If your energy bills arrived this winter and made you wince, you are not alone — Irish households pay some of the highest electricity prices in Europe. But the tools to slash your bill are free, require no phone call, and take about ten minutes to use.
Average annual dual-fuel bill in Ireland (2025): around €2,300 ·
Households that switched supplier in 2024: over 400,000 ·
Potential annual savings by switching: up to €450 ·
Number of accredited comparison sites in Ireland: 3 (Switcher.ie, Bonkers.ie, PowerToSwitch.ie) ·
Cheapest electricity supplier as of March 2025: Yuno Energy (via Bonkers.ie data) ·
Gas unit rate range (p/kWh) in 2025: 10.25 – 11.26
Quick snapshot
- Gas is cheaper per kWh than electricity in Ireland (Bonkers.ie data)
- Yuno Energy is cheapest electricity supplier as of March 2025 (Bonkers.ie)
- 3 CRU-accredited comparison websites exist (Switcher.ie)
- Switching takes 2–4 weeks with no cancellation fees (SmartSaver.ie)
- Which supplier will be cheapest after the next quarterly price change (April 2025)
- Whether electric heat pumps become cheaper than gas long-term given SEAI grants and electricity price trends
- Exact rankings of dual fuel bundles because they change monthly
- Whether green energy tariffs remain competitively priced compared to standard tariffs
- Switch takes 2–4 weeks to complete (SmartSaver.ie)
- Suppliers update prices quarterly after CRU notification, next change due April 2025 (SmartSaver.ie)
- Bord Gáis Energy dual-fuel prices shown correct as of 12 October 2025 (Bord Gáis Energy)
- Quarterly price reviews from April 2025 could reshuffle the cheapest supplier title (The Irish Times)
- Heat pump grant applications via SEAI expected to increase as electricity prices rise (The Irish Times)
- Dual-fuel bundles likely to be adjusted for winter 2025 demand (The Irish Times)
By the numbers: what Irish households pay right now for gas and electricity.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest electricity supplier (March 2025) | Yuno Energy (approx 23.5c/kWh) | Bonkers.ie |
| Average gas unit rate (2025) | 10.25 – 11.26c/kWh | Bonkers.ie |
| Average electricity unit rate (2025) | 25 – 30c/kWh | Bonkers.ie, CRU |
| Number of accredited comparison sites | 3 | Switcher.ie |
| Typical annual dual fuel bill | €2,200 – €2,500 | Switcher.ie |
| Potential savings from switching | €250 – €450/year | SmartSaver.ie |
Who is the cheapest gas and electricity supplier in Ireland?
Current cheapest electricity suppliers (March 2025)
- Yuno Energy leads at roughly 23.5c/kWh, according to comparisons on Bonkers.ie.
- Electric Ireland comes in at ~25.2c/kWh on its standard tariff, per The Irish Times.
- Bord Gáis Energy charges roughly 26.0c/kWh for standard electricity.
- Energia stood at €1,270.44 annually for national average usage of 4,200 kWh in the Irish Times comparison — competitive but not cheapest.
Current cheapest dual fuel deals
- Flogas and Bord Gáis frequently compete for the best dual-fuel bundle price, with discounts for combining both fuels on one bill.
- Switcher.ie lists all dual-fuel deals from Bord Gáis, Electric Ireland, Energia, Flogas, PrepayPower, SSE Airtricity and Yuno Energy.
- Prices are updated quarterly by suppliers regulated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) — the next change is expected in April 2025.
How prices change each quarter
- Each supplier files a price change notice with the CRU, typically every three months.
- Comparison sites like Switcher.ie and Bonkers.ie update within days of any change.
- The current cheapest supplier today may not be cheapest next quarter — always recheck before switching.
The cheapest deal in March 2025 — Yuno Energy — could be overtaken in April. Quarterly price resets mean the cheapskate crown moves fast. Set a calendar reminder to recheck every three months.
Four suppliers, one pattern: the gap between the cheapest and the average standard tariff is roughly €200–€450 a year for a typical household. The implication: sitting on a standard tariff costs real money with no benefit in return.
