If you live in Aotearoa and want a straight answer on your power bill, frank energy is one name you’ll keep hearing. This guide explains what frank energy is, how its pricing works in New Zealand, the plan types you’re likely to see, the pros and cons, and a practical way to decide if it fits your home or small business.
What is
frank energy is a New Zealand energy retailer that supplies electricity nationwide and natural gas where pipelines are available in the North Island. It operates as a brand of Genesis Energy Limited, one of the country’s major “gentailers” (companies that both generate and retail electricity). The brand focuses on clear, digital-first service and straightforward pricing so customers can compare and switch without fuss.
Like all retailers here, frank energy does not own your local lines network. It buys electricity on the wholesale market and bills you for power, plus the network and metering charges set by your area’s lines company, along with GST. Your total price depends on where you live, how much you use, and the type of meter and plan you’re on.
How it works
Electricity bills in NZ have two main parts: a fixed daily charge and a variable per‑kWh charge. frank energy uses the same fundamentals, with rates that differ by region and plan. If you have a smart meter (most homes do), pricing can also vary by time of day or by whether some loads (like hot water) are “controlled.”
Switching is usually simple. You sign up online with frank energy, they confirm your address and meter details, and the switch completes in a few business days in most cases. There’s no technician visit for standard switches with a smart meter. Your first bill arrives after your next meter read or data interval closes, showing usage, rates, network charges, and GST.
For natural gas, availability depends on whether your address is connected to the North Island gas network. If you’re in the South Island, reticulated natural gas is not available; homes typically use LPG from specialist suppliers instead.
Types / examples
Common plan structures you may see with frank energy
The exact names can change, but the building blocks are familiar across the NZ market. frank energy typically offers:
- Low User plans: lower daily charge, higher per‑kWh rate. Suits households that use less electricity overall.
- Standard User plans: higher daily charge, lower per‑kWh rate. Suits homes with average to high usage.
- Time‑of‑Use (TOU): different rates for peak, off‑peak, and sometimes shoulder periods. Requires a smart meter profile that records usage by time.
- Controlled or “Day/Controlled”: a cheaper rate for appliances that the network can switch off briefly at peak times (commonly hot water cylinders). You still get hot water; the control just shaves short peaks.
- Electricity plus natural gas: one retailer for both where gas is available, so you manage a single energy bill.
Which plan might fit your home?
- Small apartment, mostly evenings, minimal heating: Low User or TOU if you can shift usage off‑peak.
- Family home with heat pump(s) and steady day‑time use: Standard User, possibly with controlled hot water.
- Work‑from‑home household: Standard User; consider TOU if you can move laundry, EV charging, or hot water to off‑peak hours.
- EV owner with flexible charging: TOU can pay off if off‑peak rates are much lower and you schedule charging overnight.
Plan comparison at a glance
| Plan type | How charges work | Best for | Watch‑outs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low User | Lower daily charge, higher per‑kWh | Light users, smaller homes, holiday homes | If your usage grows, you can pay more overall than Standard User |
| Standard User | Higher daily charge, lower per‑kWh | Average to high users, families, heated homes | Not ideal if you barely use power |
| Time‑of‑Use | Different rates by time of day | People who can shift usage to off‑peak, EV owners | If you can’t shift load, you may hit more peak pricing |
| Controlled (add‑on) | Cheaper rate for switchable load (e.g., hot water) | Homes with suitable wiring/metering | Needs the right meter set‑up; not all homes qualify |
Important note on low fixed charges
New Zealand is phasing out low fixed charge regulations over several years (the change began in 2022). That means Low User benefits are gradually shrinking. If you’re on a Low User plan with frank energy, review your usage each year to make sure it still saves you money compared with Standard User pricing.
Pros and cons
Why people choose frank energy
- Clear, online‑first sign‑up and account management.
- Backed by Genesis Energy, a long‑established NZ gentailer.
- Smart‑meter friendly plans, including options that reward off‑peak use where available.
- Electricity nationwide, with natural gas in parts of the North Island.
- Straightforward plan structure that’s easy to compare using your own usage data.
Where frank energy may not suit
- Rates vary by region and meter type; without your actual usage, you can’t assume it’s the cheapest.
- If you prefer in‑person service or walk‑in stores, an online‑led retailer may feel hands‑off.
