Budget Energy NI: Tariffs, Reviews & Contact
Considering joining Budget Energy? We break down the supplier’s tariffs, reviews and more so that you can decide if Budget Energy is the right electricity supplier for your home.
Who is Budget Energy NI?
Budget Energy NI is a Derry/Londonderry based electricity supplier that was founded in 2011. It has gained more than 90,000 customers over the past decade.
In May 2020, Flogas purchased Budget Energy for an undisclosed sum. The supplier will continue to use the Budget Energy brand name and operating company.
In addition to providing electricity to domestic properties, Budget Energy NI also serves thousands of businesses and farms. The supplier even has a dedicated team that helps farmers find the best tariff to meet their electricity needs.
Budget Energy Tariffs
Budget Energy NI tariffs come in many different forms. The supplier offers both variable and fixed tariffs, as well as tariffs for Economy 7 meters.
Budget Energy tariffs also include options for various payment methods. Customers can either pay via direct debit, on receipt of a bill or by topping up a keypad.
None of the Budget Energy tariffs charges a connection nor installation fee.
Budget Energy tariffs for credit meters
In the table below, you’ll find the bill-pay tariff prices for single-rate meters. The standing charge, which is the price you pay per day just to be connected, is the same for each tariff at 8.008p per day (or £29.23 per year). Discounts are applied only to the unit rates.
Tariffs that are fixed for 12 months include a £40 exit fee, which you must pay if you decide to terminate the agreement early. If you move house, you can take your tariff with you to the new location and you won’t be charged an exit fee.
| Tariff name | Features | Unit rate | Standing charge | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 24hr | Standard | 17.857p per kWh | 8.008p per day | £600.65 |
| Direct Debit/E-bill | 2% discount | 17.5p per kWh | 8.008p per day | £589.23 |
| Budget Bonus | 12 months fixed + 6.5% discount | 16.69p per kWh | 8.008p per day | £563.31 |
| Budget Advantage | 12 months fixed + £100 credit | 18.67p per kWh | 8.008p per day | £526.67 |
| Budget Bonanza | 12 months fixed + 21% discount | 14.1p per kWh | 8.008p per day | £480.43 |
For the average household, the cheapest electricity tariff with Budget Energy is the Budget Bonanza tariff at around £480 per year. If you’re on the standard tariff, you could save £120 per year just by switching to the Budget Bonanza tariff.
Note that if you choose to pay for your electricity on receipt of the bill (rather than via direct debit), you will be charged a security deposit of £150. This is because you are consuming the electricity before you pay for it.
If you request bills by post (rather than online) you will be charged an extra £10 per year for this service. Customers on the Direct Debit/E-bill tariff cannot request bills by post.
Budget Energy tariffs for keypad meters
Budget Energy NI tariffs are also available for customers with keypad (or prepayment) meters. In fact, the majority of Budget Energy NI customers are on this type of tariff.
There are currently three Budget Energy tariffs available for customers with single-rate prepayment meters. The Budget Bonus tariff (which is the best prepayment option) charges a £40 exit fee.
| Tariff name | Features | Unit rate | Standing charge | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keypad Standard 24hr | Standard | 17.5p per kWh | 10.034p per day | £596.62 |
| Budget Bonus | 12 months fixed + £30 credit | 15.995p per kWh | 10.034p per day | £518.46 |
| Budget Booster | 12 months fixed + £60 credit | 17.5p per kWh | 10.034p per day | £536.62 |
How do Budget Energy tariffs compare to other suppliers?
Budget Energy claims to be a low-cost electricity supplier. But is it the cheapest electricity supplier in Northern Ireland? How do Budget Energy NI rates compare to those with other suppliers?
In the table below, we’ve compared the standard variable tariffs from Northern Ireland’s six electricity suppliers. Calculations were made using Northern Ireland’s average consumption figure of 3,200 kWh per year of electricity, according to the Utility Regulator.
| Electricity supplier | Estimated cost per year |
|---|---|
| Bright Energy | £527.31 |
| Budget Energy | £600.65 |
| Click Energy | £608.15 |
| Electric Ireland | £562.88 |
| Power NI | £570.88 |
| SSE Airtricity | £606.08 |
Budget Energy Reviews
On customer review site Trustpilot, Budget Energy NI has an average rating of 2.9 out of five stars. Budget Energy reviews reflect contrasting experiences, with 48% of the reviews having five stars (the highest possible rating) and 41% having just one star.
Only 12% of the customers that left Budget Energy NI reviews gave the supplier a middle-of-the-road score of two, three or four stars.
