Most homes within the UK tend to be connected to basic utilities like water, electricity, and gas beforehand. If you are planning on renting a house or an apartment in the UK, then there is a chance that your rental agent or the landlord might arrange the basic utilities for you.
However, if you buy property in the UK, then there would be a need for you to arrange these utilities yourself.
Electricity in the UK
It is important to be aware of the fact that the electricity voltage in the UK is 230V, i.e., 50Hz. This tends to be the standard voltage for Europe, but it also tends to be much higher than the other countries as well. Before you move in, make sure you recheck which appliances are best compatible with the voltage.
Moreover, another important thing you should be aware of is that the UK tends to use three-pin point plugs, which actually type G. This is similar to that of Cyprus, Malaysia, Malta as well as Ireland, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
A lot of countries tend to use the two-pin plugs, and they also might need to use the adapter to bring the appliances from their own homeland if they are moving from another country.
Electricity suppliers in the UK
It is important to know that the UK energy market is actually privatized. The largest companies in the UK which provide the utilities are around 6. They actually provide around 90% of the retail consumers along with more than three-quarters of the generation of British Electricity.
According to research, in recent years, there has been a chance for small and independent electricity companies within the UK to start attracting more customers. This means they would be providing somewhat better services or advantages to them.
It is your choice whether you want to go for fixed tariffs or for variable ones. Often, you can get a better deal by combining the electricity as well as the gas accounts with the same provider. This refers to a dual fuel account.
The main electricity companies in the UK
Here are a few of the main electricity companies within the UK:
- EF Energy
- British Gas
- E.On
- Npower
- Scottish and southern energy
- Scottish Power
However, you might also want to know about the smaller UK energy supplier as that information might come in handy.
- Bulb energy
- Octopus energy
- Green star energy
- Pure planet
- Utilita energy
- Cooperative energy
- Tonik
- Ovo energy
The type of supplier you select would obviously also depend on the area you are residing in, as all different houses have different suppliers.
Changing electricity suppliers in the UK
It is important to know that you wouldn’t have to stay with the same suppliers and energy providers if you move or if the previous tenant was using it on the property. You can switch to any other UK electricity company whenever you prefer.
A lot of residents within the UK tend to keep their existing energy suppliers when they move, and it can be done easily by just informing the suppliers about the new address.
Hence, changing suppliers is pretty easy and straightforward. It can be done over the phone or online as well. The thing you would need to know is the postcode.
Read more to find out about the electricity costs and gas suppliers in the UK.
Tariffs and electricity costs in the UK
You can also select many different plans for payments as you would obviously require to do some research about suppliers first. There are many options like the inclusion of the fixed monthly rates, as well as unit rates, capped rates, and prepaid meters as well. Every company has a different plan than the other, which you can obviously figure out through the website as well.
Carrying out electrical repairs and dealing with electrical faults in the UK
Power cuts aren’t unusual in the UK. They tend to occur occasionally, and if you experience them while living in the UK, make sure you check the street lights as well. If the entire area’s electricity is cut out, then you would have to wait for the UK electricity company to get power back up.
However, in case there is a power outage in your house, make sure you check the electricity box first and check if the switch has tripped. You can call the emergency number of the UK electricity supplier as well, whose number you might find on the website or on the bills as well.
Gas in the UK
Gas is another utility that is privatized within the UK. Generally, there are many companies that have started offering combination tariffs, including electricity and gas, together.
A lot of homes benefit from this as they mix the electrical and gas-powered facilities and indulge in central heating, and the cooking equipment can easily run on gas in the meantime as well. However, one should make sure that safety checks are performed all over, or at least annually.
Gas suppliers within the UK
Mostly, electricity and gas are provided in a combination of energy packages, so the suppliers of gas are almost the same as the suppliers of electricity. However, there is an alternative to the centralized gas supply.
You could use the gas canisters, which can be bought from camping stores as well as home improvement stores. They can be used for equipment like gas heaters and portable cooking equipment.
Disconnecting and connecting to gas in the UK
Similar concepts can be applied to gas as electricity. Gas should already be connected to the house you move into, and then you would be required to manage and transfer all the bills for the address you live in into your name.
In case you require a connection of gas, you would have to contact the local gas distributor or provider. If you know the names of such companies, you can always look them up on websites as well.
Gas tariffs and costs in the UK
The average cost of gas in the UK is around 3.8p per kWh, and it comes to around 24p a day. However, many companies tend to offer a combination of the energy tariffs; it is always best to shop around before committing to a separate gas supplier.
Conclusion
There are many providers of electricity as well as gas in the UK. However, it is important to know that many of the suppliers tend to provide combination packages which include providing both electricity and gas together.
In this case, the household can use both and pay the bill for both electricity and gas combined. However, this also depends on the area and preferences of the household members.