- Time‑of‑Use only helps if you can shift demand to off‑peak hours.
- Gas is North Island only; South Island customers needing LPG must use a separate supplier.
- Prices can change when network or wholesale costs move; fixed‑term certainty may be limited or conditional.
How to use or choose
Step‑by‑step: Decide if frank energy fits your home
- Gather your usage: Download 12 months of kWh from your current retailer or note totals from your last few bills.
- Check your meter setup: Smart meter? Any controlled circuits (hot water)? TOU ready? This affects which frank energy plans you can use.
- Estimate your profile: Are you home during the day? Do you run heaters or dehumidifiers in winter? EV charging overnight?
- Pick a user type: Light usage tends to suit Low User; heavier usage leans Standard User. Keep the low fixed charge phase‑out in mind.
- Compare offers: Use Powerswitch (by Consumer NZ) and the Electricity Authority’s tools to compare frank energy against other retailers using your actual kWh.
- Check key terms: Daily and unit rates, TOU times, controlled rates, fees (late payment, credit card), and any exit fees if fixed‑term.
- Sign up online: Provide address, ICP (if asked), ID, and payment details. frank energy will handle the switch.
- Confirm the first bill: Make sure meter reads, controlled status, and plan type match what you chose.
- Optimise: If on TOU, move laundry, dishwasher, and EV charging off‑peak. Consider a hot water timer if compatible.
- Review annually: Re‑check frank energy pricing against your updated usage and the market each year.
What to check on any frank energy quote
- The fixed daily charge and the variable per‑kWh rate for your exact network area.
- Peak, off‑peak, and any shoulder times if it’s a TOU plan.
- Whether your hot water is on a controlled rate (and that it’s correctly wired/metered).
- Natural gas availability if you want dual fuel (North Island only).
- Payment options and any fees that matter to you (direct debit, credit card, late payment).
FAQ
Is frank energy cheap?
It can be cost‑effective for many households, but no retailer is cheapest for everyone. Your location, meter, and usage pattern matter more than the brand name. Use your own kWh history to compare frank energy against others on Powerswitch.
Who owns frank energy?
frank energy is a retail brand of Genesis Energy Limited, a major New Zealand electricity generator and retailer.
Does frank energy supply gas?
Yes, frank energy supplies natural gas where the North Island gas network is available. There is no reticulated natural gas in the South Island. For LPG cylinders, use a dedicated LPG supplier.
What is a Low User plan?
A Low User plan has a lower daily charge and higher per‑kWh price, designed for homes that use less electricity. New Zealand is phasing out low fixed charge regulations over several years, so the savings from Low User plans are reducing. Compare Low User versus Standard User using your actual usage before you choose with frank energy.
How fast can I switch to frank energy?
Most switches with smart meters finish within a few business days. Exact timing depends on meter data cycles and your network area. You won’t usually need a site visit for a standard electricity switch.
Are there exit fees with frank energy?
It depends on the plan. Open‑term plans typically have no break fee. Fixed‑term plans in the NZ market may include exit fees. Check the plan details when you sign up with frank energy.
Does frank energy work with solar?
Many NZ retailers offer solar export buy‑back. Availability, eligibility, and rates change over time. If you have PV, ask frank energy for its current buy‑back rate and meter requirements before you switch.
Can renters switch to frank energy?
Yes, if you’re the account holder for electricity at the property. You don’t need landlord permission for standard electricity switching. For gas or LPG hardware, check your tenancy agreement first.
How are frank energy prices built?
Your bill includes a fixed daily charge, a variable per‑kWh charge, network and metering costs for your area, and GST. If you’re on Time‑of‑Use or controlled, the per‑kWh rate varies by time and load type.
What’s the simplest way to get a sharp deal?
Use 12 months of your kWh, compare frank energy against other retailers for your address on Powerswitch, choose the plan that fits your usage pattern, then review again each year. Small changes, like shifting EV charging off‑peak or putting hot water on a controlled rate, can make a real dent in your bill.
Bottom line
frank energy brings plain‑spoken, digital‑first power to New Zealand homes and small businesses. The value you get hinges on your usage and meter setup, not marketing. Gather your data, compare carefully, and pick the frank energy plan that matches how you live. That’s how you turn “straightforward” into real savings.
