Question 1

How does switching to Eco Energy make a difference to reducing harmful emissions?

Accepted Answer

By choosing energy that causes least or no harm to the environment these harmful carbon emissions will be reduced.

When you switch to Eco Energy, Power NI commits to purchase the equivalent of your consumption from renewable sources. Power NI supports local micro and large-scale generators. Our renewable electricity is achieved through PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements) with biomass, wind, photo-voltaic (PV) and hydroelectric generators across Northern Ireland. All renewable energy that Power NI purchases through PPA’s is from generators exclusively in NI.

Power NI's renewable electricity is backed by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) certificates issued by the UK energy regulator, Ofgem.

Question 2

What happens if the wind does not blow?

Accepted Answer

Your electricity supply will not be affected. When you sign up for Eco Energy, we make a commitment to match your electricity needs by purchasing an equivalent amount of renewable power. In very simple terms, we add up all our Eco Energy customers units and ensure sufficient renewable energy is purchased to cover this, in line with our obligation.

The electricity you are receiving into your house is made up of a mix of fuel types and different renewable technologies (not just wind).

Question 3

Will Eco Energy increase in price?

Accepted Answer

Our Eco Energy tariff costs the same as our standard Home Energy tariff and the same discounts apply depending on how you prefer to pay (e.g. by monthly Direct Debit or pay as you go).

Currently, any changes in pricing to the Home Energy tariff will be reflected in the Eco Energy tariff. For more information on pricing, visit our prices and plans.

Question 4

Who can switch to Eco Energy?

Accepted Answer

New and existing Power NI home energy customers can make the switch to Eco Energy tariff. Our Eco Energy tariff is available to credit and Keypad customers. Eco Energy is not available for Economy 7 customers.

Question 5

What is the Renewable Energy Obligation?

Accepted Answer

All energy suppliers in Northern Ireland must comply with a Renewable Energy Obligation, which came into effect in 2005/06. This places an obligation on all suppliers to show evidence of the purchase of renewable electricity through a system of Renewable Energy Certificates.

Question 6

Where does green or renewable energy come from?

Accepted Answer

The majority of local, renewable energy in Northern Ireland is generated by wind, but there are small amounts which come from hydro and PV.

Question 7

How does green electricity get to my house?

Accepted Answer

There is no difference in the electricity that is supplied to your home. Individual properties cannot be targeted to receive Eco Energy only. By signing up to Eco Energy, Power NI commits to purchase the equivalent of your consumption from renewable sources.

Question 8

A quick guide to Economy 7

Accepted Answer

Economy 7 provides different electricity prices depending on the time of day. It's cheap 'off-peak' night time rates offer the most cost effective way to heat your water and storage heaters. The heat from your storage heaters, and the water heated and stored during the night, generally lasts throughout the day, helping you to save money on heating bills.

Economy 7 works best in smaller homes with good insulation.

Off peak hours

Summer time (BST)	Winter time (GMT)
2am - 9am	1am - 8am

Heat your home

Storage heaters use only low rate electricity.
They heat up at night and give out heat the following day.

Getting the most from your storage heaters

Use the wall switch to turn on the heaters you wish to heat.
Each heater has two controls usually labelled 'input' and 'output' (sometimes called boost).

Input explained

Input allows you to select the amount of heat stored overnight.
Use a high setting in winter and a lower setting in milder weather.

Output or boost explained

Output allows heat to escape more quickly providing a 'boost' of heat.
You can control it manually by adjusting the output control.
A high setting will open it automatically in the afternoon while a lower setting will open it later in the evening.

What is Economy 7 Automatic?

The 'input' and 'output' controls should be set at 'high' all year round.
The heat stored overnight will be adjusted automatically, depending on the weather.

Storage heater safety

Never cover storage heaters with clothes or curtains. Never put furniture against them. These are serious fire risks.

Question 9

What is Economy 7?

Accepted Answer

Economy 7 is an electricity tariff that gives you two different rates for electricity: a cheaper off-peak rate at night and a standard rate during the day. Economy 7 can be a good option if you use more electricity overnight.

Question 10

Are Economy 7 storage heaters safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Economy 7 storage heaters are safe when used correctly. Never cover storage heaters with clothes or curtains, and do not place furniture directly against them, as this can create a fire risk.

Question 11

How does Economy 7 work?

Accepted Answer

Economy 7 gives you seven hours of cheaper electricity overnight. During the seven-hour period overnight, you pay a lower rate for electricity. During the remaining daytime hours, a higher electricity rate applies.

To use Economy 7, you’ll need an Economy 7 meter or compatible setup that records your daytime and night-time electricity usage separately.

