Energy Guides

Ebico

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Ebico is a not-for-profit gas and electricity supplier, which charges prepayment customers the same rates as credit customers (20/11/09).

Ebico, founded in 1998, has over 50,000 customers. It was originally called the Equitable Billing Company and is based on the principle that everyone should be charged the same for their utilities.

It charges prepayment meter customers the same rates as credit customers and doesn’t apply tiered rates for energy use or a standing charge.

If you have a prepayment meter and are currently paying premium-rate unit prices, switching to Ebico could save you money.

Compare Ebico against all UK energy providers

Fair and equal rates

Most energy suppliers charge prepayment customers at a higher-rate than other customers, saying there is more effort involved in servicing meters than in handling other payment methods.

Many also apply a daily standing charge for energy provision, plus tiered rates for high and low energy users which can end up penalising those who try to reduce their energy consumption.

Ebico is the only energy company that charges prepayment customers the same rates as its direct debit and quarterly bill customers. Plus, it has no standing charge – so customers only pay for the energy they use – and it doesn’t charge tiered rates.

Tariffs

Ebico offers both gas and electricity tariffs.

Its gas tariff is called EquiGas and everyone on this tariff is charged the same rate for gas, no matter where they are in the country or what payment method they use.

Its electricity tariffs are called EquiPower and while prepayment customers are charged the same rates as credit customers, Ebico’s electricity prices vary from region to region across the country due to distribution costs.

As well as a standard domestic EquiPower tariff, Ebico offers an Economy 7 EquiPower tariff which provides cheaper electricity at night.

Payment methods

Ebico customers can pay through any of the following methods:

Set up a direct debit
Set up a standing order
Pay online
Use internet banking
Use a “Paygo” swipe card
Use credit or debit card
Pay bills quarterly on demand
Use a prepayment meter

Principles

Ebico was set up to “counter the market pressures that are increasing poverty and heightening social inequality”.

It says it aims to do the following:

Support those most disadvantages by dominant market trends
Redress the bias towards profits in the energy market, by offering equitable and fair alternatives
Initiate and practice wise stewardship of resources.

Ebico says its principles are consistent with those of the Christian Gospel.

Is Ebico right for me?

Ebico is particularly attractive to people with prepayment meters as it charges its prepayment customers the same rates as standard customers.

However, it also attracts credit customers who approve of its principles of equality and like its simple and transparent tariff structure.

If you are considering switching to Ebico, it’s a good idea to compare energy tariffs first to see how their prices compare to other suppliers’.

Compare Ebico against all energy providers