Is it cheaper to use gas or electricity for heating in Ireland?
Cost per kWh: gas vs electricity (2025 rates)
- Gas runs at 10.25 to 11.26c/kWh, according to Bonkers.ie data.
- Electricity runs at 25 to 30c/kWh — roughly 2.5 to 3 times the price per unit.
- Standing charges add roughly €200–€270 a year for electricity, and about €100–€150 for gas, per CRU filings.
Efficiency of modern gas boilers vs heat pumps
- A modern gas boiler runs at 90–95% efficiency; new condensing models reach 94%.
- An air-source heat pump can deliver 300–400% efficiency (coefficient of performance 3–4), meaning it produces 3–4 kWh of heat for every 1 kWh of electricity.
- Even at heat pump efficiency, electricity still costs more per delivered kWh of heat than gas in current Irish pricing.
Running cost example: 3-bed semi-detached house
- A typical 3-bed semi in Ireland uses about 11,000 kWh of gas heating per year.
- At 10.5c/kWh, that is ~€1,155 for gas.
- To match with an electric heat pump (COP 3.5): need ~3,143 kWh of electricity at 28c/kWh = ~€880 — but with a €6,500–€10,000 heat pump installation cost (partially covered by SEAI grants up to €6,500).
Gas wins on upfront cost per kWh. Heat pumps can beat gas on running cost per unit of heat at current Irish electricity prices only if the home is extremely well insulated and the SEAI grant covers most of the installation. For most older Irish homes, gas remains cheaper.
The implication: gas is still the cheaper heat source per delivered kilowatt-hour in Ireland in 2025, despite electricity’s efficiency edge in heat pumps. The gap closes only with deep insulation investment.
Which is cheaper, Bord Gáis or Electric Ireland?
Electricity unit rate comparison
- Electric Ireland standard electricity tariff: ~25.2c/kWh as per The Irish Times comparison.
- Bord Gáis standard electricity tariff: ~26.0c/kWh.
- Electric Ireland is generally cheaper on electricity alone, though both offer discounts for paying by direct debit and signing up for paperless billing.
Gas unit rate comparison
- Bord Gáis gas unit rates hover around 10.5–11.0c/kWh (as of March 2025).
- Electric Ireland also offers gas but often prices its gas slightly higher except when bundled.
- Check latest on Switcher.ie for real-time comparisons.
Standing charges and discounts
- Electric Ireland standing charges: ~€220/year for electricity, ~€120/year for gas.
- Bord Gáis standing charges: similar range but can vary by region.
- Bord Gáis offers a dual-fuel discount of roughly €50–€80 off the combined annual bill.
The difference between these two big suppliers is small on unit rates — about 1c/kWh on electricity. The real saving comes if you bundle both fuels with one supplier and choose the one offering the best dual-fuel discount that quarter.
Two big suppliers, one pattern: the price gap between them is narrow, but the dual-fuel discount flips the winner each quarter. The implication: check both individually and bundled before committing — do not assume one is always cheaper.
Who is the most expensive energy supplier in Ireland?
Most expensive electricity supplier (current data)
- SSE Airtricity was least competitive among big players at approximately €1,402.52 per year for standard usage, per The Irish Times comparison.
- Energia was priced at €1,270.44 for the same usage — not cheapest but mid-pack.
- Prepay Power typically charges higher unit rates and standing charges for prepay meter customers.
Most expensive gas supplier
- Standard variable tariffs from legacy suppliers tend to be the most expensive.
- Prepay gas meters are generally the most expensive gas option due to higher daily standing charges and premium unit rates.
Why some suppliers charge more
- Legacy suppliers often keep customers on standard variable tariffs, which are typically 10–20% above the cheapest deals.
- Standing charges vary significantly: SSE Airtricity, for example, has higher standing charges than some competitors.
- Prepay meters attract a service premium of roughly €100–€150 per year per CRU.
The most expensive suppliers are not necessarily bad — they rely on inertia. Customers who have not switched in three years are almost certainly overpaying by €250–€450 per year. A ten-minute check on a comparison site usually fixes that.
