Moving home energy supply checklist

Published on 25 May 2026

Moving home in the UK is a significant undertaking, filled with countless tasks and decisions. Amidst the packing, forwarding addresses, and new beginnings, managing your energy supply can often feel like another chore on an already overwhelming list. However, overlooking this crucial step can lead to unexpected costs and unnecessary stress. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step checklist to ensure your energy supply transition is as smooth as possible, allowing you to focus on settling into your new home.

When you are moving home, managing your energy supply can feel like a burden. Fuse Energy aims to simplify this process, offering clear tariffs and an easy-to-use app to help you manage your energy from day one. Take control of your energy with Fuse by starting your switch here.

Planning your move: the essential timeline

Effective planning is the cornerstone of a stress-free move. By outlining key energy-related actions well in advance, you can avoid last-minute panics and ensure continuous, accurately billed supply.

Weeks before moving

As soon as your moving date is confirmed, begin planning your energy transition. This involves understanding your current energy contract and researching options for your new property. If you are on a fixed tariff, check for any exit fees. The rules vary by supplier: for example, Fuse Energy applies a £50 exit fee on its fixed tariffs when you leave early — whether you are moving or not — unless you are within the first 14 days of the contract (cooling-off period) or the last 49 days of the contract. Other suppliers may handle moves differently, so check your contract. It is also wise to research the energy landscape of your new area.

Moving day preparations

The day of your move is hectic, but the one energy-related task that must not be overlooked is taking final meter readings at your old property. Keep a note of the readings and the dates you took them, ideally with a photo, in case of any billing discrepancies. Those readings are how your previous supplier produces an accurate closing bill.

Settling into your new home

Once you have moved in, the priority shifts to establishing your energy supply at the new property. Locate the meters, take initial readings, and decide who will supply you. If you are switching to Fuse Energy, you can sign up in the app and Fuse handles the switch through industry systems on your behalf; if you are staying with whichever supplier you inherit at the property, contact them directly to set up an account. Either way, do not delay — failure to act promptly can lead to estimated bills or even debt.

Closing your old account and final bills

When you move home, your previous supplier needs a closing meter reading to produce a final, accurate bill. The meter-reading step is the same whichever supplier you end up with; what changes is who notifies your previous supplier you are leaving.

If you are switching to Fuse Energy

You do not need to contact your previous supplier separately. Fuse handles the switch through industry systems and tells your previous supplier you are leaving. Your only responsibility is the closing meter reading: if you have a smart meter, Fuse picks it up automatically after switch-in; if you have a manual meter, submit it in the Fuse app or on the website within 5 days of switching in, and Fuse will forward it to your previous supplier.

If you are staying with another supplier

If you plan to stay with your current supplier or to remain with whichever supplier you inherit at the new property, you will need to contact them yourself. Provide your move-out date for the old property and a final meter reading. Most suppliers ask for at least 48 hours' notice, though giving more time - up to 28 days where the supplier allows it - means your closing bill is based on a real reading rather than an estimate.

Taking accurate meter readings for your move

Accurate meter readings are the bedrock of fair billing. Without them, you risk paying for energy used by previous occupants or being overcharged on your final bill.

Why meter readings are crucial

Taking precise meter readings on your move-out day at your old property and your move-in day at your new one is vital. These readings ensure you are only billed for the energy you consumed. It also prevents you from inadvertently paying for the next resident's usage. Always keep a record of these readings, ideally by taking a photo, as proof.

How to read your meter (smart vs traditional)

The method for reading your meter depends on its type.

• Smart meters: These typically send readings automatically to your supplier. However, in some situations, like moving home, you might still need to provide a manual reading. For most smart meters, you will press a button (often "A", "B", or "9") to cycle through the display until you see the meter reading, usually followed by "kWh" for electricity or "m3" for gas.
• Traditional meters:
• Digital meters: Read the numbers from left to right, ignoring any digits in red or after a decimal point.
• Dial meters: These can be trickier. Read the dials from left to right, noting the number the pointer has *just passed*. If it is between two numbers, always take the lower one. Ignore any red dials or those marked 1/10 as these often denote tenths of a unit.

