Quick links:

• Find your supplier in minutes
  
  • Who is my DNO?

• Supplier vs. network operator: who does what?
• Found your supplier?
• Your options for a better deal
• FAQS

Before you can enjoy a cup of tea or even sit down to watch TV in your new home, you need to sort out your electricity supply (unless you’re in a ‘bills included’ or ‘all-inclusive’ rental agreement, where it's your landlord’s responsibility to arrange and pay suppliers). 

Most properties will be connected to an existing supplier, and until you notify them that you’ve moved in and agree on a new plan, you’ll pay ‘deemed rates.’ 

‘Deemed rates’ are out-of-contract rates and typically much more expensive than the prices you pay when you’re in an energy contract with a supplier.  The quicker you can arrange a new contract, the better.

You’ll need to know who your supplier is to do that, and this can be fairly straightforward if you know what you’re doing; great news when there’s so much to do during your move. You can solve your supplier problem in four different ways.

Here are the methods we’ll explore to help you find an answer to ‘who is my electricity supplier?’

• Check to see if your supplier has already been in contact. 
• Ask estate agents or letting agents landlords and previous owners/tenants.  
• Use the Energy Network Finder Tool.
• Check your gas supplier too. 

Let’s take a look at the most efficient ways to find which one covers your new home. 

Note: Before you do anything else, try to find your electricity meter and take a reading or photograph it for future reference. You’ll get more information later in the guide… 

1️⃣ Method 1: See if your supplier has already contacted your address

If you’ve just moved into a property, you could have stepped over the most important clue about your supplier already. Check near your letterbox to see if there’s any mail addressed to ‘The Occupier’. These will likely be from the property’s current energy supplier. 

It’s also worth looking for any welcome packs or handover documents the previous owner, tenant, or landlord left for you. These could point you in the right direction regarding your electricity supplier. This is more of a courtesy than a legal requirement, so there may not be one.

2️⃣ Method 2: Ask the people in the know

The most direct method for finding out your supplier is to ask your estate agent, landlord, or your property’s previous owner to ask them about it. In most cases, your agent is the best place to start, because you might not always have contact information for landlords/prior owners. 

Your agent might not have the details but they can contact the previous owner or the landlord to find out for you. 

3️⃣ Method 3: Use the Energy Network Finder Tool

The other methods in this guide rely on information from other people. If you’d prefer, you can use the Energy Network Finder tool to take matters into your own hands. 

Image: ENA Electricity Operator Finder Tool

This tool allows you to search for the electricity distribution network operator (DNO) who is in charge of connecting your home to the grid. A DNO only handles energy distribution and isn’t the same as an electricity supplier. (Jump to the next section if you want to learn more). 

Once you know your DNO, you can contact them to find out who your supplier is.

Who is my DNO?

💻 Online:

1. Start by visiting the energy networks site.
2. Scroll down and enter your postcode, then hit ‘go’.
3. The next page will tell you your DNO and any relevant contact details. 

📞 By phone:

1. Call 105 for free in England, Scotland or Wales to connect to your DNO. (Call 03457 643643 if you’re in Northern Ireland)
2. Ask your DNO to tell you who your supplier is. 

4️⃣ Method 4: What about your gas supplier? 

If you’ve just moved in and need to track down your electricity supplier, chances are you need to do the same for gas. Your gas supplier will also put you on deemed rates if you’re not in contract with them, so you’re best off taking care of both suppliers as soon as possible. 

The good news is that finding your gas supplier is really simple. 

• Use the Find My Supplier tool
• Enter your postcode and select your house number.
• The website will show your address, your meter point reference number (MPRN), and the details of both your gas supplier and your transporter. 

Image: Find My Supplier Tool

It’s easy to confuse your electricity network operator with your supplier. Both are responsible for different aspects of the electricity at your address. 

Here’s an easy breakdown to help clear things up:

You don’t pay your DNO directly.  They receive payment through a Distribution Use of System (DUoS) charge, which is included in your energy bill. 

Once you’ve found your supplier, you can make sure you’re not paying expensive deemed rates for longer than necessary. 

• When you first move in, find the meter and take a reading. Even if you have (or intend to have) a smart meter, you should still take a reading to make sure your bills are accurate.
• Call your supplier and give them your details so they have accurate information about the liable party at your address. 
• They might offer you a new energy deal over the phone, but it’s best to research your options so you know you’re getting the best price for you. You’ll be on deemed rates until you agree to a new energy deal.

Deemed rates are usually the same as a supplier’s standard variable tariff.  These rates are usually on a rolling 28-day contract, which means your price can increase at the end of each contract period. 

The good news is that you’re not locked into your deemed rate. You can ‘cancel’ the rate and start a new one by agreeing to a new tariff with your supplier (or switching to a different one). 

Here’s the summarised version:

• Gather your meter reading and personal information
• Contact your electricity supplier and let them know you’ve moved in. You have to supply the move-in date to avoid being overcharged. 
• Arrange a new tariff with this existing supplier or switch to a new one. 
• You'll be on deemed rates until you switch to this new plan. Try to arrange a new deal quickly so you’re not paying more than you need to. 
  
  

You’re not obligated to keep using the existing supplier once you’ve moved in. You can shop around for a better deal by researching other suppliers and tariffs, or choose a more streamlined approach combining all of your bills into one easy package…

Option A: The DIY switch

If you’re happy to accept the hassle of managing different suppliers and contracts within your household, you can go for a DIY switch.

Visit an accredited energy comparison website and input your postcode to review potential tariffs. Look for the Ofgem Confidence Code logo on the site to make sure the website follows the energy regulator’s code of practice. You can usually switch without worrying about a delay or a long switching process – the new supplier will contact your existing one and make the switch for you. 

Tenants: Check your tenancy agreement to see if your landlord lists a preferred supplier. If your landlord bundles bills into your rental payment, then they get to choose this supplier. If you pay your energy bills directly, you’re free to make your own choice. 

It’s considerate to inform your landlord, but remember that it’s well within your rights, and you shouldn’t be charged an exit fee unless it was explicitly included in the terms and conditions of your tenancy. 

Option B: The all-in-one solution

A bills package is a good option if you don’t want to handle setup, and prefer to simplify your finances long term too. 

One Utility Bill bundles your choice of utilities into one, simple monthly payment with the option of Unlimited Energy. The team will also handle setup with suppliers for you, so you don’t have to deal with any of this! 

Get a quote and create a custom package with your choice of:

• Unlimited or capped energy
  • Energy is the only service you have to include in your package
• Water
• Broadband
• TV Licence
• TV Package

When you’re moving into a new home, whether buying or renting, it can save tons of admin time and take the setup off your to-do list.