Electricity: getting connected or switching

If you are moving into a property that has never been connected before, or one that has been disconnected for more than 2 years, you need to:

1. Choose a licensed electricity supplier for a domestic supply agreement. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) keeps a list.
2. Contact ESB Networks (ESBN) and give them:

• Your name and contact details
• The Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) and Maximum Import Capacity (MIC) for your new home – available from the builder or developer
• The address
• The name of your chosen electricity supplier

Your supplier will then ask ESBN to connect your property and install a meter. The builder's electrician will turn on the electricity supply in your home.

ESBN has more information about electricity connections for a new single house and electricity connections for new homes in a housing or apartment development.

The CRU has information on changing your energy supplier.

Your electricity supplier can charge a deposit. Each supplier has its own deposit policy, which must be fair, transparent and reasonable.

The deposit must be returned in your final bill after your contract ends (usually after 12 months).

Your supplier must tell you if you are at risk of losing your deposit and what you can do to keep it.

If you are on a low income and cannot afford to pay a deposit, check if you are eligible for help from your local INTREO office.

The CRU's Electricity and gas supplier’s handbook (pdf) has more information about security deposits (on page 33).

Moving out

If you are leaving a property:

• Contact your electricity supplier to let them know
• Give them a final meter reading
• Pay the final bill

Moving in

If your new home already has an electricity connection:

• Take a meter reading when you move in
• Contact a supplier to set up a new account

If you are renting, your landlord may have to contact the electricity supplier for you.

If the house is disconnected, you need to find out how long it has been disconnected. To do this, contact ESBN and provide your MPRN or meter number. If the disconnection has been:

• Less than 6 months - Register with an electricity supplier. They will organise reconnection to the network with ESBN
• Between 6 months and 2 years - Register with an electricity supplier and hire a registered electrical contractor to check the wiring and provide a certificate of completion to their approved regulatory body. When ESBN has received a verified certificate, your supplier can then arrange for reconnection.
• More than 2 years – Apply to ESBN for a new connection

ESBN has more information about reconnecting electricity supply.

If you are not happy with your current supplier, you can switch. As there are many suppliers to choose from, it is important to do your research to find the best option to suit your needs.

Before you switch:

• Check if you are in a fixed term contract. If you are, you may be charged for switching to another supplier.
• Check your current bill to see what your usage is, the average amount you pay and how payment is taken
• Find out when your current contract ends
• Use a price comparison website
• Try to renegotiate with your current supplier
• Make sure you have your MPRN number (located on your bill) and an up-to-date meter reading ready.

The new supplier will notify the old supplier that you will be changing over. The CRU has more information about switching supplier.

What if I change my mind?

You can cancel the contract within 14 days if you signed up over the phone or online. This is called a ‘cooling-off’ period. The cooling-off period is extended to 30 days if you bought at your doorstep.

Find out more about your consumer rights.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) regulates the electricity industry.

Suppliers must follow the CRU's Supplier Handbook (pdf), and have codes of practices covering how they will deal with consumers.

Every supplier must publish its customer charter and codes on its website. Read more about the regulation of utilities.

Who to contact depends on the issue.

Contact your electricity supplier for:

• Billing or account problems
• Marketing or advertising issues
• Changing supplier

Contact ESBN for:

• Meter problems
• Connection delays or costs
• Emergencies or outages

If you cannot sort out the problem informally, you can complain in writing to either your supplier or the network provider.

If you are not satisfied with the response from the provider, you can:

• Contact the CRU for information and advice, and if necessary, use its complaint resolution service
• Take a claim against the company through the courts using the Small Claims Procedure

CRU has more energy information in its dedicated customer information section.

Read more about:

• Paying your electricity bills
• How utility suppliers are regulated