Submitting your final readings

Once you have your closing readings from your old property, get them to the right place. If you are switching to Fuse Energy, submit them in the Fuse app (or on the website) within 5 days of switching in, and Fuse will forward them to your previous supplier. If you are staying with another supplier, send the readings to them directly along with your move-out date. For your new property, take initial readings as soon as you arrive: a smart meter will report automatically once Fuse is supplying you, and otherwise you can submit them through your supplier's usual channel.

Setting up energy at your new home

Establishing your energy supply at your new property involves identifying the current supplier, choosing a suitable tariff, and potentially switching to a new provider.

Finding your new supplier

If you are unsure who supplies your new home, you can often find this information on existing bills at the property or by asking the landlord or previous owner. You can also find this via consumer look-up services: "What's My Supplier?" (supplier.nationalgrid.co.uk) or your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) for electricity, and Find My Supplier (findmysupplier.energy) for gas. Each uses your MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) for electricity or MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number) for gas1 — unique identifiers for your energy supply points that are crucial for accurate account management.

Choosing the right tariff

Upon moving in, you will typically be placed on a 'deemed contract' with the existing supplier, often on their Standard Variable Tariff. This is usually not the cheapest option. It is an opportune moment to compare tariffs and find one that best suits your usage patterns and budget. Fuse Energy, for example, offers various tariffs, including those for electric vehicle owners, and allows you to select tariffs for both electricity and gas. If you are considering an EV, understanding how much to install an EV charger at home or choosing the right home EV charger can help you pick the best tariff.

Switching to Fuse Energy

Switching energy suppliers has become simpler and more reliable thanks to the Central Switching Service (CSS), which manages all electricity and gas switches in the UK. Fuse Energy aims to make the switching process straightforward. You can typically switch to Fuse by downloading their app and following a simple onboarding process that involves entering your address, selecting a tariff, and setting up a Direct Debit. Fuse handles most of the administrative tasks, ensuring a continuous supply. The process is quick to initiate.

Other essential moving home notifications

While energy is a significant concern, a successful move requires notifying a host of other organisations about your change of address.

• Council tax and electoral roll: You must inform your local council when you move out of one property and into another to update your council tax details. You will also need to update your details on the electoral roll to ensure you do not lose your right to vote and to maintain your credit rating.
• Broadband, TV, and phone: Contact your broadband, TV, and phone providers to arrange for services to be transferred to your new address. Give them as much notice as possible, as setting up services at a new property can sometimes take several weeks.
• Banks, insurance, and mail redirection: Update your address with your bank, credit card companies, and insurance providers (including car and home insurance). This is crucial for security checks and to ensure you receive important correspondence. Consider setting up a mail redirection service with Royal Mail to catch any post that might still go to your old address.

Simplifying your energy with Fuse when moving home

Moving home is a chance to reset, and that includes how you manage your energy. Fuse Energy is built on the belief that energy should be abundant, clean, and simple, removing the traditional trade-offs between convenience and cost.

The Fuse app: transparency and control

The Fuse app is designed to give you transparency and control over your energy usage. It allows for easy account management, real-time usage data, and straightforward tariff changes. This modern approach contrasts with often cumbersome traditional supplier interactions, enabling you to manage your energy with ease and confidence.

Seamless switching process

Fuse simplifies the energy aspect of moving. Their app-based onboarding and switching process is designed to be quick and hassle-free, with Fuse handling the complexities of transferring your supply. This means less time spent on hold and more time enjoying your new home.

Permission to use more energy

Fuse's core philosophy is about abundance, not scarcity. Fuse aims to make clean energy affordable and accessible, removing the anxiety often associated with energy consumption, so you can heat your home comfortably, charge your electric vehicle, and use your appliances without constantly worrying about the bill or your environmental impact. Fuse is building a future where energy is solved, allowing you to focus on building the future you imagined. This vision aligns with the concept of zero bill homes, where energy costs become negligible.

Managing your energy bills should be clear and easy to understand, especially when moving home. Fuse Energy focuses on straightforward pricing, so you can see exactly what you are paying without unnecessary complexity. If you have a smart meter, you can view detailed usage data through the app or website, helping you understand how you can lower your bills. Our 24/7 human support team is always on hand with fast response times of under 5 minutes whenever you need help. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy and take control of your energy. Find out about our mission by clicking here.

References

1. Uswitch. MPAN and MPRN numbers explained