ESB merges with So Energy: Prices 2022

Next steps for ESB Energy customers

At the moment, nothing will change apart from the name that represents the company. So Energy has partnered with ESB, a stable company with long-term plans in the UK. There is no risk for So Energy and therefore all balances are safe.

Who is So Energy?

So Energy is a relatively small energy company that strongly focuses on customer service and competitive tariffs. Founded in 2015, the company now had more than 200,000 customers before the merger and is said to be growing fast. So Energy only sells electricity tariffs that are 100% renewable and gives its customers the opportunity to have a say in where the electricity is sourced.

I’m an ESB customer: Will my energy supply be interrupted?

No, the energy supply won’t be interrupted. From 1 December 2021, customers automatically switched from ESB Energy to SO Energy. You will continue to be supplied by ESB Energy until you receive a notification letter confirming your switch.

Will my bills go up with my new supplier?

So Energy’s statement on the merger says: “You won’t notice any changes and you don’t have to worry. Your supply will remain the same, your bills will continue to come from us and your prices will not change as a result of the merger.”

So Energy tariffs

Below you can find the cost information associated with these tariffs.

So Fixed Rate Tariffs

So has one fixed rate tariff plan. The details of which you can see below.

The pricing on this tariff can be seen here:

So Energy Economy 7 Tariffs

So Energy currently offers 1 Economy 7 plans for those who have an economy 7 meter. The only available plan is a 12 months fixed rate plan.

These tariffs have two separate unit rates, one for peak hours of consumption and another for off-peak.

Pricing on these tariffs can be seen here:

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ESB Energy tariffs & prices

ESB Energy tariffs

ESB Energy offered four tariffs: two fixed rate tariffs, one variable rate tariff and one EV tariff for customers who charge their electric vehicles at home. Both single and dual-fuel tariffs were available. Below is a list of their former available tariffs and the rates per kWh.

The fixed rate tariffs were fixed for either 1 or 2 years. They were available for both standard single rate meters and economy 7 meters. They did not offer any prepay tariffs.

If you had a smart meter, you could switch to ESB but they did not guarantee that the smart functionality would continue to work, depending on the type of meter you had.

Both fixed rate tariffs included an exit fee of £30 per fuel.

When compared with the UK average rates of 14.37p, for electricity and 3.80p for gas per kWh, you could see that ESB prices for electricity were a little more expensive than the average but their gas prices were more affordable.

How much did ESB Energy charge per kWh?

The UK average rates per kWh for both fuels were 14.37p for electricity and 3.80p for gas. ESB Energy rates for electricity per kWh were around 16.5p depending on your tariff. Their gas prices were more affordable at between 2.5 and 3p per kWh.

Was ESB Energy cheap?

ESB was not the cheapest supplier on the market. The average cost of a kWh of electricity was around 16.5p, which is more than the 14.37p national average. Their gas prices were cheaper though. However, you also had to add in standing charges. Overall, average usage on the standard variable rate would cost around £1,011 a year. The price cap was £1,042.

What was the ESB Energy fuel mix?

All of the tariffs on offer from ESB, apart from their standard variable rate, offered 100% renewable electricity. These tariffs used 100% renewable electricity from a mix of solar and wind generation. However, the exact percentages of the mix were not published.

They had also invested in other forms of renewable energy such as hydroelectric and solar, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable power for the future.

Were ESB Energy any good?

ESB Energy scored very well with customers on the various review sites. Customers seemed to be impressed by the service and ease of switching.

However, they seemed to be a supplier making good decisions. Although their rates were not the cheapest, they were competitive and the provisions for electric vehicles and reliance on renewable energy had also proved popular with customers.

Who were ESB Energy?

ESB Energy was an Irish energy provider establishing itself in the energy market in England. They were originally founded in 1927 but had started supplying energy in the UK in 2017. Their head office was based in Manchester.

