How to change your energy and internet when you move

Moving home can be a stressful time, and there are quite a few things that will need to be changed when you arrive at your new home. This includes details with the kids' schools and the locks on your new home, as well as your address with service providers.

Your energy and internet will be high priorities on this list, as disruption can greatly impact your quality of life, but that doesn't mean you should rush through this part of the moving process. Since you'll have to make changes anyway, now is a great time to ensure that you're getting the best deal for your needs, and even if you're not switching, the process can be a little messy.

That's why today's article is all about handling your energy and internet during the move. We've broken it down into two main sections (assessing your needs and connecting your services) to help make things as easy as possible to navigate. 

The first thing you should do when you start organising aspects of your move that relate to your internet and power is assess your needs. Many people treat these services as set and forget unless they run into an issue, but checking up on your plan from time to time can help save you money.

It can also make life easier in many cases (streamlining services, bumping up your internet if needed, etc.) so it's definitely worth looking into. This doesn't mean that you have to switch providers when moving homes, but it is always a good idea to know what you're getting, and how it aligns with your needs.

Internet plans can be tricky, as your needs will often shift based on your lifestyle at any given point in time. Plus, you may find that you'll need to switch providers in order to get coverage in your new area, even if your internet requirements haven't changed.

It's also worth noting that the plans that are on offer now, will almost definitely be different to what was available last time you connected a service. This means that moving is the perfect time to update this part of your expenses.

Our sister site, WhistleOut, provides a free comparison service that finds the best deals for internet, phones and tablets, and even streaming services and pay TV to suit your needs. You can filter the options displayed so you only see relevant content, and there are even exclusive deals available for those who use the site. This makes it a great place to get a quick overview of what's available so you can make an informed decision. 

For most people, NBN 50 should be more than enough to cater for your needs. Below, you’ll see how much an NBN 50 plan will set you back with the cheapest providers.

The way that energy is configured within your home can change drastically when you move. For example, solar panels may come into the equation in your new home. Alternatively, you may be moving from a hybrid gas and electricity space to one that's purely electric.

For this reason, we suggest checking a comparison site such as Energy Made Easy to ensure that you've got the best product for your needs. This government initiative helps those in the ACT, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland find the right provider, but comparisons can be sought in any state.  

Be aware that rates and fees will possibly also change when moving to a new location. So even if nothing else is going to be different, it's still worth checking to make sure you're getting the best deal.

You'll want to have your energy and internet connected right from the start when you move into your new home. This means it's important to ensure that all of your ducks are in a row well before your move date. The process will differ depending on whether you're staying with your current provider or switching, so we've outlined both below:

Most providers will make it fairly easy to take your service with you to your new home - they want you to stay with them after all. The first thing you'll need to do is notify them of your move date and update your address.

From here the process will differ depending on who your provider is, but they'll send you clear instructions on how to make sure everything goes smoothly when you move.

This will generally include information about how to set your switch over date, confirmation of your new address and how to ensure any changes to your service requirements are covered. There will generally also be some fees for moving your service, however, some providers offer this service free of charge.

It's important to follow instructions closely and provide all necessary information in a timely manner in order to avoid any service disruptions. Having said that, you shouldn't have any issues, and customer support will be there to assist you if you do.

Switching to a new provider when you move will obviously be a little more complicated. This is because you'll need to get a new service connected at the residence you're moving to, while also having your old one disconnected.

The good news is that setting up a new service is more straightforward than ever, and the provider that you have chosen will work with you to ensure that everything is ready to go on the day that you move into your new home. This means that all you really need to do after the sign-up process is ensure that you have any physical items that will be required (such as a WiFi router that works with your new internet plan) and pay any connection fees that are applicable.

In terms of disconnecting from your old provider, most companies make this process straightforward, but it's important to make sure that you do everything exactly how they recommend it in order to avoid any problems or extra charges arising. Remember, straightforward doesn't necessarily mean easy.

As a general rule, you will need to select a disconnection date and finalise any outstanding bills, but you may also have to return equipment or ensure that the metre is available for a final reading, so be sure to check your responsibilities with this.

Finding yourself unable to turn on the lights, connect to the internet or cook dinner in your new home can be incredibly stressful. Especially if you rely on the Internet for work or school. So it's certainly not something you want to be without when you're also dealing with getting a new home set up. This article is designed to help you avoid these issues, and make the transition a smooth one, so follow the tips and enjoy your new home!