With the New Year kicking in many of us plan to lose a few pounds…but one of the easiest things you can do in January is to gain a few pounds – by switching energy supplier.
If you have never switched electricity supplier or its been a while (+1 year) then its likely you are paying more than you need to be. But switching to a better deal has never been easier – ‘Power to Switch’ makes it simple and quick to compare energy prices, save money on bills, find the best deal and make your money go that bit further in 2020.
How many electricity suppliers can I choose from?
There are currently five electricity suppliers to choose from for your home (remember NIE doesn’t supply electricity). The suppliers are Budget Energy, Click Energy, Electric Ireland, Power NI and SSE Airtricity. With around 30 tariffs to choose from there should be a plan to suits your needs.
Aren’t electricity suppliers all the same?
No, each electricity supplier provides a choice of tariffs and offers. They have a range of deals, billing methods and payment options which could save you money. Some companies offer an introductory bonus or cashback for switching to them, or a loyalty bonus for staying with them! Many suppliers offer a discount for the first year and there are tariffs which offer a fixed rate for the duration of the contract term – so again its about picking the deal that is best for you.
Could I save money on my electricity bill?
Yes, switching electricity supplier via ‘Power to Switch‘ can knock up to 17 per cent of your bill. For a typical home there could be a difference of around £105 between the most expensive tariff and best tariff available.
Even If you have changed supplier its still worth checking out other deals. Once any introductory term ends its likely you will be moved to a more expensive rate. Its also worth checking if you are on the best rate with your existing supplier as the difference could be anywhere between £30 – £80 for a typical customer.
Is it easy to compare deals?
Yes, its easy especially if you use ‘Power to Switch’. To find a better deal enter a few details on how much you currently spend on electricity (or how much you use) – an old bill or statement can help. If you don’t have these details you can still compare deals for an average home based on low, medium and high energy use.
Power to Switch will check all suppliers and tariffs to identify other available deals – as well as savings there is information on the energy supplier, any cashbacks or bonus offers, terms & conditions and supplier ratings.
What should I think about when looking at other deals?
There are a few things. Firstly the type of meter you have can determine which tariffs you can choose. The two main types are either a Bill Pay (Credit) meter or Keypad (Pay as You Go) meter.
Other things to think about…
- How you want to pay – (pay as you go, direct debit, cash/card or cheque)
- How you would like to be billed – (online/email billing or postal bills)
- What type of plan you want -(discount tariff or fixed rate tariff)
- Is there a Fixed Term e.g. 1 or 2 years (remember to check if there is an early exit fee)
- Are there any other perks, cashbacks or promotions
Is the switching process a hassle?
No, your new supplier will take care of the switching process – you don’t even have to tell your old supplier that you are leaving. There will be no interruption to your supply and no changes to your meter, wiring or connection. You also have ten working days to cancel the switch if you change your mind.
So get switched on and see if you can save money on your electricity bill. Power to Switch compares all deals and tariffs across all suppliers which makes choosing the best deal easy. To compare deals visit powertoswitch.co.uk or follow us on facebook and twitter at @PowertoSwitchNI
