer energy bills
When you move into your new home, the current energy supplier for the property will automatically transfer you to their standard tariff. Most of the time this isn’t the best deal so make sure you shop around. Make sure you shop around so you save more on your bill.
You could save more than you think by switching. Every household is unique and has different needs – so we have a range of tariffs that offer something different for everyone.
Electricity and gas quotes for first time buyers is something top of everyone’s list – and finding the right deal can help you save cash.
New to EDF and moving home? We’ve made it easy to find a tariff that suits your needs.
Already with EDF? Log into MyAccount to move home.
First time buyers’ checklist
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 & electricity in your home:
- Find out who supplies energy to the property
- Find your gas & electricity meters
- Take meter readings & contact the energy supplier
- Find the fuse box and trip switch
- Find your meter number
- Find out what tariff you’re on
- Find a better energy deal
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 & 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.
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 is best to find out what tariff you are 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 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?
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.
New to EDF and moving home? We’ve made it easy to find a tariff that suits your needs.
Already with EDF? Log into MyAccount to move home.