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 have a cuppa a a well-earned binge watch in your new home, you need to sort out your electricity supply (unless you’re in a tenant with a ‘bills included’ or ‘all-inclusive’ rental agreement, where it's your landlord’s responsibility to arrange and pay suppliers). 

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

‘Deemed rates’ are out-of-contract rates and usually a lot more expensive  in-contract prices from your supplier.  The quicker you can arrange a new contract, the better.

OR you could go for a bills package and let somebody else deal with utility set up for you 👀

If you do want to handle the admin yourself, here's a full guide to figuring out your supplier situation so you know what you're doing. You can solve your supplier problem in four different ways.

How to answer ‘who is my electricity supplier?’

• Add energy to your bills package so you don't need to worry about it.
• Check to see if your supplier has been in contact, usually via post. 
• Ask your estate agent or previous owner, if you're buying, or letting agent, landlord or previous tenant if you're renting.
• Use the Energy Network Finder Tool.
• These methods will obviously also help you find your gas supplier, which is often the same company.

Let’s take a look at the most efficient ways to find who supplies electricity to your new place. 

NOTE:  Find your electricity meter and take a reading or photograph for future reference before you do anything else in your new home. You'll need this later. 

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

If you’ve just moved into a property, you might have stepped over important information about your supplier already. Check the mail by the door, or a postbox if there is one, to see if there's anything addressed to ‘The Occupier’.  These are likely to be from the current energy supplier for this address! 

It’s also worth looking for any welcome packs or handover documents the previous owner, tenant, or landlord left for you. These are also likley to contain info about your electricity supplier. This is a courtesy rather than a requirement, so don't worry if you don't see one.  

2️⃣ Method 2: Ask around

If it's easy to get in touch with them, your estate agent, landlord, or the property’s previous owner will have this info for your. In most cases, your agent is the best place to start, 'cause you definitely have their contact info.

If they don't have the details, they can contact the previous owner or the landlord to find out for you. 

3️⃣ Method 3: Use the Energy Network Finder Tool

The quickest and most direct way to find your supplier is the Energy Network Finder tool to take matters into your own hands.  

It looks a bit like this:

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.

4️⃣ Method 4: Avoid admin with a bills package

A bills package is a quicker, more convenient way to set up and pay your bills for your new home. Choose your services, and add a payment method and someone else will handle setup with your utility suppliers, that includes energy plus your choice of broadband, TV and water.

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. Once you're connected, you can ask your DNO to tell you who your supplier is. 

5️⃣ Method 5: What about your gas supplier? 

If you're tracking down your electricity supplier, chances are you need to do the same for gas. The same applies for deemed rates with your gas supplier, so it's best to get both into contract rates ASAP.  

Thankfully this is just as easy as finding your electricity supplier. 

• 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 supplying electricity at your address. 

Here’s a breakdown:

You don’t pay your DNO directly.  They're paid  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 overpaying with deemed rates for too long.

• 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. 
• Research your options before you agree to a new energy tariff. They might offer you one on the phone but you'll want to know you're on the best deal. 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 don't have to keep using the existing supplier once you’ve moved in. You can research other suppliers and tariffs to shop around for the best deal, choose a more streamlined approach combining all of your bills into one easy bills package…

Option A: The DIY switch

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

Visit an accredited energy comparison website and enter your postcode to look at available tariffs. You can usually switch pretty quickly and easily, 'cause the new supplier will contact your existing one and make the switch for you. 

🚨Important: Look for the Ofgem Confidence Code logo on the site to make sure the website follows the energy regulator’s code of practice. 

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. 

You can let your landlord know, but remember it’s well within your rights to switch suppliers, and you shouldn’t be charged an exit fee by your supplier 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 handles setup with suppliers for you too, so you can deal with the rest of your move. 

Your bills package includes 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.