Normally with the longer evenings starting to kick in we tend to use less energy in our homes. But with Covid-19 these are not normal times…with all of us spending most of our time at home our energy use will actually increase. So, it’s more important than ever to compare electricity prices and switch to the best deal.
With five electricity suppliers and over thirty tariffs switching to a new energy deal is the easiest way to reduce bills…so lets take a look at the best deals available right now in Northern Ireland.
What are the cheapest electricity deals available?
Over the last few weeks several suppliers have introduced new discounts so there are real savings to be made. To compare electricity prices we have provided two scenarios – one comparing ‘tariff rates’ only and the other comparing ‘tariff rates + cashbacks’. Prices have been checked against all five electricity suppliers in Northern Ireland – Budget Energy, Click Energy, Electric Ireland, Power NI and SSE Airtricity.
Tariff Rates Only
First up, tariff rates only – these offers do not include cashbacks or welcome credit so are based on the amount you will pay for each unit of electricity used. The price (pence per kWh) and amount (units) of electricity you currently use will be set out in your electricity bill or statement.
Tariff Rates and Cashbacks
Next, we compare ‘tariff rates and cashback’ offers that are available. Only cashback payments that are available within the first 12 months are included.
What about a fixed price deals?
At the moment two energy suppliers offer fixed price tariffs:
Click Energy ‘Instant Saver’ tariff is a 12 month fixed term offer which is available to both bill pay and keypad customers. Read more about this offer in our ‘Instant Saver’ blog.
Budget Energy ‘Budget Advantage’ tariff is also a 12 month deal and comes with £100 cashback – its available for both Bill Pay and Keypad customers. Find out more about the Budget Energy offer in our ‘Budget Advantage’ blog.
With fixed price deals, your tariff rate is set for the period of your contract, so you won’t need to worry about rising energy costs. The price you pay for certainty with a fixed price tariff is a higher unit rate to begin with – but this may suit people who don’t mind paying a bit more to have certainty over their bills for the next year – and if electricity prices increase they will be protected as they have locked in their price.
Are there other charges to consider?
A standing charge is a fixed amount that is added on top of your tariff rate to cover an energy supplier’s fixed costs – to pay for supplying your house with power.
Although all suppliers apply this cost two suppliers, Budget Energy and Click Energy, separate this charge out and add it to your bill on top of the tariff rate you pay. On your bill or annual statement, this will be listed as a separate charge and will be quoted as a pence per day charge – the standing charge remains the same no matter how much energy you use and adds between £30 – £40 to an annual bill.
All results on ‘Power to Switch’ already include standing charges so you can be sure comparisons reflect the total cost you would pay.
Helping you decide…
At ‘Power to Switch’ we compare all tariffs, deals and offers across all electricity suppliers to make sure you find the best deal. Switching is quick, hassle-free and means you keep more money in your pocket. You don’t even have to tell your old supplier you are leaving!!!
For more information, advice and support on energy issues visit www.powertoswitch.co.uk or follow us on facebook or twitter
(Prices checked and correct – 12th April 2020)
(*Budget Energy 24Hr Discount is an exclusive on-line offer only available through Power to Switch)
