With mortgage interest rates at historic, all-time lows, many people are choosing to move in the next year in order to take advantage of thousands of dollars in savings. Especially at a time when companies are also rethinking remote work policies, it can make a lot of sense to buy a new home or switch from renting to homeownership in the next year or two. That being said, even though 2021 and 2022 will likely be great times to move homes, there’s a lot of work involved with transitioning from one place of residence to another.
One thing many people don’t immediately consider when planning a move is the time and energy it takes to transfer your utilities. While you don’t need to understand how electricity is transmitted through power lines, it is important to recognize that you’ll need to have electricity when you move. Even though it can be tedious to work with your utility companies to make these switches, it’s obviously important—after all, you need power in order to actually use your appliances and get the most out of your new home! Below are a few tips to keep in mind as you move homes and electricity providers, ensuring that your move goes off without a hitch.
Use your move to compare rates in your area.
Just like you’ll likely use your move as a reason to do some spring cleaning and get rid of items you don’t need, it’s just as important to think of your move as a chance to compare energy provider rates. Different electricity companies may have different electric rates, and it never hurts to see if it’s possible for you to save some money here or there. Especially during a move, it’s likely that unexpected expenses may pop up, so always be sure to compare a few providers to see if it’s possible to cut your electric bill in half or even by 25 percent.
The internet makes it easier than ever to cut costs on a wide range of utilities, electricity included. Simply head to your favorite search engine and type in “electricity Melbourne” (or wherever it is you’re moving to) and see what sorts of possibilities there are. You may be surprised by the price a competitor can offer you when you become a new customer.
Consider what’s good and bad about each option.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options prior to moving, it’s a good idea to think about the good things and bad things about each electricity provider. Just because a company offers a cheaper rate doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best fit for you or your needs. Do some internet sleuthing and see what information you can get from Yelp reviews or reviews on their Facebook business page. This can give you some much-needed details regarding their customer service and how satisfied consumers are with them as their utility company.
Choose a date a day or two before you move for your power to be activated.
After you’ve picked the right energy provider for your new home, be sure to schedule a time for the power to be turned on at your new property. While you might think that the date of your move is the best time for power to be turned on, it actually makes sense to pick a date a day or two before your move. This ensures that even if there’s a problem turning your meter on, it can be resolved before moving into your new home. Since nobody will be living there for those few days anyway, it’s not like it will cost you anything extra on your first electric bill either.
