Switching electricity providers - the best tips
Switching the electricity provider can be lucrative for you. We give you tips that you should consider if you want to change your electricity provider.
Good preparation when changing electricity providers is a must
There is nothing like good research. You should not only inform yourself about potential new providers, but also about your current electricity provider and your current consumption.
- It is best to take the last annual electricity bill on hand. Here you can see, for example, the basic price, the costs for one kilowatt hour or the annual consumption. Inquire now whether your current provider is planning an electricity price increase.
- Compare your current invoice with our CHIP comparison calculator with competitors. Here you will find the best offers - tailored to you.
- In another practical tip, we will introduce you to other comparison portals for electricity providers.
Keep your eyes open when buying electricity!
Comparing offers online is easy, quick and, above all, very convenient to do from the sofa. But not all offers are worthwhile or are recommended. Many electricity providers will lure you with bonuses. There are two stitches behind it:
- Most are providers where you have to pay in advance. Sometimes you have to pay the electricity price in advance for a whole year. These providers are rather not advisable. If the provider becomes insolvent at some point, you will no longer receive electricity and the money will not be returned.
- You often have to buy kilowatt packages. For example, you pay for a year in advance a package that includes 4000 kilowatt hours. As long as you don't get over it, everything is fine. If you come across this, you have to pay back heavily.
- Other providers promise bonuses that you will receive after one year of membership. The catch: Since you don't cancel, you stay in the contract for at least another year. So-called price guarantees are only valid for one year. After that, the provider can increase the prices and you end up getting more expensive.
- Compare electricity providers conveniently and clearly in our electricity price comparison calculator.
General tips when changing electricity providers
If you are looking for a new electricity provider, you should pay close attention to the offers. Read the fine print, for example, when bonuses are paid out or whether you have to pay in advance.
- In addition, a price guarantee is basically not a bad thing. The longer it goes, the better for you. Most electricity providers offer a one-year price guarantee.
- Feel free to ask your current electricity provider whether there are other tariffs that can save you money and inform them about the prices of the competitors.
- Make a note of the meter reading when changing and pass this on to the old and new electricity provider as soon as possible. The meter number is also required for a change.
- When changing electricity providers, you are not without electricity. The supply is regulated by law. Ultimately, the change of electricity provider is just bureaucracy.
- If you do not have to pay attention to every cent, you should not only make decisions based on price factors, but also choose the most ethical electricity provider possible. For example, electricity from new hydropower plants is much more environmentally friendly and sustainable than electricity from nuclear or coal-fired power plants.
Of course, you can not only save money by changing providers, but also by saving energy. We give you the best tips to save electricity.