Switch and save on your energy bills
January 13, 2015
If saving money is one of your New Year resolutions, have you checked if you can reduce some of your regular household bills? One way to do this is to take an area each month and see if you can save. As you may be facing into expensive energy bills after Christmas why not start with your gas and electricity bills? Or if you have been with the same provider for a while, it is worth checking what other competitors are offering as you may be able to make big savings by switching to a new provider.
How much can I save?
When we asked consumers (July 2014) who had switched gas and electricity providers in the last year, they reported average monthly savings of €36, over a year that is more than €430. 76% of those who had switched found the process easy. Consumers rated gas (92% said the process was easy) and electricity (89%) supply services as the easiest to switch. The Commission for Energy Regulation has approved energy price comparisons on bonkers.ie and switcher.ie, which can help you work out how much you may be able to save.
How do I switch?
If you do decide to switch, you will need to give your new provider your meter point registration number (MPRN).You will find this on your electricity bill and on your meter. Your new supplier will ask you for your address and a meter reading, so make sure you have this information. They will then make the necessary arrangements with your old supplier to have your account switched. If you are going to pay by direct debit, you will need to give your new supplier your bank details. Once your account has been switched, your new supplier will send you a welcome letter and you will receive a final bill from your old supplier. Make sure you read and understand the terms and conditions of your new contract.
I recently switched. How else can I save?
There are some changes you can make which will also help you to save money on your energy bills. For example reduce your heating to a comfortable 20°C. Lowering your thermostat by just 1°C can knock 10% off your heating bill. Leaving electrical appliances on standby, or leaving phone chargers plugged in when you’re not using them costs money – so unplug them! Unplugging all non-essential electrical appliances could reduce the average household electricity bill by between €50 and €100 a year.
Return to News