The less than 20 customer reviews left over the past year all reflect negative experiences with Budget Energy. This may not reflect the experiences of all Budget Energy customers, as people are often more likely to leave a review when they are upset rather than when they are satisfied.
From digging through the reviews, common complaints refer to poor customer service. It also appears that some customers were misled into joining Budget Energy because of a free credit bonus (usually £50 to £100). Once this credit ran out, they realized that it came at the expense of more expensive electricity rates.
“They sure know how to grab back that so-called free [£]100 electricity incentive.”
Budget Energy Top Up
Are you a Budget Energy keypad customer? Do you need help topping up your electricity meter? Let’s have a look at the different ways you can top up with Budget Energy NI.
Budget Energy top up online
It’s easy to top up your keypad online. To do so, just go to the Budget Energy NI homepage and click on where it says “Top Up Online” in the top right corner. You will then be directed to a new page where you will need to enter the last nine digits of your keypad number.
Use the app to top up
If you’ve got a smartphone, you can top up using the Budget Energy app. The app is free to download from Google Play and the App Store.
Top up by phone
To top up your keypad by phone, call Budget Energy NI on 0800 012 1177. You will listen to an automated recording with menu options. You should select Option 1 to top up your meter.
You will need to enter your 19-digit premise number as it appears on the front of your card. This number starts with 9826218001. You will also need to provide your bank details.
Budget Energy Fuel Mix
The following pie chart shows the fuel mix for Budget Energy.
While more than half of its electricity comes from renewable sources, such as wind and solar power, we hope that Budget Energy can take measures to increase this figure in the future. Many suppliers have already started to source 100% of their electricity from renewable sources.
Budget Energy Contact
Need to contact Budget Energy NI? In the table below, you’ll find the contact phone numbers for Budget Energy.
| Department | Contact number | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|
| Customer service | 0800 012 1177 | Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 11am-3pm |
| Complaints | 0800 012 1177 | Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 11am-3pm |
| Power cut | 03457 643 643 | 24/7 |
Depending on your query, we break down the best ways for you to contact the electricity supplier below.
To speak with a representative
If you need to speak with a customer service representative from Budget Energy NI, you should call 0800 012 1177. Representatives are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
When you call the Budget Energy NI customer service number, you will be prompted to choose from the following menu options:
- To top up your meter, press 1.
- To join Budget Energy, press 2.
- If you’re a customer with a keypad meter, press 3.
- If you pay via direct debit and want to discuss your account, press 4.
- If you’re moving home or want to submit a meter reading, press 5.
- If you’re a business or a farm customer, press 6.
- For anything else, press 0.
If you’re looking to top up your keypad meter or submit a meter reading, it’s quicker to do so via the app or online rather than over the phone.
You can also contact Budget Energy by sending an email addressed to TalkToUs@budgetenergy.co.uk.
To make a complaint
If you are unhappy with the service, you can make a complaint to Budget Energy NI by either calling the customer service line on 0800 012 1177 or by sending an email detailing your complaint to info@budgetenergy.co.uk.
You can also send a letter to the following address: Customer Service, Budget Energy Ltd Energy House, 30-32 Ballinska Road, Springtown Industrial Estate, L’Derry BT48 0LY.
Budget Energy NI will aim to resolve your complaint as soon as it is received. If the supplier can not immediately resolve it, you should receive a response within 10 working days. If your complaint can not be resolved within 10 working days, Budget Energy will contact you to agree on a time frame. It should take no longer than three months for the complaint to be resolved.
If you are not satisfied with how Budget Energy NI handles your complaint, you can contact the Consumer Council for support. You can reach out to this independent body by calling 0800 121 06022. You can also send an email to contact@consumercouncil.org.uk or write a letter addressed to The Consumer Council , Floor 3, Seatem House, 23-32 Alfred Street, Belfast, BT2 8EN.
Got a power cut?
If you’re experiencing a power cut, you should contact the Northern Ireland Electricity Networks helpline to report it. The number is 03457 643 643. This line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In the event of a power cut, you should also take the following action (if possible):
- Check to see if other areas are affected. Look at the street lights or ask your neighbors.
- Look to see if the trip switch in your fuse box is turned on. If it’s not, turn off all electrical appliances and attempt to reset it.
- Don’t open your freezer. Some can remain cold for up to 12 hours if kept unopened.
- Turn off electrical appliances that should not be left unattended. This includes irons and other devices that could present danger if they restart when the power returns.
- Check in on your vulnerable neighbors. Make sure they are warm and have sufficient food.