Bulb Energy Review — Are they the right choice for energy suppliers in the UK?
Looking for a dependable Bulb energy supplier review? Want to know what Bulb customers have to say and how it measures up to its competition? Here’s a detailed review of this green energy supplier.
With the threat of the climate crisis looming large, the need to go green is even greater today. Renewable resources help secure a sustainable future. To add, they are not only cleaner but also pocket friendly.
UK’s Bulb energy supplier has emerged as a frontrunner in helping make the switch from fast-depleting fossil fuels to green energy sources. If they are one of the names you’ve shortlisted, you sure want to know more about the company, how green they are, their rates, and customer service. This in-depth Bulb energy supplier review gives you everything you need to know about them. We rate the company on various parameters.
Bulb was co-founded by two friends and colleagues, Hayden Wood and Amit Gundka in 2015. Having worked in the traditional energy industry (Amit Gundka was a past energy trader at Barclays while Hayden worked as a former consultant for energy suppliers), they soon realized the necessity for making available greener energy across households and business spaces. The goal was to also provide lower tariffs, uncomplicated energy supplier switching, and improved customer service. Thus, began Bulb. This tech-focussed company is based in Shoreditch, East London.
Bulb is a B Corp certified business. B Corp is a certification awarded to for-profit corporations for maintaining high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Bulb’s B Corp certification status also reflects on the company’s commitment to paying the National Living Wage and transparency in pricing.
Features and Functionality
Green Credentials:
Bulb is a leading supplier of green, renewable energy across the UK. Bulb offers 100% renewable electricity. All electrical energy is sourced from the wholesale market and renewable contractors. Thus, you can be assured of clean energy either from wind, solar, or hydropower. The energy mix includes a larger proportion of hydropower in comparison to solar power, which makes up only a tiny percentage.
It is also one of the biggest buyers of green gas. The gas is 10% green. The rest is 100% carbon-neutral. Bulb’s green gas is obtained from animal and farm wastes and food, which is then converted into biogas. Gas is created as a result of the process of anaerobic digestion, which breaks down the organic wastes.
Bulb is actively involved in carbon emission reduction projects across the world in collaboration with ClimateCare. The company financed wind and solar energy projects in India, undertook tree plantation and rainforest conservation in Sierra Leone, providing gas stoves in Ghana and Kenya, and green gas in China. Bulb also has its own foundation working to find solutions for the climate crisis.
As a customer, you can opt for electricity or gas-only or dual fuel. Bulb energy suppliers offer a 2-rate agreement on an economy 7 meter but not an economy 10 meter. The economy meter offers greater savings as it charges a different rate for off-peak (night) and peak (daytime) hours. The difference between a 7 and 10 meter is that the former counts 7 hours as off-peak while the latter 10. As a customer, you can also opt for a prepayment meter.
Bulb customers receive 100% renewable energy from the national grid, for which Bulb restores every unit of energy used with its renewable-sourced energy.
Bulb supplies energy not only to households but business centers too. They provide competitive rates and a dedicated account manager. Like the quote for a household, you can request a quote based on the specific requirements of your business.
Smart Meter
Bulb has also started installing smart meters across households that have signed up for their gas and electricity service. The installation is inclusive of an in-house display unit. Here, you can monitor your daily energy usage.
Bulb encourages its customers to get a second-generation smart meter since it is unable to take readings from the older meters. However, it is not a mandatory requirement. An expected update will put the older meters at par with the smart meters. Second-generation and updated first-generation meters labeled “Secure” allow for automatic meter readings.
Customer Service:
Bulb’s customer base boasts of more than 1.5 million customers in just a couple of years since its setup. They are one of the fastest-growing energy suppliers in the world.
Excellent customer service is one of the reasons for hundreds of positive Bulb energy supplier reviews. A quick turnaround time is their USP.
The customer support staff were friendly and extremely supportive and helped resolve problems in the shortest time possible. Customers can reach the support staff on call or by email. The company notifies customers about the status of their switch as well as the deadlines for a meter reading submissions and bill payments. You can also dial-in to their call center if you would like to speak to a customer care representative.
You can get in touch with them on Facebook Messenger too. You can ask your queries on the online live chat sessions on weekdays during office hours. The live chat is the fastest way to contact customer support. Bulb energy reviews highlight that customers were able to reach an executive in under 5 minutes.
Bulb also makes available a number of self-help digital tools — your official account or the mobile app. They enable customers to find a solution to their problems without having to contact the customer support staff. Bulb’s community page is yet another contact point. Here you can ask questions or seek support.
A five-star rating on most trusted review sites also reflects the energy supplier’s commitment to providing quality services to customers.
