Moving house electricity guide

If you're moving house, one of the many things you need to take care of is transferring your electricity account. This can be a daunting task for some or something that is overlooked, but don't worry - we're here to help! In this guide, we'll walk you through the process step-by-step so that it's easy for you to follow. We'll also provide some tips on how to save money on your electricity bill during and after your move. Let's get started!

7 essential house electricity tips discussed in this blog: 

1. How to change your address with the electricity company
2. What to do if you are in a share house
3. What to do if you're moving into a new house
4. How to get your electricity set up in your new home
5. What to do if you're moving out of a house and need to cancel your electricity contract
6. Tips for reducing your electricity bill
7. What to do if you feel that you have been treated unfairly

How to change your address with the electricity company

Moving interstate can be a daunting task, but changing your address with the electricity company doesn't have to be. Here's how to do it:

1. First, you'll need to gather some information. You'll need your current address and account number, as well as your new address, documents of identification and contact information.
2. Once you have that, simply call the electricity company or go online to their website. They'll ask for your current address and account number so they can locate your account, and then they'll ask for your new address. They may also ask for your new contact information in case they need to reach you about your account.

That's it! Once you've provided them with your new address, the electricity company will take care of the rest. Your service will be transferred to your new home without any interruption, and you'll start receiving bills at your new address. As you can see, changing your address with the electricity company is easy, so there's no need to stress about it when you're moving.

What to do if you are in a share house

If you are the account holder in a share house and you are moving out, then you will need to inform your electricity supplier of the change of name of the account holder. This is important for you so that you are not being charged for the electricity that others are using. Give the supplier as much notice as possible so that the changeover can be affected.

What to do if you're moving into a new house

Moving into a new house is an exciting time, but it can also be a bit overwhelming (especially if it’s not a home you built). There's so much to think about, from unpacking all your boxes to figuring out how to work the hot water heater. One thing that's often overlooked is electricity. If you're not careful, it's easy to accidentally overload the circuit and so trip a circuit or safety switch.

Here are a few tips to help you avoid any electrical problems in your new home: 

1. First, take a look at your power box and familiarise yourself with the different circuits. Make a note of which ones are for heavy appliances like the fridge and the oven, and which ones are for light fixtures or outlets. If it’s not labelled, once you have all your main electrical items connected you can then do some testing by turning it off (make sure critical items like computers or TVs are off, so you don’t do any damage or lose any data) key switches in your box, then label this accordingly. That way, you'll know which circuit has tripped if there is a problem. If one of the circuits trips or your safety switch trips out, the best and wisest thing to do is call your electrician. Before you do this though, sometimes it’s just been overloaded, so to be sure (at your own risk) you can often turn the switch on and see if things run okay, as there might have just been a surge that is not normal.  
2. Second, invest in some power boards with an overload switch. This will help you avoid overloading any one circuit while providing additional outlets. It is better to invest in quality ones as they often come with warranties and they will also work as expected. 
3. Finally, if you're ever in doubt, just give your local electrician a call. They'll be able to answer any questions you have and make sure that your home is safe and up to regulation. Moving into a new house does not have to be as much of a hassle as you might think.

How to get your electricity set up in your new home

If you are moving by using interstate removals it is worthwhile being aware of the opportunity to shop around for a supplier particularly if you are not happy with your previous electricity supplier. The electricity market is deregulated in NSW, ACT, VIC, SA, TAS, NT and South East QLD, which means there is full retail competition and therefore a large number of providers to choose from. For regional QLD, and WA the market is regulated by the government so there is a limited or single supplier with essentially fixed charges. You will find a number of useful tools for price comparisons of electricity available, allowing you to make an informed and budget-minded decision.  

For your new home, you also need to be aware that there may be a connection fee since the home will not have been previously connected. Ensure that you give the supplier as much notice as possible.

Ensure that the supplier has open and free access to your power box and if you have any dogs or larger animals you will want to make sure they can get to your electrician. Unless you have a very friendly dog but still some people just are scared, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

What to do if you're moving out of a house and need to cancel your electricity contract

The first and most important aspect of this is to contact your supplier as early as possible so that your contract can be cancelled or transferred to the new property. Keep in mind that if you are moving with interstate removals your current electricity supplier may not operate at your new address. With this in mind, it might be an opportunity to shop around for the best prices (as outlined above).

Tips for reducing your electricity bill 

Your electricity bill can be less than you currently pay by doing a few simple things around the house. This can apply during both summer and winter and has cost benefits for you in addition to being a benefit to the planet. Here are some good ideas: 

1. One good idea is simply to get across to your family members that if they turn a light switch on, then turn it off if they leave the room
2. Turn off all standby modes on appliances
3. Regulate your hot water system down to 60ºc in summer
4. Monitor and minimise your usage of air conditioning
5. Have ceiling fans installed as they use less power 
6. Restrict usage of heating in winter rather than leaving it on 24 hrs a day 
7. Have solar panels and possibly a battery installed to offset power costs
8. Have LED or power-saving lights installed 
9. Turn off outside lighting unless security is an issue

What to do if you feel you have been treated unfairly

As a consumer, you have a number of options to use in ensuring you get a fair go with electricity suppliers. In Victoria, the Essential Services Commission is your number 1 go-to. Elsewhere the Australian Energy Regulator, the Australian Energy Market Commission and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission are all able to help you get fair trading in your electricity supply. 

Final takeaways on electricity at your new home

We hope these tips have been helpful. If you’re moving into a new house using interstate removals, be sure to follow the steps above to get your electricity set up and avoid any costly surprises down the road. And if you’re moving out of a house, remember to cancel your contract with the electricity company in advance so there are no interruptions in service. Finally, don’t forget that summer is a great time to reduce your electricity bill by making some simple changes like unplugging electronics when they’re not in use or turning off the AC when you’re not home. Let us know if you have any other tips for reducing energy consumption in the comments below! Happy moving!