According to a survey conducted in 2020 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), nearly 40% of Australians move house every 5 years. While another survey claimed that one out of three Australians finds managing utilities such as gas and electricity during moving is the most challenging. Besides dealing with the logistical stress, updating addresses for electricity and gas connections is crucial.
A planned approach is crucial to reduce the stress during the moving process. From applying for a gas connection at the new address to making sure that the gas connection is discontinued at the present address, you have a few crucial tasks to perform. In the following section, find a step-by-step guide on managing your gas connection when moving.
1. Notify Your Gas Provider in Advance
You need to notify your gas provider at least 5 days before your move-out date. However, notifying 10 days before is highly recommended for a smoother experience. Notifying beforehand helps the provider deal with the following formalities.
- A final meter reading will be scheduled so that a final bill can be given to the customers.
- The provider will complete procedures involved in the supply disconnection.
- Final bill generation and asking customers to settle the bill obtain a new connection at the new location.
Notifying 5-10 days before moving out will help you to complete all formalities related to gas service disconnection with precision. At the same time, it ensures that you get the gas connection at the new address without hassles.
2. Choose a Gas Provider for Your New Home
Another crucial step is choosing the right gas provider for your new home. You can go with the current provider if it offers services to your new location. Alternatively, you can compare gas providers and pick an affordable service.
When choosing a new provider, you need to keep a few crucial factors in mind. Some of the factors are ongoing rates, connection fees, contract terms, and sign-up incentives. You must apply for the new connection at least 5-7 days before your arrival so that a timely installation can happen.
3. Choose the Right Gas Appliances
The next step is to choose the right gas appliances for your new home. Since you are moving to a new place, it is the right time to upgrade your gas appliances. Choosing energy-efficient appliances will reduce your monthly gas bills. At the same time, it is a small initiative that contributes to the preservation of non-renewable resources.
The best way of getting started is to create a list of appliances that you need for your kitchen. From the list, you need to segregate the appliances that are gas-powered. There could be some appliances that are not compatible with gas. Consider upgrading the old appliances with the new gas-powered appliances.
Appliances that use natural gas can significantly reduce carbon emissions. Grid electricity causes five times more carbon emissions than natural gas. Moreover, gas-powered appliances are more energy-efficient than appliances that operate with regular electricity.
4. Installation and Safety Checks
A team of technicians will visit your new location to install the new gas connection. You can schedule the installation as per your availability at the new residence. Keep in mind that the installation process could be time-consuming. Therefore, you must keep at least 4-5 hours in hand to get the installation done correctly.
Besides a seamless installation, it is crucial to check all safety aspects after the installation. The safety aspects include the following things.
- Test your appliances to make sure that gas is flowing smoothly
- Unusual smell? Report to the gas provider immediately
- After installation, you must procure a gas compliance certificate from the installer
5. Track Your First Billing Date
A gas connection installed in a new place from a new provider could lead to a change in the billing date. Tracking the billing date is essential to enjoy a continued gas connection. You can contact the service provider to learn about your billing date. Nevertheless, you can check the provider’s website to find the billing date.
When the bill gets generated, you should also check the details minutely. The gas consumption reflected on the bill should match the meter readings. You need to check whether there are additional charges which include the gas charge at your old residence. If you have settled all dues at your previous residence, the present bill should be corrected if it includes the dues of your previous address.
Apart from these, you should also check the promos and discounts carefully. Many gas providers in Australia offer eye-popping discounts for those who apply for a fresh gas connection. If you are eligible for certain discounts, make sure that your first bill reflects the same. Contact your gas provider if discounts are not applied properly.
Bottom Line
These are the items to include in your checklist to ensure a smooth gas connection transition when moving to your new home. Moving without planning the gas connection transfer could be challenging, especially when you have multiple home appliances that require gas as fuel.
Check different aspects and consider cost analysis if you want to get a new gas connection at your new home instead of transferring the existing gas connection. Select N Save is an excellent platform where you can find and compare top gas providers in Australia. Consult our experts to identify the cheapest gas plan for your new home.