Energy pricing in Ireland has left consumers with an appetite for something new. Yuno Energy is hoping to whet that appetite a little with a relatively new approach to how you pay for your electricity. In this article, I’ll look at everything you should consider when it comes to deciding whether or not Yuno Energy is a good option for you.
Who is Yuno Energy?
Yuno Energy launched in Ireland in Augusy 2023 as a pay-as-you-go energy provider, owned by PrepayPower. So in terms of the wider energy market, Yuno Energy is indeed relatively new.
How Does Yuno Energy Work?
Unlike Prepay Power, which requires customers to prepay for their electricity and includes a prepayment service charge, Yuno Energy employs a more traditional billing model with a standard standing charge. They also charge ahead of time using what they called personalised prediction. Which leaves me seeing this as a hybrid of paying a electricity bill and opting for prepay power. I understand you will need a smart meter to get the most from Yuno Energy and they can assist you in getting this installed.
Overall, Yuno’s innovative and fresh approach genuinely give it some of the lowest prices in the market right now. But that may not always be the case. It’s possible, if not likely, that Yuno Energy is operating at a loss to establish a strong customer base. It’s a common strategy for new entrants in competitive markets to initially offer lower prices. The hope is that you forget about your energy provider and after 12-month they lift you onto higher charges while hoping you don’t notice.
While that’s my inner skeptic, Yuno does promise lots of insights for smart meter customers which should give you more control over your energy usage and, in theory, cheaper bills over time.
Yuno Energy’s Environmental Impact
One massive question mark I have over Yuno Energy is the greenness of its electricity. Yuno Energy’s electricity has come under scrutiny for being particularly “dirty” compared to other providers on the market. Customers can find greener options for only slightly more money per kWh—approximately 0.2 cents more—offering 100% renewable energy along with better customer service. This marginal cost difference has prompted some environmentally conscious consumers to switch to greener alternatives.
While all electricity ultimately comes from the grid, which includes a mix of renewable and non-renewable sources, the choice of provider impacts the overall contribution to green energy initiatives. Yuno Energy and its affiliate Prepay Power have a higher reliance on fossil fuels compared to the national average. By opting for providers that source 100% renewable energy, customers can contribute positively to the overall energy mix and support the development of sustainable energy infrastructure.
Critics also highlight that many green energy claims in the market are based on purchasing green certificates rather than actual renewable energy generation. However, some smaller providers in Ireland own their own wind farms and genuinely guarantee that every kWh sold is green. These providers often come at a higher price premium, reflecting the true cost of renewable energy. Despite the challenges, the availability of these options allows consumers to make more environmentally friendly choices, even if it involves paying a bit more for their electricity.
With all of that said, there is a much wider issue when “green energy”, which has, in general, become an obscure concept and extremely difficult for consumers to make a clear and easy decision on.
Goosed Verdict: Is Yuno Energy Legit?
Navigating Ireland’s energy provider landscape can be tricky. But if you’re a saavy consumer, you can get the best deal right now. At the minute, that genuinely does seem to be Yuno energy. The sacrifice you make to get that cheaper rate with them is risking the long term cost if you don’t keep an eye on your agreement with Yuno. You are also likely paying for dirtier energy, but it has become nearly impossible to quantify that as part of any decision making.