Question 12

What are the Economy 7 Times in Northern Ireland?

Accepted Answer

For Power NI customers, Economy 7 times fall within a 7-hour window starting between 1-2 hours after midnight:

Winter time (clock changes in late October): 1am to 8am
Summer time (clock changes in late March): 2am to 9am

The off-peak hours change when the clocks go forward or back for British Summer Time (BST).

Question 13

Is Economy 7 suitable for my home?

Accepted Answer

Economy 7 is best suited to homes that use more electricity overnight, especially properties with storage heaters or electric water heating systems.

It works well in smaller homes with good insulation, where heat or hot water stored overnight can last throughout the day. If most of your electricity is used during daytime hours, Economy 7 may be less suitable.

Question 14

What is an Economy 7 meter?

Accepted Answer

An Economy 7 meter is a two-rate electricity meter that records your daytime and night-time electricity usage separately. It works with an Economy 7 tariff, allowing you to be charged different rates depending on the time of day.

Question 15

How do Economy 7 storage heaters work?

Accepted Answer

Economy 7 storage heaters charge overnight using cheaper off-peak electricity and store heat for use throughout the day. They heat up during the night-rate hours and gradually release stored heat during daytime hours.

Question 16

How can I use Economy 7 storage heaters efficiently?

Accepted Answer

To use Economy 7 storage heaters efficiently, charge them overnight and adjust the settings based on the weather and your heating needs.

Most storage heaters have two controls labelled ‘input’ and ‘output’ (sometimes called boost):

Input controls how much heat is stored overnight
Output controls how quickly heat is released during the day

Use a higher input setting during colder weather and a lower setting in milder weather. Lower output settings help stored heat last longer throughout the day and into the evening.

To avoid using expensive daytime electricity, avoid using the boost setting where possible.

Question 17

What is Economy 7 Automatic?

Accepted Answer

Economy 7 Automatic adjusts the amount of heat stored overnight automatically depending on the weather. The input and output controls should be left on a high setting all year round.

Question 18

Will the price I pay change?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Power NI unit price for residential customers increased on 1 July 2026.

For more information on the residential price change, visit our pricing page.

Question 19

What does the price change mean for Credit customers?

Accepted Answer

If you are a credit customer, you don’t need to do anything at this time. Your new unit rate automatically came into effect for all credit customers on 1 July 2026.

For more information visit our pricing page.

Question 20

I am a Keypad customer. What does the price change mean for me?

Accepted Answer

From the 16 June, when you buy a top-up, you will get a 40-to-60-digit price change code. You must enter this into your meter and then press the # button. The price you pay for your electricity will then increase from 1 July 2026. This longer tariff change code must be entered into your meter, otherwise all other top-up codes will fail.

If you are a Keypad+ customer when you buy a top-up from 16 June 2026, your 40-to-60-digit price change code will be displayed on your Keypad+ app. If your app is in range of your meter and connected to the Keypad+ unit, the code will be sent to your Keypad via Bluetooth. If the code fails to send, it can be entered manually into your Keypad.

If you haven’t received your 40-to-60-digit code, please email us at home@powerni.co.uk with your Keypad Premise number and we will help you.

How to change your Keypad to our new rate

Question 21

What happens to the credit on my Keypad?

Accepted Answer

After you enter your 40-to-60-digit price change code, from the 1 July 2026, any credit on your Keypad will be charged at the new rate.

Question 22

What if I don't enter the price change code?

Accepted Answer

When you buy a top-up from 16 June 2026, you will get a 40-to-60 digit price change code. 
You must enter this into your meter and then press the # button before any further top-up codes can be accepted.
If you do not enter this code, all future top-ups will fail, and you will get a ‘rejected’ message followed by ‘wrong tar’. 
It’s easy to fix this. Enter the 40-to-60 digit price change code followed by the top-up code you bought.

Question 23

I am an Economy 7 customer, what does this mean for me?

Accepted Answer

You will see an increase of 6% (5.8% for Economy 7 Keypad customers) to the price you pay from 1 July 2026, which means you will be paying approximately £4 more per month*.

*On average, customers will pay approximately £4 more per month. This is calculated using the Power NI standard E7 unit rate and an average household usage of 3,200 units (kWh) per year.

Question 24

I am a Keypad+ customer, how do I enter my price change code?

Accepted Answer

If you are a Keypad+ customer when you buy a top-up from 16 June 2026, your 40-to-60-digit price change code will be displayed on your Keypad+ app. If your app is in range of your meter and connected to the Keypad+ unit, the code will be sent to your Keypad via Bluetooth. If the code fails to send, it can be entered manually into your Keypad.