They offered both gas and electricity services providing 100% renewable electricity. They were also involved in energy generation from wind, thermal and biomass. ESB had electric car charging points in Coventry and London and offered a special tariff for electric vehicle owners.

They were aiming to be the energy supplier that is ‘most easy to deal with’, promising good customer service and simple, clear cut tariffs.

What were ESB’s goals?

ESB were also keen to promote their green credentials, investing in around 20 windfarms and nine hydroelectric stations across Britain and Ireland. Their goal was to offer continued competitive energy solutions. Customers in Ireland may already be familiar with ESB. It had been the main electricity supplier in the country for more than 90 years but moved into the British market in 2017 promising to deliver great value, responsible energy. They had a range of renewable energy tariffs, including tariffs for electric vehicles. All tariffs offered 100% renewable energy from solar and wind production although they had not disclosed the exact break down of their fuel mix. Their rates were a little higher than the UK average although costs did vary according to where you would live in the UK and your usage.

What made ESB Energy different?

ESB offered a clear and simple range of tariffs using 100% renewable energy. They aimed to make things simple for the customers, providing great service and good communication. On the whole they seemed to be doing this well, with positive reviews on sites such as Trustpilot. The fact they were investing in green energy production such as wind and hydroelectric also boded well.

How green was ESB Energy?

Apart from their standard variable rate, all ESB Energy tariffs were 100% renewable and carbon neutral. The majority of their power came from wind and solar farms, although the exact break down of this was not known. They were committed to green energy, investing in sustainable production such as wind and hydroelectric plants across the UK.

Did ESB Energy have smart meters?

ESB Energy supplied smart meters, using exclusively the second-generation SMETS 2 variants. These used a DCC network, which means that even if you change energy suppliers in the future, your smart meter will remain fully operational.

ESB Energy: what other services did they offer

ESB had a special EV tariff for customers who had electric vehicles. Electric vehicle owners tend to use more electricity if they charge their cars at home so having a special tariff can help to reduce the cost.

Did ESB Energy do business energy tariffs?

They offered no business tariffs.

ESB Energy reviews

So, what did their customers say about their services?

ESB Energy had more than 2,000 reviews with a very good average star rating on review site Trustpilot. Positive reviews praised the ease of switching and excellent customer service.

The few negative reviews focused on billing errors and a lack of communication from customer service staff. ESB responded to negative reviews on Trustpilot and attempted to seek resolution, usually within 24 hours, which is always a good sign.

How many customers did ESB Energy have?

ESB had around 2.4 million clients in total. Of these about 1.4 million were on the island of Ireland and one million in Great Britain.

Contact ESB Energy

Contact ESB Energy by calling them on 0345 60 70 372. Their opening hours were between 9:00am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.

You could visit the company’s website directly at: https://www.esbenergy.co.uk/ or you can reach them via email at help@service.esbenergy.co.uk.

You could also use social media to contact ESB via Twitter and Facebook.

How to complain about ESB Energy?

If you would have liked to make a complaint, you would have gotten in touch with ESB using the above contact details. You could also register a complaint with the industry regulator Ofgem.

Would you like to know more about energy suppliers in the UK? Great! Check out these related articles to learn more:

1. Utility Warehouse
2. Shell Energy
3. Eon
4. Octopus Energy
5. So Energy
6. Utility Point

FAQ

Where is ESB Energy based?

ESB Energy is an Irish energy firm with almost a 100 years experience supplying power. They are now based in Manchester and are expanding their services into the UK.

Is ESB Energy really cheap?

It is not the cheapest energy supplier on the market, however, they are also not the most expensive. Rates are below the price cap but you can find cheaper fixed rate tariffs with other suppliers.

How long does it take to switch to ESB Energy?

Making the switch is quick and takes only a few minutes. The switchover itself should take no more than three weeks, with no interruption to your service.

How to change tariff on ESB Energy?

If you want to switch to one of ESB’s other tariffs or move away from their standard variable rate, get in touch with the supplier to arrange this.