Moving involves many steps, and choosing an electricity provider is part of the process. To avoid a nasty surprise when you arrive at your new home, it’s best to set up your contract before you get the keys. The choice of a plan depends on your household consumption, the service capacity of the meter, and your lifestyle.
Signing up for an electricity plan when you move
As soon as your new address is confirmed, you can search for a plan that fits your needs. By comparing rates and contract features, you can enroll in a more advantageous electricity plan. The comparison tool analyzes your consumption profile and the characteristics of your home.
Before you finalize your choice, several factors deserve your attention. Start by estimating your electricity needs. The size of the home, its heating method, its level of insulation, the production of hot water, and the number of occupants all influence consumption. The service capacity of the meter, typically expressed in kilowatts (kW) or amperage, should also match the equipment used in the home. In the United States, service size is commonly indicated by amperage (for example, 100 A or 200 A).
Next, review the tariff terms of the offer. Depending on the contracts, the price per kWh can be fixed for a given period or evolve according to a formula outlined in the contract. The tariff option is also a criterion to consider. With the familiar “off-peak hours,” part of the consumption can be shifted to the relevant periods, especially for programmable usages.
Once you choose the offer, enrollment is generally possible remotely. You’ll need to provide information about the home and the meter, then select the payment terms.
What documents to prepare for your move?
To facilitate enrollment, gather a few details before you begin your process:
- the full address of the new home, including apartment or unit number if applicable;
- the name of the previous occupant when known;
- the meter number or the account/ID for a smart meter, if applicable;
- the meter reading at the time you move in;
- a bank account details if you choose automatic payments (routing and account numbers).
Planning ahead of signing up helps you avoid rushing the process. With a smart meter, some operations can be completed without a physical visit to the home, making remote activation easier. If a visit is necessary, extra time may be required.
Finally, moving is a great time to review your energy habits. Once you’re settled, identify the most energy-intensive appliances to target your efforts. Heating, hot water, laundry equipment, and devices left on standby can weigh on your bill.
To go further, learn what your household devices actually consume and adopt a few simple habits as soon as you arrive.
Smart habits on moving-in day
As soon as you move into the home, remember to read the electricity meter and share the reading with your provider. This information helps distinguish the consumption tied to your occupancy from that of the previous occupant. It’s also wise to take a photo of the meter at your arrival. This reading can serve as a reference if questions arise about billing.
Also, remember to cancel your previous contract, indicating your move-out date. This prevents charges related to your old residence from continuing after your relocation.
Take the time to configure your online account and monitor your initial readings. You’ll be able to adjust the subscribed service level or the chosen tariff option. This is also a good moment to enable electronic invoices, choose a convenient autopay date, and review useful options, such as outage support in case of a network incident.
