By doing a comparison of electricity prices and switching to the cheapest deal on an annual basis, households can save significant amounts of money.
An average household that is still on Electric Ireland’s standard rates could save around €250 in just 12 months by switching suppliers.
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, BE Energy, SSE Airtricity, Panda , Bright , Iberdrola or Bord Gais Energy.
The electricity switching market in Ireland is 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 September 2021 ?
In early September 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 €1465 | Electric Ireland €1502 |
| High (6000kWh) | Bord Gais €1173 | Electric Ireland €1196 |
| Medium (4200 kWh) | Bord Gais €910 | Electric Ireland €921 |
| Low (3000 kWH) | Electric Ireland €688 | Bord Gais €783 |
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 . Their deal works out at €1465 in year one for 8000Kwh.
Currently, the second best switching deal for very high electricity usage homes is from Electric Ireland. Their EnergySaver 30 deal works out at €1502 in year one for 8000Kwh.
The next best deal is available from Energia (€1527 ). This is a 41% discount with €35 cashback and is only available on the Energia 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
Currently, the best switching deal for high electricity usage homes is from Bord Gais . Their deal works out at €1173 in year one for 6000Kwh.
The second best switching deal for high electricity usage homes is from Electric Ireland. Their EnergySaver 30 deal works out at €1196 in year one for 6000 Kwh. usage.
Currently, the third best switching deal for high electricity usage homes is available from Energia (€1210 ). This deal comes with €35 cashback and a 41% discount. Only available through Energia
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.)
Bord Gais Energy has the cheapest electricity deal for switchers. Their deal with €35 cashback, works out at €910 in year one for average usage.
Electric Ireland’s 1 year EnergySaver deal works out at €921 in year one and is currently the next cheapest electricity deal.
If you are already with Electric Ireland – then Energia has the third-cheapest electricity deal for switchers. Their deal with €35 cashback, works out at €925 in year one. (For average usage). This deal is only available here on the Energia 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.
Electric Ireland’s €210 cashback deal, on 1 year contract, works out at €688 over the first year. Available through Switcher .
(Their two-year contract works out at €783 in year one if the €230 cashback is spread over 2 years).
Bord Gais will work out at €734 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 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 Sept 3rd 2021
Average Electricity Bills in Ireland
Electricity Saving Tips from the SEAI