Topical news on electricity
Energy issues are of great interest at present, and our Customer Service is exceptionally busy. On this page, we have compiled current information on the energy market and answers to our customers' most frequently asked questions.
Change in VAT
In line with a decision by Parliament, VAT will rise from the current 24% to 25.5% from 1 September 2024. The increase in VAT will increase VAT prices from 1.9.2024 in line with its impact.
We note VAT automatically on your invoice and no action is
required on your part. You can see the current price on your invoice and on the Oma Helen service.
Value added tax rate for electricity will revert to 24 per cent as from 1 May 2023
In accordance with the Parliament’s decision, the rate of value added tax for electricity was temporarily reduced for the period 1 December 2022 – 30 April 2023. The value added tax rate for electricity consumed during this period has been 10 per cent instead of the standard 24 per cent.
As from 1 May 2023, the value added tax paid for electricity will revert to the standard level of 24 per cent. We will take the change in the value added tax rate into account automatically on the bills and no action is required from your part.
Oma Helen serves 24 hours a day
In the Oma Helen service, you can easily deal with your contract and energy matters at any time, just when it suits you best. You can check how much your electricity costs, change the due date of your bill, the number of bills and billing method, track your energy consumption right down to an hourly level, and check your billing history. Download the Oma Helen app from the app store or log into Oma Helen in the browser.
How to save energy
Smart energy usage and cutting back on unnecessary energy consumption are the most effective ways to ensure that there is sufficient electricity in all situations. You will also save on your electricity bills when you rationalise your own energy consumption.
It is easy to start saving energy in your home, for example, by reducing the room temperature, spending less time in the shower, and cutting down on the use of entertainment electronics. It is worth switching off all electricity-consuming devices and disconnecting chargers from the socket when not in use. An electric sauna uses a fair amount of energy, and therefore it is worth avoiding lengthy sauna sessions. In addition, learning the basic principles of ventilation, heating and cooling also help to save energy.
In the Oma Helen service, you can monitor your energy consumption even at the hourly level and learn when your electricity usage is at its highest.
Electricity market situation
The price of electricity is exceptionally high compared to previous years. In everyday life, we may not be used to thinking about electricity, but when prices rise, many people are understandably concerned about the electricity price.
The price of electricity is influenced by a number of factors. The geopolitical situation, Russia's sanctions and the delay in the Olkiluoto 3 plant becoming operational have increased the cost of procuring electricity. In addition, decisions taken in Central Europe, and Germany in particular, to reduce and phase out nuclear power have had an impact on the overall electricity production volumes, and the replacement investments based on renewable energy are not yet sufficient to fully meet demand. The rise in electricity prices is affecting the whole of Europe, and Finland is not alone with the price rises.
Temporary reduction to value added tax on electricity
In accordance with the Finnish Parliament’s decision, the rate of value added tax on electricity will be temporarily reduced from 1 December 2022 to 30 April 2023. During this period, the rate of value added tax will be 10 per cent instead of the normal 24 per cent. The decision was made due to the rise of electricity prices as a result of the energy crisis.
The reduced rate of value added tax applies to the energy fee and energy basic charge, but not to the distribution fee, distribution basic charge, and electricity tax. We will take the reduced rate of value added tax into account automatically on electricity bills for consumption between December and April and no action is required from your part. You can find your electricity price with the effective rate of value added tax in the Oma Helen service.
Energy transition increases self-sufficiency
Renewable energy production increases self-sufficiency and reduces the need to import energy from abroad. With the development of renewable energy production and new technological solutions becoming established and scaled, electricity price peaks are also likely to level off.
We are working harder than ever towards energy self-sufficiency. We have backed the development of electricity production with wind power and invested in wind farms in Ostrobothnia, for example. Our strong and reliable electricity network enables the distribution of energy and plays an important role in the energy transition.
