Powering up your new home
Congratulations, you have a brand new home! It goes without saying that you’re going to need to connect the power, so where do you start?
There are two key things to organise when you connect electricity and gas to a new home:
- Establishing a first-time connection
- Setting up a connection with an electricity and gas provider
Keep reading to find out what you need to do to make sure your home will be powered up for move-in day.
**NOTE** If you are building a new home, then this guide is for you. If you are moving house to an existing residence, with an established power supply, then read our guide on How to set up gas and electricity when moving home.
How do I arrange a first-time connection to my new home?
When you build a new home, to establish a first-time connection, you will need to arrange the physical infrastructure to supply electricity and gas to your house. If you are working with a builder, they will liaise with their electrical contractor and gas fitter to arrange this.
You (or your builder) will need to contact your gas and electricity distributor to arrange the new connection. If you’re installing gas, you’ll need to find out if natural gas is available in your area by calling the New Connections Line on 1300 001 001. If you do not have access to natural gas, you can arrange LPG (bottled gas).
In Australia, electricity and gas distributors own the distribution networks, or ‘the grid’, including the power poles and power lines and the gas pipelines that deliver power into your home. The distributors charge a fee to consumers to maintain the network, which you will be charged on your electricity and gas bill.
Your electricity and gas distributor is determined by the state you live in. Unlike your electricity and gas retailer, you cannot choose your energy distributor in Australia. You can find your energy distributor through this guide from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).
For a new build, your energy distributor will need to design and build a new connection. Once you or your builder has contacted them, they will provide you with a connection offer, which is the quote for the cost of the works, including any terms and conditions. The time it takes to complete the work depends on the complexity and type of connection you need, so it’s important to contact your distributor early to avoid any delays to your move-in date.
Installing a gas and electricity metre
After your new connection is created, you will also need a gas and electricity metre installed before you can connect your appliances. This process differs slightly between states. If you live in Victoria, you will need to contact your chosen retailer to arrange for a metre. In South Australia, Queensland or New South Wales, your builder can do this for you.
The retailer needs at least two business days’ notice for metre installations, although we recommend booking it in much earlier to avoid stressful delays.
Installing solar panels
In Australia, many new homes are built with solar panels to cut the cost of electricity bills and to produce cleaner energy. If your new house has solar panels, your solar installers will provide a smart metre that will record the amount of electricity you import and export.
Depending on the retailer you choose, you will get paid a certain rate for the electricity you export back into the grid, so it’s important to do some research to find the best energy provider to make the most of your solar. More on that below!
Choosing the right electricity and gas retailer
Now that your connection is set up, it’s time for the important part: choosing your energy provider. There are a lot of energy retailers on the market in Australia, so choosing the right one can be time-consuming, and a little overwhelming, but you can make some big savings on your energy bill, so it’s worth it!
There are some key things you should think about when choosing your retailer:
- Gas and electricity rates
Each retailer offers a different rate, and even a small reduction in the rate you pay can add up to big savings over the course of the year. You should also consider your household’s energy consumption habits and find a plan with rates to match them. If you use a lot of energy in the evenings and on weekends, look for a retailer that offers low off-peak rates.
- Special offers and bundles
A lot of retailers have special offers for new customers or seasonal offers that you can take advantage of. You will also find that most retailers offer a lower rate if you have your gas and electricity with them (and even broadband and mobile if they offer these services too).
- Solar feed-in tariff
If you have solar panels that produce more electricity than you use, make sure your chosen electricity provider offers competitive feed-in prices for the extra electricity you feedback into the grid.
- Customer service
It can pay to read the reviews about an energy retailer you are considering. A knowledgeable and easy to contact customer service team can make the world of difference.
If you would like some help and guidance to choose your ideal energy retailer, and someone to do all the hard work for you, contact Move-In Connect. Our panel of preferred suppliers offer some of the best electricity and gas deals in Australia, and our experts will find the perfect plan to suit your needs. We can also arrange your new connection to be ready for move-in day, so you don’t have to worry about a thing!
Urgent connections
There’s a lot to organise when you are building your new home, so if something like your energy connection has slipped off your to-do list, don’t worry, you’re not the first! Most energy retailers can offer same day or 24-hour connections for an additional fee. Call Move-In Connect on 1300 786 045 and we can help you arrange an urgent connection.
Next steps
If you have more questions about getting your new house connected to electricity and gas or you need help finding the best energy retailer for you, give us a call today and talk to an expert on 1300 786 045.