In addition to arranging the furniture, moving into a new home also involves making a number of practical decisions. One of these is choosing an electricity contract and selecting the right package. Considering a few key questions beforehand can help you better understand both your future energy consumption and potential costs.
Ask for the previous owner’s experience
If you are buying a home that has been lived in before, it is worth asking the previous owner for some basic information. It is most helpful to know the annual electricity consumption of the property in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This provides a good reference for the costs you might expect.
It is also worth checking which heating system is in use – whether the home is heated by electricity (for example, with a heat pump or electric heating) or connected to a district heating system. The energy performance certificate of the building is another important piece of information, as it gives an indication of the energy efficiency of the building. For instance, homes with an A energy rating often have energy-saving solutions in place, or even solar panels, which can help reduce electricity costs.
Consider the main electricity consumers of your home
Before choosing an electricity package, it is worth assessing which appliances in your new home will use electricity on a daily basis. Common appliances include the washing machine, dryer, fridge, lighting, electric stove and oven, television, computers and domestic robots.
However, electricity costs can also be significantly affected by larger appliances and systems, such as underfloor heating, water heaters, air-source heat pumps, electric saunas or charging electric vehicles. If these are used frequently, it is particularly important to choose your electricity package carefully.
How flexible is your energy use?
Choosing an electricity package largely depends on how flexibly electricity can be used in your home. It is worth considering whether most appliances need to run at all times regardless of cost or if their use can be scheduled.
For example, the washing machine and dishwasher can be run later in the evening, while cooking or using the sauna can be reserved for weekends when both electricity exchange prices and network tariffs are lower. At the same time, some appliances in the home must run continuously, such as the fridge or the heating system.
Fixed, exchange or dual-tariff package?
If you want a stable and predictable electricity price, the Fixed package is the most suitable for you. This means that the price of electricity is not affected by market fluctuations and your expenses are more easily forecasted.
If you are willing to monitor electricity prices and schedule your consumption accordingly, you could consider the Exchange package. In this case, you will benefit from managing your electricity consumption during hours with lower exchange prices.
If the use of larger appliances can be scheduled for late evenings or weekends, a dual-tariff package, where electricity is more affordable at night than during the day, may also be suitable.
Many people have decided to switch their electricity package twice a year, opting for an exchange package in the summer and a fixed package during the heating season. For such customers, Enefit has introduced the Seasonal Secure package. Under this package, affordable green exchange price applies from April to September. From October to March, when exchange prices can rise significantly, a fixed price provides peace of mind. In addition, the Seasonal Secure package also includes an insurance solution that protects electrical appliances against damage caused by lightning, electrical failures or overload.
First step: concluding a network contract
If your new home has been purchased from a previous owner, the first step is to conclude a network contract with Elektrilevi, which gives you the right to use the electricity network. This must be done within 30 days of the termination of the previous owner’s contract. If a new contract is not concluded within this period, the electricity supply may be disconnected and a fee will be charged for reconnection.
If the previous owner has not yet terminated their contract, the process of concluding a new contract can still be initiated. In this case, the previous owner must confirm the termination of their contract, and once the new contract comes into effect, the old one will end automatically.
After the network contract enters into force, you can conclude an electricity sales contract with your chosen electricity supplier. For more detailed information on what to consider regarding electricity and network contracts when moving, visit the Enefit homepage.