Exchange Electricity gives you control of your electricity bill
Helen's supply obligation product, Exchange Electricity, allows you to have an impact on the total amount of your electricity bill. Exchange Electricity is an electricity contract in which the price of electricity varies by the hour according to the market price of the power exchange. This way the price of Exchange Electricity is always competitively tendered and up-to-date. Exchange Electricity prices are usually at their lowest in the evenings, at night and at weekends. You can have an impact on the total amount of your electricity bill by shifting your consumption to lower-cost hours.
Read more about Exchange Electricity
Optimise the benefits of Exchange Electricity by tracking the electricity spot price in the Oma Helen service. With the price data, you can reduce your electricity consumption when electricity is more expensive and take advantage of lower-cost hours. To use Oma Helen, download the Oma Helen app from your app store or log in to Oma Helen on the browser.
Questions about the customership
Oma Helen serves around the clock right when it suits you best. The service allows you to deal with anything concerning your electricity contract conveniently. For example, you can check the details of your current electricity contract and how much your electricity costs, change the due date of your bill, the number of bills and the way you are billed, view your billing history, transfer your current contract to a new address, and change your contact details. Oma Helen also gives you a comprehensive overview of your energy usage and production, down to an hourly basis. You can use Oma Helen either in your browser or through the mobile app.
Log in to Oma Helen here or download the mobile app here.
Log in to Oma Helen on the browser
You can view the details of your current electricity contract and the price you are paying for electricity in Oma Helen. Among other things, the service also allows you to change the due date of your bill, the number of bills and the way you are billed, view your billing history, transfer your current contract to a new address, and change your contact details. Oma Helen also gives you a comprehensive overview of your energy usage and production, down to an hourly basis. You can use Oma Helen either in your browser or through the mobile app. Log in to Oma Helen here or download the mobile app here.
Log in to Oma Helen on the browser
A fixed-term contract protects against an increase in the price of electricity and guarantees that the price will remain the same until the end of the contract period. If you move during the contract period, you can choose whether to continue with the old contract or make a new electricity contract.
If your electricity contract is for a fixed term and you move, we will continue your contract at the same price at the new address until the end of the contract period. You will receive a new offer about one month before the end of the current contract period.
When a fixed-term contract comes to an end, the contract automatically continues to be valid indefinitely. Currently, our contracts that are valid indefinitely are exchange electricity contracts if your fixed-term contract ends no later than 28 May 2023. Because of the change to the Electricity Market Act, from 29 May 2023 our contracts that are valid indefinitely are, depending on your previous contact, Basic Electricity, Time-of-Day Electricity or Wind Power. You can change a contract that is valid indefinitely in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.
You can change your contact details, such as your name, phone number and e-mail address, in Oma Helen. In Oma Helen, you can also change the due date of your bill, the number of bills and the way you are billed, for example. At helen.fi, you can notify changes using the contact details change form. Please be sure to notify us of the new billing address, last name or other similar change in one of the above ways, as the changes made at the Local Register Office or Posti do not update our customer information.
Log in to Oma Helen on the browser
You can submit a notification of moving in Oma Helen or on our website. Please remember that the electricity contract is always specific to an address. You can have several contracts in force at the same time at different addresses. You may need power at two places, for example if you are renovating your new home, but still living at your old address.
Make an electricity contract for your new home at least two weeks before moving. This is to make sure that the electricity is connected on the moving day. Start the new contract from the date you want the electricity supply to start. Please let us also know the date on which we should change your billing address. Your old contract ends only when you terminate it yourself or when a new customer makes their own contract at your old address. Terminate your old contract on the date when the removal is completed.
The electricity is cut off at the end of the contract if a new customer has not made a contract.
Log in to Oma Helen on the browser
We will send you a contract confirmation once your local distribution system operator has confirmed the start date of the contract. If you have a valid fixed-term contract with another electricity seller, your contract with Helen will start after it has ended.
The information in the contract confirmation is valid at the time of sending. If you have notified us of changes, they will take effect on the agreed date. For example, a new billing address is updated for the contract when the new contract enters into force.
If you are moving, you can terminate your old contract at the same time as making a contract for the new address. Make a new contract for your new home here.
