Npower Tariffs 2021: Compare Energy Prices

Npower is one of the UK’s best-known energy companies. Along with British Gas, Scottish Power, E.On, EDF and SSE, it provides around 70% of our country’s electricity and 69% of our gas. With an impressive 3.6 million customers across the country, they are one of the biggest of the “Big 6”. and a robust range of energy tariffs, it is among the biggest of the “Big 6”. But how do Npower tariffs measure up against the competition?

Npower Tariffs and Prices

Npower’s selection of tariffs may not be quite as robust as even larger competitors like British Gas or Scottish Power. However, they have an eclectic range of tariffs that offers something for everyone. Npower has a spreadsheet that can be downloaded to provide full information on all of their open and closed tariffs. However, there is a lot of data here, and most of it will not be relevant to new prospective customers looking to see what Npower has to offer.

With that in mind, here we’ll provide a summary of all the tariffs that are available to new customers. All unit rates are based on UK averages. Your rates may vary depending on where in the country you live. Estimates are based on the UK average consumption of 2,900 kWh of electricity and 12,000 kWh of gas per year.

All prices quoted are accurate at the time of writing and include VAT at 5%.

Npower Standard Variable Tariff

As with all of the following tariffs, Npower’s standard variable tariff is available on a monthly Direct Debit, or monthly receipt of bill. However, the best rates by far are available when you pay by DD. These are the prices that we’ll be using for comparison.

Unit rates are as follows:

• Estimated monthly cost £85.69
• Estimated annual cost £1,028.26

Fix 1 Year Plus v4 Feb 2022

This fixed price tariff is valid until February 2022 and has no early exit fee. Unit rates are as follows:

• Estimated monthly cost £83.69
• Estimated annual cost £1,004.25

Fix Online v43 Feb 2022

This online exclusive tariff is also fixed until February 2022. However, unlike the Fix 1 Year Plus v4 Feb 2022 tariff, it has an early exit fee of £30 per fuel. Rates for this tariff are as follows:

• Estimated monthly cost £82.85
• Estimated annual cost £994.21

Npower standard prepayment tariff

Npower has only one standard PAYG tariff for customers with prepayment meters. As with its standard tariff for credit meters, this is a variable rate tariff, so unit rates may rise and fall with the price of wholesale energy. As a variable rate tariff, it has no exit fees, so you may leave at any time.

Rates for this tariff are as follows:

• Estimated monthly cost £87.92
• Estimated annual cost £1,055.06

Npower Economy 7 tariffs

All of the above tariffs (except for the PAYG tariff) are available to customers with Economy 7 meters. Day rates, night rates, and electricity standing charges are as follows:

Npower business tariffs

Like all of the “Big 6” energy suppliers, Npower are also equipped to offer a range of electricity and tariffs for business customers. Business rates for each fuel can vary enormously depending on where your business premises is located, how much energy you use and when your peak load hours are.

However, while we cannot supply information on rates (as these are negotiated on an individual basis), we can break down the business energy rates available from Npower.

Online saver contract

This online-only contract has Npower’s most favourable business energy rates. Business customers benefit from the following features:

• The lowest available prices on the day when you buy direct from Npower’s website.
• Fixed energy price for 12 months.
• Protection from future price rises.
• 24/7 online account management: Customers can pay bills, and submit meter readings through their portal.

Variable contract

This is a contact with fluid prices for companies that value flexibility. Business customers are free to switch with just 30 days written notice. Benefits of this tariff include:

• The ability to change suppliers with only 30 days notice.
• If wholesale energy prices go down, your do your bills.
• Flexible payment by Direct Debit or cash/cheque.
• Save 5% when you pay by Direct Debit.

Fixed contract

This is good for price security and cash flow management and projections. Benefits of this business tariff include:

• Freedom from unexpected price rises.
• The ability to choose the best contract length for your business.
• Fixed prices for up to 4 years.
• Flexible payment Direct Debit or cash/cheque.
• Save 5% when you by Direct Debit.

Npower no standing charge tariff

At the time of writing, Npower does not have a tariff without any standing charges. However, energy consumers should think twice before signing on to such a tariff. Unless your property is unoccupied for 7 months a year, you may find yourself spending more on a tariff like this, as unit rates are inevitably much higher.

Npower tariffs compared: Which is the cheapest tariff?

Here, we compare Npower’s tariffs to help you to ascertain which is the best value for your household. These prices are based on the assumption that you prefer to pay by Direct Debit. Paying monthly or quarterly on receipt of bill will cost more.

As we can see, the Fix Online v43 Feb 2022 offers a slightly cheaper annual cost than its other fixed rate equivalent. However, it’s important to remember that this online tariff comes with an early exit fee of £30 per fuel.

Most of Npower’s tariffs are comfortably below the Ofgem Energy Price Cap, which currently stands at £1,042 per year. The standard prepayment tariff is also less than the Prepayment Meter Price Cap, which stands at £1,164 at the time of writing. While not the best rates on the market, these are certainly competitive, particularly when compared to similarly-sized suppliers. If you want the familiarity and reassurance that come with a big name, but don’t want to pay through the nose for them, Npower are a safe bet.

Npower price changes in 2020

Like most larger energy suppliers, Npower lowered its rates in October 2020 in order to comply with Ofgem’s newly-lowered Energy Price Cap. Variable rate tariffs may now not exceed the cap of £1,042 per year. This is the lowest that the price cap has ever been since its inception in January 2019.

Npower exit fees

Fortunately, only one of the two fixed rate tariffs available to new customers is subject to an early exit fee. This is the 1 Year Fixed tariff which comes with an early exit fee of £30 per fuel. It’s important to remember, however, that customers on this tariff (or any fixed rate tariff) can switch within 49 days of the end date of their contract without needing to pay early exit fees.

Get an Npower quote today

If you’re looking for a large and well-established, yet reasonably-priced energy supplier, Npower might just be the supplier for you. If you’re interested in switching to Npower, we can help to ensure that you get the best value energy tariff for your household’s needs.

What’s more, we can manage your switch from end-to-end. So you can get cheaper energy hassle-free.

Want to know more?

Call us today on 0330 054 0017. We’re available from 9am to 7pm.

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