New Year cheers for cheaper gas

On the heels of their announcement in November last year, firmus energy has completed its period of testing of the new switching system in greater Belfast and can now make cheaper natural gas prices available to all homes with a credit meter.

The Antrim-based company confirmed that its gas prices are at least 7.5% cheaper than Phoenix¹. Moreover firmus energy will be tracking Phoenix prices for at least the next two years, and they will continue to pay lower gas prices no matter what Phoenix charges¹.

Gas households using a credit meter² in Belfast, Holywood, Larne, Carrickfergus, Newtownabbey, Bangor, Newtownards, Dundonald, Lisburn, Donaghadee and Carryduff will now be able to choose their gas supplier for the first time.

Providing new customers with financial savings and excellent customer service will be a top priority for firmus energy, according to the company’s Managing Director, Mark Prentice.

He said: “Our extensive research with gas customers in greater Belfast has indicated that households want two key things: lower prices and great customer service. In terms of our prices, whatever price Phoenix charges over the next two years, firmus energy prices will be cheaper – we guarantee it¹.

“Given that consumers are facing another tough year financially with the recent VAT increase and ever increasing household bills, at last there is some good news. Customers who switch to firmus energy could save up to 11.5%³ on their gas bills in the first 12 months alone. Over two years, this could equate to a saving of over £100³ for an average home which is hugely beneficial for household budgets.

“Switching to firmus energy is easy. It only takes five minutes to switch online* and we use the same pipes and the same meter – it’s just cheaper natural gas. There’s no disruption to the customer’s gas supply and they don’t even have to ring their current supplier, as we contact them on their behalf.

“firmus energy has an unrivalled customer service record in Northern Ireland, having never had a single Consumer Council complaint**, and have the backing of our parent company which currently supplies gas and electricity to over one million customers in Ireland.”

From today, Phoenix customers who currently pay by direct debit, cash or cheque² can go online to www.switchtofirmus.co.uk and make the switch. Switching normally takes 28 days, depending on customer demand. Whilst around 80,000 gas homes in greater Belfast can now make the switch, the offer is not yet available to pay-as-you-go customers.

“It is extremely disappointing that we cannot offer lower prices to pay-as-you-go customers just yet, as a switching system for these customers has not yet been developed by the Network Operator in Belfast,” added Mark.

“We will continue to work with the Utility Regulator on the development of processes which will allow pay-as-you-go customers to start to switch in the coming months, ensuring that all homes in greater Belfast can benefit from our offer of cheaper gas prices by next winter. Pay-as-you-go customers, who wish to pre-register their interest to be the first to switch, can register with us on www.switchtofirmus.co.uk

“At firmus energy, we have one goal: to make gas purchasing easy and more affordable for our customers. Our track record in providing lower gas prices and gold standard customer service across Northern Ireland, including to over 1,000 businesses in greater Belfast, means that switching to firmus energy is just common sense.

“We are very confident that we can offer greater Belfast gas customers an improved standard of service. Our online account management service was a first for domestic customers in Northern Ireland and allows them to access their account 24/7 and provide us with meter readings, ensuring their account is always up to date. It also means customers can avoid estimated bills and surprises at the end of the year. They are in control of what they use and how much they are billed.”