If you do not need a new contract, please terminate your contract while logged in, using the form here.
Go to the electricity contract for businesses here.
Questions about the electricity bills
You can postpone the due date of your electricity bill in Oma Helen. If your payment history is in order and you do not have any overdue bills outstanding, you can postpone the due date in our online service. If the postpone function does not appear in our service, ask about the facility by phone. The due date of the original bill can be postponed before the bill is due for payment. The due date on a payment reminder cannot be postponed.
Postponement of the invoice due date is free of charge when done through the Oma Helen service. A service fee of 5 euros applies for transactions by phone and email. The service fee will be charged on the next invoice.
If you are using e-bills, change the due date also in your internet bank. The due date of a direct debit bill cannot be postponed. Interest for late payment will be charged on bills paid after the original due date.
Electricity distribution and electricity sales are separated from one another. Your local network company is responsible for electricity distribution and will send you a separate bill, and your selected electricity supplier will also send their own bill for the amount of electricity sold. As an exception to this, Helen offers its electricity sale customers in Helsinki a combined bill with Helen Sähköverkko.
The most common billing interval with electricity bills is three months. For a household with electric heating, we recommend having a monthly billing interval so that individual bills will not be too large. If you wish to change the billing interval of your electricity bills, you can do it by logging in to our online service Oma Helen. You can choose between 4, 6 or 12 bills per year.
You can sign an e-billing agreement in your own online bank. For requesting Helen’s bills, you will need the reference number on our bill.
Helen delivers electricity and district heat bills also to Posti’s OmaPosti service. The agreement on the use of OmaPosti is made with Posti. Our bills that would otherwise be received in the letter post can be directed to OmaPosti.
You can find your electricity bills in our online service. If you haven't registered yet, you can do it via online bank.
Electric energy
Electric energy means the energy and service provided by an electricity seller. The amount of energy to be billed is most commonly based on the volume of electricity (kWh) consumed during the billing period.
Electricity transmission
Electricity transmission is provided by the local distribution system operator. In Helsinki, the operator is Helen Electricity Network Ltd. The function of the electricity network is to transfer electricity produced in power plants to consumers. The electricity network is maintained by the electricity transmission charges. The Energy Authority monitors the charges to ensure they are reasonable.
Electricity tax
Electricity tax is paid on the consumption of electricity. The tax consists of excise duty on electricity and a security of supply charge. The distribution system operator bills the electricity tax from the customer along with the transmission charge and passes it on to the government.
Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
The watt-hour (Wh) is the unit of energy corresponding to the wattage output for one hour. Generally, the unit of measuring electric energy is the kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is 1,000 Watt-hours.
Questions about saving energy
Smart energy usage and cutting back on unnecessary energy consumption are the most effective ways to ensure that there is sufficient electricity in all situations. Energy saving is particularly important during consumption peaks. You will also save on your electricity bills when you rationalise your own energy consumption.
It is easy to start saving energy in your home, for example, by reducing the room temperature, spending less time in the shower, and cutting down on the use of entertainment electronics. It is worth switching off all electricity-consuming devices and disconnecting chargers from the socket when not in use. An electric sauna uses a fair amount of energy, and therefore it is worth avoiding lengthy sauna sessions. In addition, learning the basic principles of ventilation, heating and cooling also helps to save energy.
The energy consumption of electrical appliances depends, e.g. on their age, position and way of use. New appliances are often more energy-efficient than old ones. It is possible to view the energy consumption data of especially new electrical appliances in stores that sell household appliances or on the appliance manufacturers’ websites. A power consumption meter installed between the appliance and the socket can be used for monitoring exactly how much energy an individual appliance uses.
Electricity consumption of society is usually at its lowest at night and at weekends. Consumption peaks often take place on weekday mornings and afternoons, during which time it is worth avoiding energy usage. This is especially important when using Exchange Electricity where the price of electricity varies by the hour according to the market price of the power exchange.
