Energy Locals Review: Is It Worth Your Money?

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Quick Facts

This Energy Locals review examines real pricing data, customer feedback, and service quality to uncover whether the company’s wholesale model truly delivers value.

• Founded: 2015 by former EnergyAustralia executive Adrian Merrick
• Ownership: Australian-owned; backed by impact investors Palisade Impact and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)
• Business Model: Wholesale-linked electricity plus a fixed membership fee – the provider claims zero mark-up on usage
• Customer Rating: 4.8 / 5 average from ~2,800 ProductReview users.

About Energy Locals

Energy Locals pitches a compelling alternative to traditional energy companies: pay a flat membership fee, access wholesale rates, and avoid usage-based mark-ups. Theoretically, it’s a fair and transparent model and they claim sustainable values.

However, in this energy local review, we examine member bills across several States, we show that the apparent savings vanish under the weight of membership, supply, and usage charges. Real costs consistently surpass those of the genuinely cheapest market plans. Sustainability is a mirage as well.

Energy Local Pricing Review – State-by-State Comparison

Energy locals reviews -Victoria (VIC) Urban and Rural

Insight: Energy Locals’ reviews of electricity plans in Victoria are consistently $322–$436 more expensive than the cheapest market alternatives. Add in gas costs, and some households are paying up to $511 extra annually, erasing the value of the so‑called “wholesale” model. They access the same electricty as everyone else with no added sustainability credentials.

Energy locals reviews -New South Wales (NSW) Urban and Rural

Insight: Consumers in NSW face even steeper overpayments—$332–$477 per year in higher electricity costs with Energy Locals, especially in Essential Energy zones. Despite the brand’s so called green credentials, this price gap undermines any sustainability value.

Energy locals reviews – Queensland (QLD) Urban and Rural

Insight: In Queensland, Energy Locals’ price gap is smaller yet still significant—ranging $136–$298 more annually depending on tariff type. Even in this fewest‑dollars‑lost scenario, cheaper options still outperform the membership-based model.

Energy locals reviews -South Australia (SA) Urban and Rural

Insight: South Australians pay $160–$199 more per year with Energy Locals than they would under the lowest-cost plans. Even with better competition, the wholesale-fee model doesn’t deliver on savings.

Energy Locals Review: Just How Much Extra Are People Paying?

Across all states, Energy Locals’ cheapest plans routinely exceed the cheapest market alternatives—a troubling pattern for those who value transparency:

• VIC: $322–$436 more for electricity—gas adds even more.
• NSW: $332–$477 higher across distributors.
• QLD: $136–$298 premium across tariffs.
• SA: $160–$199 annual overpayment.

Why It Matters

1. The promise of savings evaporates once membership and hidden charges are included.
2. Loyalty penalties sap value—ACCC reports Australians lose $238/year on average by never switching.
3. Over 80% of households are overpaying simply by staying static.
4. “Wholesale pricing” doesn’t guarantee the cheapest outcome in practice.
   

Customer Service – What Works and What Doesn’t

Strengths:

• Highly rated: 4.8/5 on ProductReview with staff like Patrice and Neval frequently praised. (Source: productreview.com.au)
• Award-winning service: Named 2025’s top-rated energy provider. Note that an Award by Finder is arguably not independent. (Source: energylocals.com.au)
• Operates with local support and responsiveness.

Weaknesses:

• High charges can lead to surprise bills for consumers.
• Solar feed-in tariffs are quite low (~1c/kWh), which impacts solar households.
• Limited tools: No app and reduced phone support on economy plans. (Source: energylocals.com.au FAQ, whirlpool.net.au)
  

Final Thoughts – Where Energy Umpire Comes In

At Energy Umpire, we’re an independent energy comparison service that cuts through confusion—comparing every provider, every plan, without commissions or bias. Our sourced rate comparisons expose cost layers—like the ones you see here—and help customers switch or stay informed as new deals emerge. (Source: energyumpire.com.au FAQ, about us)

In essence:

• Energy Locals’ polished brand and service don’t offset the consistent overpayments across states.
• Your real savings come from ongoing comparison—not “set-and-forget”.
• Energy Umpire exists to keep energy providers accountable and help customers access the genuinely cheapest plans, always.
  

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