In normal times the longer evenings and warmer weather means energy use and bills drop at this time of year.
But with ongoing restrictions due to COVID-19 reports suggest our home energy use has actually increased by up to 20%. However, increasing energy use does not have to mean increasing bills. So, it’s more important than ever to compare electricity prices and switch to a better deal.
With five electricity suppliers and over thirty tariffs switching to a new energy deal is the easiest way to reduce bills…let’s take a look at the best deals available right now in Northern Ireland.
What are the cheapest electricity deals available?
Over the last while several suppliers have introduced new offers and discount deals so there are real savings to be made. To compare electricity prices, we checked two scenarios – one comparing ‘tariff rates’ only and the other comparing ‘tariff rates + cashback offers’.
Prices have been checked against all five electricity suppliers in Northern Ireland – Budget Energy, Click Energy, Electric Ireland, Power NI and SSE Airtricity.
To get the most accurate results when comparing prices its best to enter your actual energy usage – this will be available on a recent bill or statement. But to give you an idea of the savings available we have used three household scenarios: low, medium and high energy use.
| Low | A low energy user will live in a small 1-2 bedroom property, 1-2 people, using heating and appliances occasionally. Home at evenings and weekends. |
| Medium | A medium energy user will live in a medium sized property with 3-4 people. Regularly use heating and appliances. Home at evenings and weekends. |
| High | A high energy user will live in a larger house, with 4+ bedrooms and 5+ people in the home. Regularly use heating and appliances. Home at evenings / weekends and sometimes all day. |
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.
Bill Pay
Pay As You Go
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.
Bill Pay
Pay As You go
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 – 21st May 2020
* Savings are calculated against Power NI Standard Rate Tariff
**Budget Energy 24Hr Discount is an exclusive on-line offer only available through Power to Switch