It is advisable to set the timer for domestic washing machines to operate at night-time, and it is sensible to charge an electric vehicle during the night. It is also worthwhile to have underfloor heating and other electrical heating appliances on during periods of low price levels. And perhaps go to the sauna only at weekends.
In the Oma Helen service you can monitor your energy consumption even at the hourly level and learn when your electricity usage is at its highest. The service also offers various useful comparisons based on data - for example, reviewing of consumption variations on a monthly level, or the breakdown of consumption for day and night time. Oma Helen can also be used on a web browser in addition to a mobile app. Download the free app from your app store or log in to the browser service.
Questions about the electricity market situation
There are many issues to consider when selecting an electricity contract and company. The electricity market is currently undergoing a serious crisis, which affects all electricity companies. Price changes caused by the crisis affect all electricity contracts, regardless of the type of contract or the electricity company. In Helen's range, you will always find an electricity contract that is just right for you at the market price.
The price of electricity has been extremely volatile recently, and the unstable world situation is not making it easier to predict price developments. The price is affected by a number of factors, such as the production costs and source of the electricity and the general market situation. Electricity price formation is also influenced by matters like the weather, production-consumption balance, world economic situation and the prices of raw materials.
Both the spot prices of exchange electricity and futures prices that predict future electricity prices have risen sharply recently. A fixed-price electricity contract makes predictable monthly or annual electricity costs possible.
Unfortunately, in the current market situation, we are unable to offer a right to switch to a fixed-term contract.
Along with other operators, the situation is challenging also for companies that sell electricity. Helen's risk management competence and operating processes are first class, and we have done well in areas like forecasting and balancing procurement and sales and fixing contract prices. Even in this situation, we are able to sell and supply electricity reliably and responsibly.
Electricity prices are currently rising purely as a result of rising market prices, and this is not based on increased margins. Helen always acts responsibly and taking a long-term view: at worst, selling at a loss could lead to the company no longer being able to operate.
Exchange Electricity is becoming increasingly popular. With the help of Exchange Electricity, our customers have been able to reduce their consumption by 15%, a very considerable amount which is reflected in our customers' costs.
Even small choices and everyday actions can have a significant impact on your electricity consumption and thus on the size of your electricity bill. Energy consumption is affected by factors like the size of the home, number of residents, usage habits, and the number, age and condition of electrical appliances. Helen encourages its customers to save energy. Please see our savings tips for the exceptional situation here:
Questions about products
Helen's supply obligation products are Exchange Electricity and Consumption Electricity.
No, are not. The Exchange Electricity and Consumption Electricity contracts are valid until further notice. If you wish, you can terminate your Exchange Electricity or Consumption contract by giving two weeks' notice.
As an Exchange Electricity customer, you benefit from watching your consumption. We recommend using the Oma Helen service, which gives you a comprehensive overview of your energy usage down to an hourly basis. With the help of Oma Helen, you can easily optimise your electricity usage. For example, you can set the dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer to operate at night, as well as charging the electric car, and the sauna can be heated at weekends. If you heat your home with electricity, it pays to have it on when the price is low or moderate. Electricity prices are usually lowest at night and at weekends.
Oma Helen allows you to also track the electricity spot price. With the help of price data, you can reduce your electricity usage when it is expensive and take advantage of the cheapest hours.
Did you know that you can deal with your energy matters in Oma Helen?
Oma Helen is at your service around the clock, right when it suits you best. In Oma Helen, you can easily check the details of your contract and monitor your energy usage - down to an hourly basis. The service is available free of charge.
Current issues in August: what is happening in the electricity market?
The situation in the electricity market has given rise to a wide debate in recent times. Last autumn, the prices of the Nordic power exchange rose significantly. The same trend has also continued this year: the prices have more than doubled since the beginning of the year.
What does the price of electricity consist of? - 3 matters
The price of electricity consists of three almost equal components: electrical energy, electricity distribution, and electricity tax. Together with your own electricity consumption, each one of these has an impact on the amount of your electricity bill. See what these terms mean and why the price of electricity is currently rising.
