Setting up utilities when you move

Moving into a new home, whether it’s a cosy apartment or your dream house, comes with a long to-do list, and setting up utilities is a crucial step to tackle before the big day. Imagine trying to settle into your new space without power, running water, or even the Internet - definitely not the ideal start to your next chapter!

Even if you’ve been through this process before, it’s not something most of us do regularly, and it’s easy to feel unsure about where to begin. That’s why we’ve created this handy guide to simplify the process of setting up utilities in your new home.

While it may not be the most exciting part of moving, it’s one of the most essential. To make things easier, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from contacting utility providers to scheduling installations.

Before you get started with packing, take a moment to review these practical tips for ensuring a smooth transition of your utilities when you move.

Transferring existing utilities

To begin with, before you relocate, it's important to familiarise yourself with your current utility service providers. It's a good idea to compile a list of these providers, noting down contact numbers and details in one convenient place.

Relocating to a new city or region often means you'll need to switch to a different utility company, but if you’re moving fairly locally, transferring your existing providers is the easier option. So, what tips do you need for transferring your utilities?

Contact your providers

Once you've gathered all your utility details, contact energy providers to inform them of your move. It's advisable to notify most providers at least two to three weeks ahead of time. For services requiring installation, such as Internet and security systems, aim to reach out a month in advance.

When arranging disconnection and reconnection dates for gas and electricity, consider scheduling disconnection for the day after your move or, if selling, on the closing day. This ensures that utilities like lighting and heating remain functional in case you need to revisit the property. If your new home is nearby, schedule the connection a day before moving so you can ensure heating or cooling is ready, especially in extreme weather.

Change your address & set up a reading

When contacting your utility providers, make sure to give them your new address to ensure all future bills are sent to the correct location.

Before you move, arrange for your utility providers to visit your home and take a final reading of the gas, electricity, and water meters.

To avoid any surprise bills after you've moved, be sure to keep a copy of the meter reading reports for your records.

Pay your existing bill before you move

Whatever you do, make sure you settle any outstanding bills before you move. When contacting your utility providers, simply enquire if there are any unpaid amounts.

If there are, ensure you clear these balances before moving, as settling these debts will also give you a fresh start and a clean slate in your new home.

Setting up new providers

If you’re choosing to set up entirely new accounts with new providers rather than transfer over existing accounts, there is a whole new set of things you need to do!

Contact Compare Energy

You’ll need to set up each utility separately, and it's recommended to begin the process at least three weeks before your move. Some utility setups may offer more flexibility, but it's best to give providers as much notice as possible, particularly if it needs to send someone out to install the service.

To get started, you can contact Compare Energy on 1300 790 106 to help you set up your energy services and get connected to the best providers for your budget.

Check that utilities are working correctly

Errors can sometimes occur when transferring, cancelling, or setting up utilities. To avoid any surprises, it's a good idea to confirm that everything has been properly handled, particularly if you don’t want to be charged for services you thought were turned off.

Verifying that utilities are working in your new home is fairly simple. If any utilities aren’t functioning as expected, contact the provider immediately. If it’s the provider's mistake, it can often expedite the process and have the service restored quickly.

For utilities you've cancelled, double-check your account to ensure it was turned off as scheduled. If you can’t find this information online, call the company to confirm, and make sure to note down the name of the person you speak to, just in case.

Review your first and final utility bills

Utility bills can be tricky when moving. Some providers may charge a transfer fee or additional costs for setting up new services. You should also expect a final bill for any utilities you've cancelled, which should be prorated to cover only the usage up until the cancellation date.

In some cases, you may even be due a refund, such as for prepaid trash collection. Even if you’ve set up automatic payments, it's important to review your first and final bills to ensure everything is accurate. Always double-check that the charges are correct.

Moving to a property with solar panels

If you’re moving into a home with solar panels, you could benefit from significant savings on your energy bills. Solar panels harness the power of the sun to generate electricity, reducing the amount of energy you need to purchase from the grid. This means you'll rely less on the local power supply, potentially lowering your monthly electricity costs.

In addition to the savings, solar panels can also allow you to take advantage of feed-in tariffs. These are government schemes that pay you for the surplus electricity your panels generate and send back to the grid. This can be a great way to earn money from your renewable energy system.

When notifying your energy provider about your move, make sure to inform them that your new home has solar panels. It may be able to set you up with a new contract that includes a feed-in tariff, allowing you to earn credits for the excess energy you generate.

If you’re moving your solar connection, it’s also important to ask about transferring any government incentives or rebates tied to the system. This ensures you don’t miss out on any ongoing benefits or financial support available in your new location.

What you should do when moving interstate

If you're planning to move interstate within Australia, it's important to be aware of how energy regulations vary across different states and territories. The energy sector is regulated differently in each region, so understanding the specific rules where you're moving will help you navigate the process.

For example, in New South Wales (NSW), the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Victoria (VIC), South Australia (SA), and Southeast Queensland (QLD), the energy market is deregulated, meaning there is full retail competition. In these areas, the government has opened up the energy market to competition, allowing you to choose your energy provider. This deregulation gives you the freedom to compare and switch providers, potentially helping you save money.

However, the situation is different in regional Queensland and Western Australia (WA), where energy markets are regulated by the state governments. In these areas, the government sets the prices, and customers can't choose their energy providers (except in Perth, where gas is deregulated).

The government controls prices to ensure that customers in these regions aren’t charged excessively high rates, which can occur due to the higher costs of servicing more remote areas.

In the Northern Territory (NT) and Tasmania (TAS), full retail competition is also in place, but the range of providers available is more limited compared to other deregulated states.

As you might expect, energy prices can vary significantly between regulated and deregulated markets, and even within deregulated markets. Therefore, your energy costs could change depending on where you move.

To learn more about energy regulations in Australia, make sure to research the specific rules and providers in your new location.

How long does it take to set up energy connections?

The time it takes to connect electricity and gas can vary depending on the provider, and we’ve got everything you need to know about that in this article.

Some energy companies can have your electricity connected within one business day, while others may require two or more days. Gas connections usually take a few days to arrange. It's important to note that connections are typically only available on business days, so weekends and public holidays are excluded.

If you require an urgent connection, you can compare energy plans through Compare Energy online to see which providers can be set up fastest in your new home.

Is there a connection fee for electricity when moving house?

When moving into a new home, there may be a connection fee for both electricity and gas, depending on the provider and the type of contract you choose. This isn’t the case for every provider, either.

This fee is typically added to your first bill once the service is activated at your new property. The cost can vary widely between different energy providers and the specific plans on offer.

Compare your energy with Compare Energy

To ensure you're getting the best deal and to manage your budget effectively, it's essential to compare different energy providers and plans before committing. Some providers may charge higher connection fees, while others may include the cost as part of a standard package.

For a quick and smooth connection process, consider calling Compare Energy. Our team can help you find the best provider for your needs and guide you through the connection process.