Moving can be a stressful time as you balance organizing, packing, and a myriad of other chores. One critical task that must be completed for a successful move is transferring your electric service to your new home.
But this process doesn’t have to add any stress to your moving experience. Follow Payless Power’s simple tips to transfer service to your new address, so your power is up and running by the time you’re ready to settle in.
Plan Ahead: Give Notice in Advance
The first step in transferring your electric service is to notify your current provider regarding your move. It’s best to provide notice 14 days in advance, but if you’re in a time crunch, most customer-friendly utilities offer standard connection in two to three business days or even priority same-day connection.
When you call to notify your provider of your move, they will be able to tell you whether they provide service in your new area. If you’re moving outside your provider’s service area, you may need to consider switching utility providers [link to new “switching electricity providers” landing page]. However, if you’re remaining in your provider’s service area, there’s no need to switch companies – they can simply cancel electricity service at one address and start it at the other.
Before you contact your energy service provider, have your account number (typically found at the top of your bill) and the address for your new home handy to ensure a smooth and easy conversation.
Completing the Energy Transfer Process
After you provide notice, a few additional steps need to be completed to transfer your electricity service:
Pay your final balance. Making outstanding payments allows you to finish out your time with your energy service provider and ensure there are no lasting repercussions or additional charges for the delay. Failure to pay outstanding balances can negatively affect your credit score, so settling up will ensure your financial track record doesn’t take a hit.
Set up disconnection. You’ll need to give your provider a date of disconnection so they cancel electricity service at your old address, but be sure it’s a day or two after your actual move. This way, the power is still on if you forget something and have to make an unexpected trip back to the old house.
Get a refund on your security deposit. While Payless Power offers no-deposit energy service plans, other providers may charge a fee for initial setup. If your service provider required a security deposit when you set up service at your old residence, be sure to ask for any refund due to you. If you have paid the full amount of your bills in a timely manner you should be entitled to get the deposit back, as it is meant to cover any losses suffered by late or inadequate payments. You should also ask if there is an unpaid balance or disconnection fee associated with your account, so you can prevent any surprise bills.
Schedule new service setup. It’s safest to schedule your new service activation a few days before you arrive at your new residence, so you’ll be sure to have working lights and air conditioning during your move-in. Unboxing and organizing is much easier with the power on!
Setting Up Electricity at Your New House
Since most homes are now equipped with smart meters, you don’t have to physically do anything to set up electricity at your new house – the service provider can turn your power on remotely. If you do run into any issues, contact your provider right away so they can troubleshoot and find the source of the problem.
As you settle into your new home, consider performing a Home Energy Audit. This is an assessment to help you achieve optimal energy efficiency so you can cut your annual energy expenditures. Schedule to have an expert come and test your house to identify any leaks or problem areas you may want to address. The audit can be as short as thirty minutes or take a few hours. Some companies will offer these assessments for free, making it even more important to take advantage of them.
Another way to cut energy costs is to switch over to a prepaid electricity service plan. This type of plan allows you to pay up front to receive energy, and only supplies you with as much energy as that initial payment covers. When it is used up, you can put down another installment. This makes it easier to manage the cost of energy and doesn’t require a deposit or credit check.
Transfer Electric Service Smoothly with Payless Power
There is a lot that goes into moving, but researching and preparing for it will help you save time and money. And while the process of transferring utilities can be a bit meticulous, following the steps above will help you eliminate one of the big worries of moving so that you can focus on other parts of your relocation.
Payless Power can also help you seamlessly transfer electricity service to your new home with flexible plans, low rates, and a customer-centric approach that ensures you can power your life efficiently and affordably. Learn more about what sets Payless Power apart from other service providers, or find a plan and begin a smooth service transfer today.