If you haven’t received your 40-to-60-digit code, please email us at home@powerni.co.uk with your Keypad Premise number and we will help you.

Question 25

How do I check that my tariff change code has been added correctly to my meter?

Accepted Answer

You can check on your meter by pressing button 4 to see the last 5 codes that have been entered. This way you can check if your 40-to-60 digit tariff change code has been entered.

If you have not entered your 40-to-60 digit tariff change code correctly, all future top-ups will fail. You will get a ‘rejected’ message, followed by ‘wrong tar’.

If you haven’t received your 40-to-60 digit code, please email us at home@powerni.co.uk with your Keypad Premise number and we will help you.

Question 26

I didn’t receive my tariff change code when I topped up. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

From the 16 June, when you buy a top-up, you will get a 40-to-60 digit price change code.

If you have not received this code, check to see if the payment for your top-up has been taken from your bank. If no payment has been taken, it is likely that the top-up hasn’t been purchased.

If you attempted to buy a top-up and your payment failed, you will need to wait 24 hours before attempting to buy again.

If you are unable to wait 24 hours before buying a new top-up, please email us at home@powerni.co.uk with your Keypad Premise number and we will help you.

If payment for your top-up has been taken, and you did not receive your 40-to-60 digit tariff change code, you can check for this long code by logging into your online account and selecting ‘previous top-up code’. Your 40-to-60 digit code will appear on the screen.

If you can’t get your 40-to-60 digit tariff change code, email us at home@powerni.co.uk with your Keypad Premise Number and we will help you.

Question 27

What happens after I register my interest in a home EV charge point?​

Accepted Answer

Our installation partner will call you within 3 working days to arrange a survey.

Question 28

Do I have to pay any money upfront for my charge point installation?

Accepted Answer

No. A survey to assess if the installation is a standard or non-standard will be carried out first.

Question 29

​  What is the difference between a standard and non-standard installation?

Accepted Answer

A standard installation is when the work can be carried out at the site without any additional site preparation works, man hours or additional equipment. A standard installation will involve installation of the device where:

The consumer unit (fuse board) is no more than 10 metres from the proposed position of the charge point
The fuse board is a trip switch type. If the fuse board is not a trip switch type, the fuse board would need to be upgraded in line with Safe Electric Guidelines.
10 Square earth bonding with earth electrode is present. Where there is no 10 Square earth cable, this would need to be upgraded in line with Safe Electric Guidelines.
16 Square mains cable is present. In the event of old mains wiring, this would need to be upgraded to 16 Mains in line with Safe Electric Guidelines.
Up to 10 metres of cable, this will run on the surface and be neatly clipped to the wall between the distribution board and the charging socket, the fixed cost does not include any provision If the cable needs to run under floorboards or ceilings or any external civil works.
Where the cable route is internal, a provision of up to 3m white PVC trunking is provided within the cost.
Provision included for all drilling and rectification works required for the facilitation of the 10m cable installation.
The consumer unit is either able to accommodate the EV charger or a separate standalone 2way consumer unit would be fitted.
The fitting and testing of all electrical connections and protections required for the charging socket.
Electrical installation cert issued on completion, confirming all work has been completed in line with the requirements of the 18th Edition of BS 7671.

Question 30

When will my installation take place?

Accepted Answer

This can vary depending on the need for additional works. For a standard installation, where no additional works are needed, you can expect a survey date within 9 days from your enquiry. If your home needs additional works this can delay the install and is dependent on the type of works required.

Question 31

Can I get my own electrician to carry out additional work?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can arrange your own electrician that is a NICEIC Approved Contractor. Our installation partner will be happy to provide a checklist of what needs to be completed during the additional works. Only the Power NI’s installation partner can install the charger unit itself.

Question 32

What is an electric vehicle (EV) tariff?

Accepted Answer

Power NI’s electric vehicle tariffs are designed for households that own or lease a plug-in electric car and charge at home. Customers will get the best value for their EV mileage when they charge their car at home on one of our EV tariffs.

Question 33

What EV tariffs are available?

Accepted Answer

We have two tariffs available for EV owners: EV Anytime or EV Nightshift.

EV Anytime is a single-rate tariff with a standing charge. This means you pay the same unit rate all day and a standing charge that is billed quarterly. EV Anytime is available for all payment methods (e.g. Direct Debit or pay as you go Keypad).

EV Nightshift tariff is an off-peak tariff with a standing charge, which is billed quarterly. There are two different unit rates, one for day-time use and one for night-time use, which is cheaper. EV Nightshift is available for credit payment methods only.

