Compare Electricity Prices NI

• Standard Variable Tariff (SVT)

  This is the suppliers default tariff. Normally this is what you will be moved to when your deal ends. More often than not, this an expensive option, so if you find yourself on a standard rate tariff, we recommend you compare energy deals and consider switching to save money.

• Discounted Variable Tariff

  This is a promotional tariff. Ordinarily you will be paying a lower price with a guaranteed discount against the standard variable rate. For example, you might be on a 1-year term where you will pay 10% less per unit of energy (kilowatt hour) vs. the standard tariff. The standard rate can still change, but you'll always be entitled to your agreed percentage off.

• Fixed Rate Tariff

  Fixed rate tariffs are relatively new in Northern Ireland. As the name suggests, they fix the amount you pay per unit of energy for a set period of time. This helps protects you from electricity price increases, but on the other hand, will not benefit you if prices fall. Currently Budget Energy and Click Energy are the only electricity providers to offer this tariff type in NI. Typically, you'll fix a price for a 1-year term.

Pretty much all of the information you need to compare electricity prices can be found in your most recent bill, or in your online account. This includes;

• The name of your current electricity provider
• The name of the tariff you are on
• Your payment method
• Your energy consumption (per month or year, in pounds or kWh).
• The date your current tariff expires

All of this information can then be entered here, into our very own electricity price comparison tool.

In Northern Ireland there are fewer electricity providers to choose from than compared with the rest of the United Kingdom. But that should not stop you from getting the best electricity deal possible.

To do this, we would encourage you to carry out a full comparison of the six budget energy suppliers, bearing in mind your needs and wants as a consumer.

As these differ for each individual, there is no universal 'cheapest' electricity deal. Instead, it is about finding the cheapest deal possible, for you. Whether this is for a long-term plan, a short-term fix or an environmentally green deal – it all depends on what you want.

The tariff deals that are then available to you will be determined by various factors, such as type of payment (either credit meter, prepay, or online), your average energy usage, and the associated costs of switching providers.

To compare, we recommend using our price comparison tool for a personalised search to meet your needs and wants.

After you have chosen your new supplier and energy tariff, the next step is to confirm your switch. If we're connected to the new supplier, we can help you by collecting all the necessary information and beginning the switch. If we aren't connected to them, you will need to contact them directly to initiate the switching process.

After confirming your switch of energy provider, committing to a new contract and detailing how you will pay it, there is then a ten-day 'cooling off period' where you can cancel your order for any reason.

If you are switching to a different tariff deal with the same supplier, this process should be much faster as you're already an existing customer. Therefore, no 'cooling off period' is required.

Following confirmation of a customer's desire to switch, a switch-over date will then be arranged. Ordinarily, a switch to a new electricity provider should then be completed within 15 working days.

However, at no time will you lose your electricity supply. It should operate as normal throughout the transition process, and your new supplier will contact your previous provider to ensure you receive any final bill (given that you were a bill paying customer).

According to the Citizen's Advice Bureau, you have the "right to switch supplier if you pay your energy supplier directly". This is because the contract is directly between you as an individual, and the energy provider. Therefore, you shouldn't need to get permission from your landlord to switch - however it is a good idea to inform them if you intend to switch.

Additionally, you should consult your tenancy agreement to see if the landlord has a 'preferred supplier'. Again, this does not prevent you from changing, but may mean you have to return the account to the original supplier at the end of your tenancy.

All electricity providers in Northern Ireland allow customers to switch even if they are currently in debt. In fact, according to the code of practice for energy suppliers by the Utility Regulator, if you have less than £100 in debt, you should be allowed to switch.

However, the length of time you have spent in debt will affect your ability to switch.

If you have been in debt to your supplier for less than 28 days, you should be able to switch. If the debt has existed for longer than that, it will have to be repaid before the customer can move to a new energy provider.