There’s a good chance you’ve encountered an AGL advertisement at every bus stop you’ve passed by in the last few months, and have begun to wonder if it’s worth making the switch to the ‘big three’ energy provider. And while Red Energy may not have postering currently in its marketing mix, could a smaller, lesser-known energy retailer beat out the big kid in a battle of which energy provider is the most cost effective?
Canstar Blue has taken the time to review the energy plans offered by each retailer, finding the cheapest product and pitting them against each other in order to find which retailer is providing Australian consumers with the best value. We’ll take a look at each provider’s plans in Victoria, NSW, QLD and SA, and delve into more than just cost-effectiveness.
Before we get stuck in, let’s take a look at what each provider is offering, and do a quick cost comparison of the cheapest plans on offer from the retailers. Read on for further details about the products on offer.
Red Energy vs AGL – Cheapest Deals
Here are the current cheapest published deals on our database for AGL and Red Energy across Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Queensland, with any conditional discounts factored in.
Which deal is cheapest in NSW: AGL or Red Energy?
In this case, Red Energy’s plan works out cheaper than AGL’s cheapest market offer. To see how AGL and Red Energy compare to other providers in Sydney, head to our NSW electricity cost comparison report.
Here are the cheapest published deals for Red Energy and AGL on our database for NSW. This table contains some products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Which deal is cheapest in VIC: AGL or Red Energy?
In Victoria, AGL is cheaper than Red Energy. To see how AGL and Red Energy stack up against all of the other energy providers in the state, you can head to our Victoria electricity cost comparison report.
Here are the cheapest published deals from AGL and Red Energy on our database for Victoria. This table contains some products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Which deal is cheapest in QLD: AGL or Red Energy?
In Queensland, Red Energy’s deal comes out on top. It’s worth mentioning though that one of AGL’s plans comes with the added benefit of the Frequent Flyer points. Check out our Queensland cost comparison report for more details.
Here are the cheapest published deals for Red Energy and AGL on our database for SEQ. This table contains some products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Which deal is cheapest in SA: AGL or Red Energy?
In SA, AGL proves to be cheaper than Red Energy. To compare these two retailers to other offerings in Adelaide and South Australia, see our SA electricity price comparison report.
Here are the cheapest published deals for Red Energy and AGL on our database for South Australia. This table contains some products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Red Energy
Red Energy is owned by renewable generation company Snowy Hydro, and operates across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. Red Energy generally offers three electricity market offers in each area. You can expect to see variable rate plans, which mean its rates can go up and down at the provider’s discretion. It does, however, offer some plans with fixed rates depending on the state.
What makes Red Energy stand out is its partnership with airline Qantas, whereby signing up to its dedicated Qantas plans, customers can receive Frequent Flyer points. The good news is that in all states Red Energy retails in, the Qantas Red Saver product actually works out to be the cheapest offering, tied with the Living Energy Saver plan.
Red Energy Plans
- Living Energy Saver: The Living Energy Saver has variable rates and comes on a no term contract for customers.
- Qantas Red Saver: This plan is similar to the above in that it has the same base rates. It also has variable rates and no term contract. The main difference is that customers earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points on sign up and as they pay bills regularly. You get 2 Qantas points for every $1 spent on energy.
- BCNA Saver: On this plan Red Energy will donate $5 a month to Breast Cancer Network Australia on your behalf.
- Red Taronga Flex: Exclusive to Sydneysiders, the Red Taronga Flex gives customers a yearly membership to Taronga Zoo for one adult and kids under 16.
- Red Fixed Saver: Customers in NSW also have access to a fixed rate plan from Red Energy. With the Red Fixed Saver, rates will be locked in until January 31, 2025.
- Red Wildlife Saver: Red Energy will contribute $5 to the Taronga Conservation Society each month you remain on this plan.
AGL
One of Australia’s oldest and best-known power companies, AGL is pretty much a household name. It offers a diverse range of energy plans across Victoria, NSW, Queensland and South Australia.
While AGL is known to change its plans quite regularly, it currently has one ‘main’ electricity product in each of these states. The retailer’s plans come with variable rates with generous savings off the Reference Price/VDO. AGL’s loyalty program, AGL Rewards, is available to all customers regardless of the plan they choose.
AGL Energy Plans
- Value Saver: This plan offers variable rates on an ongoing contract with no exit fees. Customers will have to agree to e-billing to be eligible though. A small sign-up credit is also available for customers in QLD and VIC.
- Netflix Plan: This offer includes an ongoing Netflix Standard with ads subscription, or a discount on Netflix Standard and Netflix Premium. This is a variable rate plan with no lock-in contract. Customers can currently earn a sign-up credit on this plan in NSW, VIC, QLD and SA.
Should I sign up to AGL or Red Energy?
When comparing Red Energy and AGL, it’s of course important to first consider how cost-effective signing up to their cheapest available plans will be. For the most part, Red Energy is the cheaper option. However, the estimated bill cost isn’t the only thing to take into account. Value can come in the form of rewards and other plan benefits, plus there is huge value to be had from good customer service and support when you need it. As mentioned above, Red Energy has been one of the standout performers in our customer satisfaction ratings over the years, especially in NSW.
For jet-setters, Red Energy’s Qantas partnered plans could deliver excellent overall value, if the Frequent Flyer points accumulated are actually regularly used that is. If you tend to spend more time in the shops than in the air, however, AGL’s rewards program may deliver some added value to you.
There’s always going to be many factors to consider when choosing your energy provider, but if you were stuck between AGL and Red Energy, we hope this review has been able to help you make a choice. Keep in mind that there are other offers available no matter what state you’re in, and you can see how these plans stack up against others in the market via the link below.
This comparison is based on a very specific household, with usage figures and postcodes detailed above. Any annual cost estimates should be considered indicative only and not an actual quote. Please use our comparison tool for information catered to your location and electricity usage estimates.
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