The implication: the most expensive option is almost always the one you are on now if you have not switched recently. Standing charges, not unit rates, often define the expensive players.
Should I replace gas central heating with electric?
Cost comparison of replacement
- Replacing a gas boiler with an air-source heat pump costs €8,000–€14,000, per SEAI estimates.
- SEAI grants cover up to €6,500 for heat pump installation, reducing the net cost to €1,500–€7,500.
- Gas boiler replacement costs roughly €2,000–€4,000 — significantly lower upfront.
Long-term running costs
- Gas is cheaper per kWh: 10.25–11.26c vs electricity at 25–30c.
- Heat pump at COP 3.5 narrows running cost to about 8–9c per delivered kWh of heat — slightly cheaper than gas.
- But this only works if the home is well insulated (BER B2 or better); otherwise the heat pump runs inefficiently and costs more.
Environmental considerations
- Natural gas emits roughly 210g CO₂ per kWh; electricity is about 300g CO₂ per kWh on average in Ireland (grid mix), but dropping as renewables grow.
- Heat pumps cut carbon emissions by about 40–60% compared to gas if the grid continues to decarbonise.
Heat pumps are better for the climate and can be cheaper to run per unit of heat — but only in a properly insulated home. For the typical Irish semi-d with BER C or D, replacing a working gas boiler with a heat pump costs thousands upfront and may take 10+ years to recoup. Gas wins on practical economics today.
The implication: replacing a working gas boiler with electric heat is not recommended unless you are also deep retrofitting the house. For most households, keeping the gas boiler and switching to a cheaper gas supplier is the financially sensible move now.
How to compare gas and electricity deals near Dublin and across Ireland
Step 1: Find your current usage (kWh)
- Check your latest electricity and gas bills for the annual kWh figures.
- Your MPRN (electricity) and GPRN (gas) are on your bill — needed for switching.
- If you cannot find them, call your current supplier.
Step 2: Use accredited comparison websites
- The CRU accredits exactly three comparison sites: Switcher.ie, Bonkers.ie and PowerToSwitch.ie.
- All three are free, impartial and updated with the latest supplier prices.
- You need: current supplier name, tariff, estimated annual usage, supply region and payment method (Switcher.ie).
Step 3: Check dual fuel vs separate plans
- Dual fuel means switching to one supplier for both gas and electricity, simplifying the process (Bonkers.ie).
- Compare the total annual cost of a dual-fuel bundle against two separate cheapest single-fuel plans.
- Dual-fuel discounts range from €50 to €100 per year, but may not always beat separate cheapest deals.
Step 4: Submit switch request
- Once you choose a deal, the comparison site forwards your switch request to the new supplier.
- No cancellation fees apply (SmartSaver.ie).
- The switch takes 2–4 weeks under CRU regulation.
- Your supply will not be interrupted — it is seamless, per Bord Gáis Energy.
Switching takes 2–3 weeks for most household switches (SmartSaver.ie). No cancellation fee applies. But do not count the savings until the switch is confirmed — some suppliers take the full 4 weeks.
Four steps, one pattern: the process is simpler than cancelling a streaming subscription. No call centre hold music, no cancellation fee, no interruption. The implication: the only real barrier is the five minutes it takes to gather your MPRN and GPRN numbers.
“The average dual-fuel customer could save up to €707 by switching from a standard tariff to the cheapest deal.”
Switcher.ie (price comparison platform)
“Gas is cheaper per unit of energy than electricity in Ireland — roughly 10.5 cent per kWh versus around 27 cent per kWh.”
Bonkers.ie editor (accredited Irish comparison site)
“Heat pumps are eligible for SEAI grants of up to €6,500, which can bring the net installation cost down significantly, but the home must be well insulated.”
SEAI energy advisor (Irish state agency for sustainable energy)
“SSE Airtricity was the least competitive of the big players at €1,402.52 per year for standard usage.”
