Arranging a meter change is simple, but it’s a good idea to make sure a pay as you go meter is the best option for you. If you have a credit meter, we’ve got lots of great ways you can pay your bill, and other ways to help you manage your bills such as registering for an online account.

Things to consider before installing a pay as you go meter

Before you book an appointment to change your credit meter to a pay as you go meter, there are a few things that you need to think about first:

• Make sure your meter is in a safe and practical position.  
  We’ll install the pay as you go meter in the same position as your current meter. You should be able to access your meter easily, so if it’s high up on the wall or in an awkward position then you may have difficulty topping up.
• You’ll need to be able to top up your meter on a regular basis. 
  If you run out credit on your pay as you go meter, your supply will go off. This may be difficult if you currently rely on a neighbour or friend to go to the shops for you, especially in the colder winter months when you’ll be using more energy.
• You’ll need to make sure you top up your meter with enough credit to cover both your usage and to pay back any debt repayments we’ve agreed with you. 
  If you run out of credit, your supply will go off until you top up your meter.

Arranging an appointment

To book an appointment, please contact us and one of our expert advisers will be able to make sure that a pay as you go meter is the best option for you. If you’re happy to go ahead, we’ll arrange an appointment date with you over the phone. 

Is there a charge to install a pay as you go meter?

There’s normally no charge for installing a pay as you go meter. However, there may be occasions where you’ll be expected to pay (such as if you’ve already had one meter change in the last 12 months or if you’ve missed the original appointment).

What you'll be paying

The price you pay for electricity will be the same. However, you could pay up to £25 a year more for gas. This is to cover the additional metering and supply costs involved with pay as you go meters.

By switching to a pay as you go meter, you won’t be able to benefit from the discounts available from our other ways to pay. For example, you can get up to £92 off if you pay by monthly Direct Debit and choose paperless billing.**

Transferring a debt to your pay as you go meter

If you’re changing to a pay as you go meter because you’ve got a debt on your account, we can transfer this balance onto the meter.

We know that everyone is different, so we’ll talk to you about your ability to pay the weekly debt repayment amount. We can help come to an arrangement that suits you.

This repayment amount will be taken each week from your pay as you go meter. If there’s not enough credit on your meter to cover this debt recovery and your normal electricity or gas use, it will go into emergency credit.

Please note: If you have a Green Deal agreement in place, any prices or discounts quoted do not include your Green Deal payments.

**Pay by Direct Debit and get an annual discount of £40 per fuel, deducted from your standing charge. Choose paperless billing and get an annual discount of £6 per fuel, deducted from your standing charge - the following tariffs are excluded: energyplus Care, M&S Energy, Woolwich Domestic Heat, EDN, EBICO and all prepayment meter customers. These discounts are inclusive of VAT.