Some utility suppliers will allow you to have a credit meter instead of prepay if you are prepared to make an upfront payment as a deposit - providing you are a good payer then this deposit is normally returned at the end of 12 months - but it can be several hundred pounds.
piglet47 - I disagree with your final statement - there can be large differences between suppliers tariffs dependent on length of "guarantee" and whether fixed or variable tariffs - just put the average consumption figures into a spreadsheet with different suppliers figures (or more easily an accredited comparison site!!)
For me using my current fixed tariff I could save ~ 3% (£40 pa) by moving to the cheapest currently available variable tariff with only a 3 month guarantee - or pay literally £300+ pa more by moving to the longest fix I could find !!

The "now" provider is actually the supplier to the previous occupier, so there is theoretically the issue of data confidentaility. If you can get that info, so much the better. if not go to the local REC/DNO/DLH (dont ask") , ignore the websites, and ask for a quote. You can then take that info and feed it into a website, but probably better to wait for at least a quarter. Typical consumption figures are based on the type of property, rather than the occupier. (That's how the supply network is designed!)

Despite what the websites say, if you ask for an online, direct debit tariff, the savings between suppliers are marginal.

The usage should be on the bills. She can go to a comparison site anytime (click on the orange "utility" tab at the top) and she can ask for a quarterly meter anytime. Sometimes, however, the supplier will refuse to swap a prepayment meter for a quarterly meter unless there is a good history of bills being paid on time.

Thank you for your reply.

Can she ask the 'now' provider to give her her useage over the year and then go to a comparison website to choose which is best for her to pay say by monthly direct debit?

If she has just purchased the houese (as opposed to rented it) her creditworthiness should be more than adequate to get a credit meter. The previous tenants/ownwrs are irrelevant (as with any credit rating).

These days, prepayment meters (unless requested) are for those who already have debts to the supplier. They add costs to the supplier as well as the customer, so are not the preferred option.

Some people find pre-payment meters cost effective because they know straight away if they've been doing something that uses a lot of power, rather than after 3 months of doing it. However, the electricity itself is usually more expensive than with standard meters.

If your daughter is willing to take meter readings and if she can understand her usage, then she should contact the supplier and ask for a quarterly meter. The supplier may refuse until she has some history (12 months?) of paying bills on time.

My daughters house had a pre-payment meter in when they purchased it.

Is this the most cost effective way to pay for gas & electric?

Can anyone inform me what they need to do to save noney as there is going to be an extra mouth too feed soon and money will be tight.