By doing a comparison of electricity prices and switching to the cheapest deal on an annual basis, households can save significant amounts of money. There have been quite a few price rises already in 2021 – we have updated our figures with all the recent and upcoming price increases included in calculations
Before 2011 the only domestic electricity provider in Ireland was Electric Ireland. (It was known as ESB then).
However, since the deregulation of electricity in 2011, consumers can now choose from several electricity suppliers such as Energia, SSE Airtricity, Panda , Bright , Iberdrola or Bord Gais Energy.
The electricity switching market in Ireland is usually very competitive. Most of the energy suppliers regularly have special offers, discount codes or cashback promotions. However, figures from the CRU show that many thousands of people in Ireland have never switched electricity supplier – (about 35% of all households).
Who has the Cheapest Electricity Deal in Ireland in December 2021 ?
At the start of December 2021, we did a Comparison of Electricity Prices available in Ireland for new customers and this is what we found:
See the figures below.
| Annual Electricity Usage | Cheapest Provider (Over 1st Year) | Next Best |
|---|---|---|
| Very High (8000 kWh) | Bord Gais (€1573) | Energia (€1671) |
| High (6000kWh) | Bord Gais (€1251) | Energia €1294 |
| Medium (4200 kWh) | Energia €955 | Bord Gais (€962) |
| Low (3000 kWH) | Energia €729 | Bord Gais (€769) |
Very High Electricity Usage
A large household with more than 5 or 6 occupants could use as much as 8000 kwh a year. This is almost double the average usage.
Currently, the best switching deal for very high electricity usage homes is from Bord Gais Energy. They work out at €1573 in year one.
Energia is second best at €1671 in year one – includes €140 cashback.
High Electricity Usage:
Electricity consumption of 6000 kwH per year might be typical for high usage households. Generally speaking, electricity usage will be higher than average in larger homes with four or more occupants.
However, some smaller households that use electricity for both heating and hot water may also have high electricity .
Currently, the best switching deal for high electricity usage homes is from Bord Gais Energy. They work out at €1251 in year one.
Energia is second best at €1294 in year one – includes €140 cashback.
Average Electricity Usage
For medium-sized homes that probably use gas, oil or solid fuel to provide heating and hot water, an annual electricity usage of about 4200 Kwh a year would be typical. (This is the national average usage figure.)
The cheapest deal for average electricity usage is from Energia – their €140 cashback offer and 41% discount works out at €955 in year one . This deal is only available direct from Energia
Bord Gais Energy works out at €962 in year one.
Best for Low Electricity Usage :
Smaller households will obviously use less electricity. Typical usage for a 1 or 2 person household that doesn’t use electricity for heating might be 3000kwh per year.
The cheapest deal for low electricity usage is from Energia – their €140 cashback offer and 41% discount works out at €729 in year one . This deal is only available direct from Energia
Bord Gais Energy works out at €769 in year one.
(The 2 year contract from Electric Ireland may show up as cheaper on comparison sites – but when you spread the cashback over the 2 years it works out at €837 in year one)
Switch Annually
In all cases – after the first 12 months with a supplier, households should always compare electricity prices and look into switching supplier again to obtain the best deal.
See a Summary of the Average Usage Cheapest Electricity prices here
When we do our Comparison of Electricity Prices, we always include cashback offers in the calculations. However, some comparison sites don’t automatically include cashback in the price. For this reason, do not assume that the deal shown at the top of a comparison site is actually the cheapest one available.
As you can see, cashback offers can make a big difference when comparing electricity prices – especially for lower usage households.
Be wary of two-year contracts with cashback – they may show up as being the cheapest in year one on some comparison sites but may not really be the cheapest when the cashback is spread over 2 years. The 2-year cashback deals from Electric Ireland have a clawback clause that means you will have to return the cashback if you leave before the end of the contract.
Important – If you also have natural gas you should check our Dual Fuel Price Comparison
Ultimately you should be planning on switching your energy supplier every 12 months to take advantage of all these special offers. If you don’t switch, your provider will just put you back on their standard rates after the first year.
Switching only takes a few minutes – and as we have shown it can easily save you in the region of €250 just on electricity bills over a year.
Figures correct December 2nd 2021
Average Electricity Bills in Ireland
Electricity Saving Tips from the SEAI