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 in the past few months and more might be on the way later in 2022 . Some very big price rises have been announced for October 2022 by Electric Ireland and Bord Gais Energy . Other suppliers are expected to increase prices in October too.
You can still get discounted deals – but these discounts may not be available for much longer.
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, or Bord Gais Energy.
A couple of Energy suppliers have pulled out of Ireland in 2022 (Panda , Bright and Iberdrola).
The electricity switching market in Ireland is usually very competitive. Most energy suppliers regularly have special offers, discount codes or cashback promotions. These offers are probably going to be less common now as energy prices increase.
Figures from the CRU show that many thousands of people in Ireland have never switched electricity suppliers – (about 35% of all households). But – there are still substantial savings to be made by switching your electricity supplier.
Who has the Cheapest Electricity Deal in Ireland in September 2022 ?
On September 25th 2022, we did a Comparison of Electricity Prices available in Ireland for new customers on standard meters and this is what we found: The figures include price increases due in October. (All prices take account of the reduced VAT)
See the figures below.
| Annual Electricity Usage | Cheapest Provider (Over 1st Year) | 2nd Cheapest Electricity Provider (Over 1st Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Very High (8000 kWh) | One Big Switch | Prepay Power |
| High (6000kWh) | One Big Switch | Electric Ireland |
| Medium (4200 kWh) | One Big Switch | Electric Ireland |
| Low (3000 kWH) | One Big Switch | Electric Ireland |
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.
The cheapest deal at the moment is available If you sign up with One Big Switch . Members can take advantage of a discounted electricity offer with Bord Gais Energy . (33% off standard Bord Gais rates for a year.)
Taking account of the upcoming October increase – this discounted rate will result in an annual bill of €2906 usage of 8000Kwh
Currently, the next best switching deal for very high electricity usage homes is from PrePay Power at €3438
You can check other figures for your own household on the Switcher website
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.
The lowest priced deal at the moment is available via One Big Switch . They have a discounted electricity offer with Bord Gais Energy . (33% off standard Bord Gais rates for a year.)
Taking account of the upcoming October increase – this discounted rate will result in an annual bill of €2265 for 6000Kwh usage.
Currently, the next best switching deal for high electricity usage homes is from Electric Ireland at €2655 in year one.
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 at the moment is available If you sign up with One Big Switch . Members can take advantage of a discounted electricity offer with Bord Gais Energy . (33% off standard Bord Gais rates for a year.)
Taking account of the upcoming October increase – this discounted rate will result in an annual bill of €1685 for average usage.
Electric Ireland is the next cheapest at €1921 in year one for average usage.
You can check the figures for your own household on the Switcher website
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 usage households is available through One Big Switch .
Members can take advantage of a discounted electricity offer with Bord Gais Energy . (33% off standard Bord Gais rates for a year.)
Taking account of the upcoming October increase – this discounted rate will result in an annual bill of €1302 for 3000kwh usage.
Electric Ireland has the second lowest price at €1432 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.
You can check the figures for your own household on the Switcher website
More here about One Big Switch
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 hundreds of Euros on electricity bills over a year.
Figures correct Sept 25th 2022
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