Setting up gas and electric with British Gas: 2025 moving home guide
Learn how to set up gas and electricity for the first time in a new home with our handy guide.
Updated on 14th August 2025 by:
John Evans, Commercial Director, British Gas Energy
In this guide
How to set up gas and electric when moving house
With all the excitement of setting up a new home, it can be easy to forget about your energy supply. But as a new customer, getting your gas and electric sorted is essential. Whether you’re renting your first home, a first-time buyer or setting up gas and electricity in a new build, there are a few things you’ll need to do.
Here we explain everything you need to know about setting up your gas and electric for the first time, from finding your meter and providing your first readings to sorting out the best energy deal.
Before you move house
(if you pay the bills)
- Let your current energy supplier know you’re moving. If that’s British Gas, we make it easy for you. Just tell us your address and moving dates
- Read your meters on the day you move out and give them to your current energy provider. Keep a note of your readings and the dates you took them so you can check them against your final bill
- Give your supplier a forwarding address so you can pay your final bill
Stay organised and stress free with our moving home checklist.
How to set up gas and electric in your new home
Use our checklist to help you stay on top of everything you need to consider when setting up gas and electric for the first time.
Useful links
1. Find your new home energy supplier
When you move into your new home, you’ll need to find out who already provides the gas and electricity. If the people who lived there before let the supplier know they were moving, you may get a letter addressed to “the Occupier” when you move in. If it’s a new build home, your housing developer should tell you who the supplier is. If you’re renting, ask your landlord or letting agent.
2. Find your gas and electricity meters
If your home is on a new housing estate, the builders or developers will be able to show you where everything is.
If you've bought your home from a previous owner, they or the estate agent should be able to give you all the information you need about your gas and electricity.
Note down or take a picture of the meter readings as proof of your energy usage. You should not be charged for any energy used by the previous occupants.
3. Understand what kind of meters you have
There are two main types of meters, and you can get smart meter versions of both. That may sound confusing, so let us explain.
- A credit meter shows numbers in a dial or digital form that shows how much energy you're using. You'll pay for your energy after you've used it, normally monthly or quarterly by Direct Debit.
- A prepayment or Pay As You Go meter will usually have a digital display showing you the remaining credit left on your meter. You'll pay for your energy before you use it and top up using a card or key at your local Payzone or Post Office. If you have a smart Pay As You Go meter, you can top-up with your debit /credit card online.
4. Give meter readings for your new home
When you move home, it’s important to read your gas and electricity meters as soon as you move in and give the readings to the current energy supplier. This makes sure you only pay for the energy you’ve used. The supplier will create a new account for you and answer any questions. If you’ve not taken readings before it can seem complicated. Learn how with our expert guide to reading all types of meters.
What if I can’t read my meters?
If you’re living with health difficulties, access needs or disability and can’t get to your meter to read it, your supplier can help. They might be able to send somebody to take a reading for you. Priority Services Register.
How do I know if my new home has smart meters?
About half of UK homes have a smart meter. Smart meters make it easier to keep track how much gas and electricity you’ve used.
If your energy supplier has told you that you don’t need to send them meter readings anymore because they are receiving automated readings, then you have smart meters.
If you have prepayment smart meters, you should be able to top up your credit online. If you can’t do this, then you may not have smart meters.
If you’re still not sure, speak to your energy supplier to find out what kind of meters you have.
You can also check if you have smart meters in your home and whether they are a first generation meter called a SMETS1 or second generation called SMETS2, using the links below:
5. Understand what tariff you’re on
When the previous occupier moves out, you (as the new homeowner) will be automatically transferred on to the current energy supplier’s standard tariff to maintain the energy supply.
A tariff is how much you’ll be charged for your gas and electricity. There are two main charges you’ll see on your bill:
- Unit rate - the cost per kWh of gas or electricity you use
- Standing charge – a fixed daily charge for being connected and having a meter. Learn more about standing charges.
A standard tariff has historically been the most expensive type of plan, with fixed-rate plans being cheaper. It’s worth investing some time in understanding the latest energy price news before shopping around to find the best energy deals for you.
6. Find the best energy deal
There’s lots to consider – from the best tariffs for electricity to the cheapest dual fuel deals. Learn more about how to compare energy suppliers.
We’re the UK’s leading energy provider, supplying gas and electricity to more than 8 million homes and businesses. And we’ve been around for over 200 years. Check out our gas and electricity tariffs online.
Our expert says
It’s important to take meter readings on the day you move out so that you have an accurate reading of the energy you’ve used. Keep a note so you can check them against your final bill.
Then give your readings to your supplier and let them know you’re moving. Include a forwarding address so you can receive and pay your final bill and, if you have the information, let them know who will be moving into the property and taking over responsibility for the bills after you leave.
If you’re on a fixed tariff it’s unlikely that you’ll be charged exit fees but check that with your supplier. If you’d like to take your existing account with you, that will depend on whether it’s possible to take over the supply at your new property but it’s worth asking if that would make things easier for you.
Compare British Gas tariffs and prices
And you can switch for free if we offer a cheaper fixed option later.
First time homeowner energy saving tips
Setting up a new home is so much fun, but can be expensive, so you may be looking to save energy wherever you can to cut costs, or simply help the environment.
- One of the simplest ways to save energy is turning your heating down by one degree from 20o C to 19o C (for example) which can cut your bills by 10%
- Reducing the boiler flow temperature on a combi boiler to 55-60 degrees can also save up to 6% on your energy use
- If you haven’t got them already, start saving with smart meters. Smart meters help you to monitor your energy use and make changes to help lower your bills.
Our energy saving tips guide provides lots of free ways to save on gas and electric in your new home.