Whether you are choosing a new energy provider because you have moved to a different region or if you are simply not satisfied with your current provider, there are 5 things you need to know. It is not something that should be rushed through because taking the first offer you get from a provider may not always be your best option.
Keep in mind that not all suppliers are the same. They will have different plans, different costs, and various fees. Let’s check out what you need to know so you can make an informed decision on which provider you go through as your new supplier.
1) Check For Early Termination Fees
One thing that many people forget about when they are changing service providers is the amount that your current service provider will charge them for ending the contract early. The fees they charge should be in the papers you have, but if you cannot find them, simply ask when you call them to disconnect.
When talking to them about disconnecting your energy, let them know if you are doing it because of a move. Sometimes the company will let you out of the contract early if they know it is because you are moving to a new area.
On the other hand, if you are switching because you are not happy with them, feel free to explain it to them, but you can expect to have to pay the fees they have listed in the contract you agreed to.
2) Compare Energy Providers
As mentioned, you never want to sign the first offer you receive. You will want to go to an online comparison site that will take some basic information and send you some offers. All you will need to do from those offers is go through them and compare electricty providers in your area that are willing to work with you.
Read through each offer and compare the rates they offer you for the services they have listed. Don’t pick the cheapest one just because of the price because it may not be a good service at all. Check both aspects, price, and service, and then place a few aside that you may want to work with.
3) Read Through The Entire Contract
Now that you have a few possibilities set aside, you will need to read through the entire contract. Look for anything that may affect you in a negative way, such as added fees or stipulations. Anything that does not seem right to you probably isn’t. Find the one that you feel will best fit your needs, that has a reasonable price for their services, and that will not gouge you with added fees for every little thing that may come up.
Each contract will be a little different, so do not skim through them. Find a quiet place and read them from front to back, and never leave out the fine print that may be included, even if you need a magnifying glass to see it.
4) Research
The top suppliers from the offers you may consider will need to be researched before signing any contracts. Online reviews and discussions can tell you a lot about a company, especially if it is not the best choice. People will almost always go out of their way to tell a story about a company that has wronged them, so keep that in mind.
There will always be some that are never happy. On the other side, you will find excellent reviews by paid writers. When reading reviews, ignore the best and the worst and read in between to find out the real truth about the company.
5) Time To Disconnect
Some providers will want to know a month out about your plan to switch their service off, while others will only need a couple of days. Either way, when you tell them to shut it off, give them the date after you must be moved out of the old place. Otherwise, you will end up trying to clean and move in the dark and the cold. Never wait until the last minute to make the changes.
Final Thoughts
The one thing you may not have thought of when you switch providers is that you may be required to pay off any back bills, if there are any, before they turn it off. Yes, that does not seem fair, but it is how it is. You will also be asked to pay your final bill when it is shut off, which you must do if you want to keep your credit score good.
Other than that, once you have found the service provider that works the best for you, sign the contract and move on to better things, like taking a nap.