The Irish Times (Irish newspaper of record)
Upsides
- Switching is free and takes 2–4 weeks with no interruption to supply
- Free accredited comparison tools (Switcher.ie, Bonkers.ie, PowerToSwitch.ie) are impartial and updated regularly
- Potential savings of €250–€450/year for typical dual-fuel households
- No cancellation fees for switching suppliers
- Heat pumps offer long-term environmental benefits and SEAI grants reduce upfront cost
Downsides
- Prices change quarterly — cheapest supplier today may not be cheapest next quarter
- Dual-fuel bundles do not always beat separate cheapest single-fuel deals
- Prepay meters are significantly more expensive than standard billing
- Heat pump installation is costly (€8,000–€14,000) even with grant support
- Gas heating replacement with electric is rarely cost-effective for older homes without deep retrofit
For Irish households sitting on a standard variable tariff, the choice is clear: spend ten minutes on a CRU-accredited comparison site, or keep overpaying by €250 to €450 per year. The tools are free, the process is simple, and the only thing stopping you is inertia.
Related reading: Bord Gáis Dual Fuel: Compare Plans & Save in 2025 · Fuel Cost Calculator Ireland: Quick Guide 2026
getsortd.ie, powertoswitch.ie, irelandfocus.com, selectra.ie, compareelectricity.ie, switcher.ie, sseairtricity.com
For a detailed breakdown of the cheapest suppliers and how to switch, you can compare gas and electricity prices in Ireland to see the latest rates and savings tips.
Frequently asked questions
How do I switch gas and electricity supplier in Ireland?
Gather your MPRN (electricity) and GPRN (gas) from a recent bill, then visit one of the three CRU-accredited comparison sites: Switcher.ie, Bonkers.ie or PowerToSwitch.ie. Enter your usage details, compare deals, select one, and submit the switch request. Your new supplier handles the rest. No cancellation fees apply, and supply is not interrupted.
What is the cheapest time to use electricity in Ireland?
If you are on a smart meter with a time-of-use tariff (e.g., Electric Ireland’s NightSaver or Energia’s SmartSaver), electricity is cheapest between 11pm and 8am (off-peak). Standard 24-hour meters have flat rates regardless of time. Check with your supplier if you can switch to a smart meter tariff.
Does switching energy supplier affect my credit score?
No. Switching your energy supplier in Ireland does not affect your credit score. Energy suppliers do not report payment history to credit bureaus. Switching is purely a change of service provider, not a credit event.
Can I switch if I am on a prepay meter?
Yes, you can switch even if you have a prepay meter. However, prepay tariffs are typically more expensive than standard billing. Some suppliers like Prepay Power and Pinergy specialise in prepay, but you may save by switching to a standard billing plan if you pass a credit check.
What happens to my gas and electricity contract when I move house?
You should contact both your current supplier and your new property’s supplier to arrange meter readings and transfer. You can either cancel your existing contract (usually no exit fee) and start a new one at your new home, or in some cases transfer the contract to the new property if the supplier operates there.
Is it worth getting a dual fuel discount?
Dual-fuel discounts typically save €50–€100 per year compared to having separate suppliers for gas and electricity. However, you should compare the total annual cost — including standing charges and unit rates — against two separate cheapest single-fuel deals. Sometimes separate deals win.
How often do energy prices change in Ireland?
Energy suppliers in Ireland typically update prices quarterly, after notifying the CRU. The next batch of changes is expected in April 2025. Comparison sites like Switcher.ie and Bonkers.ie update within days of any change, so always check before switching.
Are green energy tariffs more expensive in Ireland?
Green energy tariffs — where your electricity is sourced from renewable energy — are usually comparable to standard tariffs and sometimes cheaper. Suppliers like Energia, SSE Airtricity and Bord Gáis offer 100% renewable electricity options. Compare the total annual cost on a comparison site rather than assuming green is more expensive.
For Irish households, the energy market rewards action. Keep your current supplier and you are almost certainly overpaying; switch using a free comparison tool and pocket €250–€450 a year. The next quarterly price change in April 2025 will reshuffle the winner again — but the strategy stays the same: check every three months, switch when it makes sense, and never pay for inertia.