Switching supplier

There are 5 electricity companies in Northern Ireland: Budget Energy, Electric Ireland, Power NI, SSE Airtricity, and Click Energy.

Each supplier will offer different packages, prices, levels of customer services and extras, so depending on your contract terms, you may be able to switch to a new supplier.

Use our electricity price comparison tool, where you can see if there is a cheaper or more suitable provider available to you.

Switching tariff

Your tariff refers to the amount of money you pay per unit of electricity or gas used. Suppliers offer different tariffs, and whist energy costs are high in Northern Ireland currently, there is some variation between suppliers. You could keep the same supplier, but change to a different tariff. 

Switching billing or payment method

You can pay your electricity or gas bill in several ways, such as:

  • Pay As You Go (PAYG) – this is where you have a pre-payment meter in your home that you top up online or at the shop
  • Direct Debit – having a monthly amount deducted from your account by your provider
  • Quarterly bill - receiving a bill by email or in the post every 3 months and paying upon receipt, either online or by phone.

You can also choose to receive your bill in different ways, such as by post or online, and sometimes there is a discount depending on what option you chose. 

Use our price comparison tools and tables

  • Gas price comparison tool

    Depending on where you live in Northern Ireland, you could save money by switching supplier, billing method, or tariff. Use our price comparison tool to make sure you are on the best deal for you.

  • Electricity price comparison tool

    You could save money by switching supplier, switching billing method, or switching tariff. Use our price comparison tool to make sure you are on the best deal for you.

  • Electricity and gas price comparison tables

    See all available electricity and gas tariffs in Northern Ireland and see if you could save by switching supplier, tariff or billing method.

Other help with household bills

  • Support with high energy costs

    There are advice agencies, grants and schemes available to help you with the cost of your home energy.

  • Energy efficiency

    Tips, tools and information to run your home more energy efficiently and save money.

  • Bills and metering

    Learn how to understand your electricity and gas bill, and how your meter works.

  • Budgeting

    Ways to budget better; helping you spend less and save more.