The off-peak rate times for EV Nightshift are:

Winter - 1am to 8am
Summer - 2am to 9am

To take full advantage of the EV Nightshift tariff you should charge during the off-peak hours as much as possible. However, this doesn't mean you have to be up at 1am. The best way to charge during off-peak hours is with a smart EV charger, that allows you to schedule when your car starts and stops charging. As well as this method, some models of electric vehicle have on-board charge scheduling, allowing you to set the time when the car will charge without a smart charger.

These tariffs are designed to suit different EV owners’ individual EV driving, model range and charging habits.

Tariff availability*:

	EV Anytime	EV Nightshift
Keypad meter	Yes	No
Standard meter	Yes	No
Dual-rate meter	No	Yes

*A meter change may be required to switch you to the most suitable tariff, however there will be no cost for this.

Question 34

Who is this tariff available to?

Accepted Answer

Our EV tariffs are exclusive to households that own or lease a plug-in electric vehicle.

Question 35

What are the EV Nightshift off-peak rate times?

Accepted Answer

The off-peak rate times for the EV Nightshift tariff are:

Winter Time (GMT) - 1am to 8am
Summer Time (BST) - 2am to 9am

The EV Nightshift meter and your home EV charger are independent of each other and you will need to adjust your charging time when the clocks change.

If in doubt, contact us.

Question 36

Can I have a combination of both tariffs?

Accepted Answer

No, we can only provide one tariff per household meter.

Question 37

I am already a Power NI customer and I drive an electric car, do I have to switch to an EV tariff?

Accepted Answer

No, you don’t have to switch, and you can remain on your current tariff. However, based on your consumption, you could make greater savings by switching to one of our EV tariffs.

If you wish to switch to an EV tariff, please fill out the form and we will contact you to complete the change to your preferred EV tariff.

Question 38

What is a standing charge on our EV tariff?

Accepted Answer

A standing charge on your EV tariff covers an energy supplier’s fixed costs, including the supply of electricity to your home through the distribution and transmission network, and metering services. It is a fixed amount quoted in pence per day but will only be charged each quarter as part of your quarterly electricity bill.

Question 39

I’m not a Power NI customer, how do I switch to get an EV tariff?

Accepted Answer

Please fill out our form and we will contact you to switch to Power NI and the EV tariff that suits you.

Question 40

I drive an electric car, which tariff is for me?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your daily mileage, EV range and lifestyle.

EV Anytime gives you the best unit rate 24 hours a day with a quarterly standing charge. If you have a long commute, often needing to top up your range in the evening, or regularly charge your car during the day, the EV Anytime tariff will give you flexibility and the best value.

EV Nightshift is an off-peak EV tariff. If you regularly have range to spare after your daily driving and you can wait to charge your car overnight, the EV Nightshift tariff is probably for you. To take full advantage of this tariff you should charge during the off-peak hours as much as possible. The best way to do this is to have a programmable home smart charger or be able to programme your car to charge at certain times, to ensure your car charges at the off-peak rate times only.

Question 41

I do not have an electric vehicle but I am considering one, when can I change to an EV tariff?

Accepted Answer

Our EV tariffs are exclusive to households who currently own or lease a plug-in electric vehicle. Self-charging hybrid cars are not eligible for the EV tariffs.

Please book a call back once you have received your car and we can switch you to the EV tariff of your choice.

Question 42

Do the electric vehicle tariffs provide energy for everything in my house?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the electric vehicle tariffs are for the electricity consumption for the whole house and electric car.

Question 43

Where does Power NI’s renewable electricity come from?

Accepted Answer

Power NI supports local micro and large-scale generators. Our renewable electricity is achieved through PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements) with wind, photo-voltaic (PV) and hydroelectric generators across Northern Ireland.

Power NI's renewable electricity is backed by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) certificates issued by the UK energy regulator, Ofgem.

Question 44

What additional benefits do I get with the EV tariffs?

Accepted Answer

All Power NI customers get access to Power NI Perks, our loyalty rewards scheme, with discounts off hundreds of brands on the high street and online. As well as this, we offer eco-friendly paperless billing through our online account.

Once you’ve made the switch to Power NI, simply register for an online account and download our handy app.

Our EV tariffs can supply electricity from 100% renewable sources too.

Question 45

Can I go on the electric vehicle tariff if I have a plug-in hybrid?

Accepted Answer

Yes, our electric vehicle tariffs are available to all our customers with plug-in vehicles, whether this is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Self-charging hybrid cars are not eligible for the EV tariffs.

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