Pricing:
Unlike many other energy suppliers, Bulb energy does not offer different tariff packages. It’s one price for all called Vari-Fair. The tariff is a variable one. A variable tariff is a great option as you won’t end up paying more when the wholesale prices are less. However, a variable tariff also translates to fluctuating energy costs throughout the year.
Price comparison of the Big Six Tariff underlines the fact that Bulb’s energy tariff is a good 18% less than the other energy suppliers in the UK. Thus, by opting for Bulb you will be paying a significantly lower energy bill. The prices are lower for both electricity and gas. You can check the per-unit rate for both electricity and gas. There is no minimum term for which you have to stay locked in with the energy provider.
The actual tariff differs based on your location in the UK; it varies according to the state. Your bill is also subject to the per-household usage. There is no exit fee.
Referral Incentives
Bulb energy suppliers also offer referral incentives. Your account is credited with £50 when you refer a friend; you can redeem it against your bill. Your friend gets an equal amount too. A switch to either gas or electricity will earn you a £25 incentive.
The ‘Refer a friend’ incentive is only available to new customers. You will not receive the credit if your referral was a past customer of Bulb or is already a member of Bulb. It is also not applicable if the property your friend is moving into already has a connection for Bulb electricity and gas.
Easy Switching
Making the switch to Bulb is an uncomplicated process.
You don’t have to worry about the process of switching from your old supplier. Bulb will handle the transfer for you, completing it within 21 days. This is thanks to the company enlisting with Ofgem’s Energy Switch Guarantee in 2016. Ofgem is the regulating authority for UK’s energy companies. Bulb also does not charge for the switching process. Also, if you are still in doubt about switching to Bulb energy suppliers, you can go back to your previous energy suppliers within days of placing your migration request.
Getting started with the Bulb is easy. Request for a quote at the official website. It requires one to furnish basic details such as the type of energy required (gas and electricity or gas only), whether it is a residential or business property, a house or a flat, and the number of bedrooms. Within seconds of submitting this information, the official site draws up an estimate of what your monthly bill would look like. Here we also got a break up of the tariff rates, the potential savings, and a cost comparison. Thus, you can directly switch to Bulb as your energy supplier.
When switching to Bulb Energy you can also do an independent price comparison using the provided energy comparison tool. The tool pulls up the best tariffs for your postcode. You can compare the tariffs offered by major energy suppliers in your area and check your savings with each. You can also refine your search with the help of filters such as no exit fees, per unit cost, and green energy suppliers.
Bulb does not charge an exit fee. However, other energy suppliers ask customers to pay an exit fee when switching. Bulb pays up to £60 each for electricity and gas paid by way of exit fees to your previous supplier if you choose to switch to Bulb. With no exit fee, you also shouldn’t be worried about migrating to another energy supplier should you be unhappy with Bulb’s service.
Bill Payment
Bulb handles most of its operations online. Bulb customers can access all account-related details on the official Bulb website. You can view statements and payments, your monthly energy usage, submit meter readings, and make payments online. You can also update your billing information.
The web interface is well-designed featuring a clean layout and all important information and tabs conveniently placed. The site is easy to navigate and access.
The Bulb Energy app affords the same convenience on the go. It enables you to perform all the functions that you would on the official website including a feature to click and upload a photograph of the meter reading. The app is available both on Google and Apple app store. The energy supplier maintains transparency in its billing system with its easy to read bills.
The Good
● 100% renewable energy and 10% renewable biomethane gas.
● It is one of the fast-growing energy suppliers in the UK.
● Further adding credibility are the multiple industry awards to their credit. Bulb has won various awards: Uswitch’s Best Value for Money (2020), Most Likely to be recommended, Best Green Services, and Best Deal for you.
● Consistently high scores in customer satisfaction surveys.
● Highly-responsive and excellent customer service.
● Bulb energy is the cheapest supplier of renewable electricity and gas in the UK. They offer the best value for your money.
● The energy switch is a hassle-free process.
● Automation in back-office processes also reduces customer service time.
The Bad
The main negative for us is the Bulb’s fluctuating price.
The company clearly states that energy tariff is variable. It is contingent on the prevailing wholesale energy price. Thus, although Bulb gives you a competitive price (also in comparison with other energy suppliers), expect changes to your energy bills.
When it dips, you will be lucky enough to enjoy a discount. But when it rises, you will pay the extra out of your pocket too. Nevertheless, Bulb always intimates customers 30-days prior to billing. The variable tariff was one of the reasons for a drop in customer ratings. Customers complained of paying more than the quoted price.
At the Bulb dashboard, you can also get advice on lowering your energy bills and saving money on the bills.
The Bottom Line
Should you make the switch?
Yes, there are plenty of reasons. It is green, hassle-free, and affordable. Its single tariff is the best price you can get on renewable energy resources in the market. And backed by a good customer service record, no exit fees, and impressive incentives, there’s nothing more you could ask for.
