Flick Electric: NZ’s Favourite Power Company

A lot has changed in the electricity market in the 12 months since Canstar Blue’s last Most Satisfied Customers | Electricity Providers award. The biggest change has been the implementation of the gradual phase-out of the low- and standard-user tariffs.

Because most Kiwi homes now classify as low users, due to the use of more energy efficient appliances, over the next five years everybody will move to pay standard-user rates, which feature higher daily charges but reduced costs per kWh.

The idea is that it will encourage power companies to broaden their range of off-peak power prices, so we can shop around and get the best prices for our power-consumption needs.

However, while this is already happening – more and more power companies are already offering cut-price, off-peak, night and weekend rates – some people are still paying more.

Many consumers who were previously low-tariff users have seen their bills increase over the past few months. This is due to increases in the low-user daily charge. Over the next five years, power companies are able to increase their daily low-user charge by 30c per year, from 30c to 180c per day. And some are already charging just over 60c per day.

But the key here is that SOME have increase their prices. Others haven’t. And, as we mention above, many companies are now offering a range of power prices across different tariffs. So for the canny consumer who is happy to shop around to find the best electricity prices there are considerable savings to be made.

But while Canstar Blue’s latest research shows that most of us want cheaper electricity:

• 68% actively practise energy savings to reduce power bills
• 45% rug up inside during winter rather than turn up the heat
• 41% cite energy efficiency is a key factor in appliance purchases

Just a third of those in our awards research have actively compared electricity prices over the past 12 months.

So to make things easier for Kiwi consumer and to inform them of the best power companies in NZ, this year Canstar Blue canvassed the opinions of 3266 New Zealanders who have electricity accounts, and asked them to rate their providers across a range of categories, to measure and track their levels of customer satisfaction.

To decide which electricity provider offers the best level of customer satisfaction, each was rated across the following categories:

• Overall Satisfaction
• Bill & Cost Clarity
• Customer Service
• Ease of Sign-up
• Focus on Environmental Sustainability
• Online Tools and Advice
• Value for Money

Coming out on top is Flick Electric, the clear winner of Canstar Blue’s award for Most Satisfied Customers | Electricity Providers.

A constant top performer in our ratings and the joint winner of our 2020 award, this year Flick Electric once again stands ahead of the competition.

In our 2022 award ratings, it’s the only electricity provider to earn a top 5-Star rating for Overall Satisfaction. In addition it earns further 5-Star ratings for Customer Service, Bill Clarity and Ease of Sign-up, plus admirable 4 Stars in all other measured categories.

Although eight providers each earn a 4-Star rating for Overall Satisfaction, only two earn any 5-Star ratings:

Powershop earns top marks in the all-important category of Value for Money, and also for Online Tools & Advice. And Ecotricity earns 5 Stars for its Focus on Environmental Sustainability.

What Kiwis Want From their Electricity Providers

An electricity supply is something that we all take for granted… Well, until there’s a sudden power outage as a result of wild weather or a problem with the distribution grid. As such, our satisfaction levels with our power providers are very much driven by cost.

This is reflected by Value for Money topping what Kiwis say they want from their electricity providers: 39% of respondents cite value as the main driver of their satisfaction with their power company, compared to just a quarter (25%) who say Customer Service it their top concern.

Environment Focus is less of a concern (5%), which is in part due to the high levels of renewable energy (84%) we are lucky enough to have access to here in Aotearoa.

Overall, the main drivers of satisfaction are:

Flick Electric: NZ’s Favourite Power Company

Founded in 2014 by six Wellingtonians, Flick started out by offering wholesale power prices directly to the public. For residential customers, Flick now offers two plan options, with no fixed-term contracts or exit fees:

Off Peak

This plan is ideal if you’re using most of your power during off-peak hours, when prices are cheaper. Shift your power usage to cheaper, off-peak times and save between 21-59% (based on meter configuration, network area and load group).

Off-peak times:

Nationwide (excluding Christchurch) = 11am-5pm, 9pm-7am and ALL DAY at weekends

Christchurch only = 9pm – 7am and ALL DAY at weekends

Flat

Pay a simple, fixed rate all day and night. Ideal if you tend to use most of your power during peak times (7am-9am and 5pm-9pm) or if you find it hard shifting your usage to off-peak pricing.

Flickin’ Best Plan Promise

Flick also offers a Flickin’ Best Plan Promise.

Every 90 days, Flick reviews your power usage. Flick looks at the times of day you typically use power, calculates your variable kWh and fixed daily charges, and compares them against the rates of its Flat and Off Peak pricing plans.

Flick then works out if you’re on the best plan for your household, or if there are savings to be made by changing to a different Flick plan.

So if you’re looking for the best power company, one that delivers on price and customer service, why not switch on to Flick Electric.

Flick Electric has been a constant high performer in Canstar Blue’s electricity awards, and it’s won twice in the past three years, so you can be assured that if you sign up for power with Flick Electric, you’ll get great power, at a great price with satisfaction guaranteed.