Utilities companies across the UK have been heavily criticised in the press recently for the continued high price of household energy supplies, despite the fall in gas prices; now, PowerNI has decided to address these concerns, announcing its plans to cut prices by 10.3% as of 1 April.

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£40m in savings

Customers of the biggest supplier of electricity in Northern Ireland stand to make average savings of around £50 per household and £200 per business, bringing the cost of power down to below 2014 levels; in total, PowerNI claims the price cut will save its 529,000 customers a total of £40m.

None of the other major electricity companies have announced cuts this winter and those in Northern Ireland that have reduced their tariffs have not offered savings as significant as PowerNI, the company claims. This is the third year running that PowerNI has reduced its electricity prices.

Other ways to cut electricity costs in Northern Ireland

Customers of PowerNI not already on a direct debit monthly payment plan could save a further £60 per year by signing up for online paperless billing and the regular payment method.

You could also save more money on your electricity bills if you opted for solar panels in Belfast and the surrounding area from a supplier such as solarpanelni. These suppliers have a wide range of products to suit both domestic and commercial customers’ power requirements.

By installing solar panels, you are converting energy from the sun into electricity for use in your home. The government is trying to encourage people to use renewable energies and is rewarding homeowners and businesses for every unit generated by PV panels for the next 20 years, the government will pay for both the units you use and the units you don’t use through the Renewable Obligation scheme. The units you don’t use will go back into the national grid. This could save you a considerable amount of money over the years.

Other tips for reducing electricity bills are to buy energy-efficient electrical appliances, turn off all gadgets when not in use, buy energy efficient lightbulbs, and buy a monitor to find out when you use the most power and consider how to use less.

According to Which? magazine, it is possible to save up to £250 per year by changing your habits.