Wiktor Wise
Energy bills make up a large portion of household expenses, and with price rises on the horizon, it's important to save money where you can. Electric Ireland offers several ways to reduce your energy costs. From switching to a discounted deal to making your home more energy-efficient, you can cut your energy bills and do your bit for the environment. In this article, we will explore the various tactics you can implement to save on your energy consumption and reduce your gas and electricity bills with Electric Ireland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sign up for online billing | Save 0.5% on your bill |
| Pay by direct debit | Save 5% on your bill |
| Have both electricity and gas with Electric Ireland | Save 3% on your bill |
| Use a smart meter | Track your electricity usage and reduce your bill |
| Time-of-use price plans | Cheaper electricity at off-peak times |
| Turn down your thermostat | Save up to 10% on your heating bill |
| Install solar panels | Generate clean, green, renewable energy from daylight |
| Switch energy providers | Save up to €776 per year |
| Use a comparison website | Find the cheapest gas and electricity deal |
| Fix your energy plan | Guard against market fluctuations |
| Paperless billing | Save money |
| Submit regular meter readings | Avoid paying more than you need |
| Adjust your fridge and freezer temperatures | Recommended temperatures are 4ºC for fridges and -18ºC for freezers |
| Use a dishwasher | More energy-efficient than washing dishes by hand |
| Turn off appliances at the wall | Lower your electricity costs |
| Insulate your home | Keep warmth in and reduce energy bills |
| Wash clothes efficiently | Wash at 30 degrees, use liquid detergent, and only wash full loads |
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What You'll Learn
Save money by reducing your energy usage
One of the best ways to save money on your energy bills is by reducing your energy usage. Here are some ways to reduce your energy usage and save money:
Turn down the thermostat
Turn down the thermostat for your living areas to 20°C. The temperature in hallways and bedrooms should be cooler, ideally between 15-18°C. You can reduce your heating bill by 10% by lowering your room temperature by just one degree.
Turn appliances off at the wall
Home appliances left on standby use electricity, even when not in use. Turning your appliances off at the wall when you’re not using them lowers your electricity costs, especially if you have a busy family.
Adjust your fridge and freezer temperatures
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland's recommended temperature is 4ºC (39ºF) for fridges and -18ºC (0ºF) for freezers. If the settings are any cooler, electricity will be wasted.
Use a toaster oven instead of a full oven
It makes no financial sense to burn money heating up a large oven if you only have one item to cook or reheat. Batch cook when using the hob or the oven. You'll be able to freeze extra portions, and save on weekly electricity costs.
Wash your clothes efficiently
Avoid prewashing and wash your clothes at 30 degrees with a liquid detergent whenever possible. If your washing machine has an eco programme, use it to save 30% on energy usage and only put it on when you have a full load.
Install solar panels
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels on your roof can generate clean, green, renewable energy from daylight, which is a free and natural resource. Electric Ireland customers can avail of SEAI grants and installation of various size Solar PV arrays.
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Switch energy providers and tariffs
Switching energy providers and tariffs can help you save a significant amount of money on your energy bills. Here are some tips to guide you through the process:
Compare Suppliers and Tariffs
Use an impartial and independent price comparison website, such as Power to Switch, Switcher.ie, or Bonkers.ie, to compare all available gas and electricity suppliers and tariffs in Ireland. These websites will help you find the cheapest energy deals and exclusive offers, ensuring you pay the lowest price for your energy usage.
Understand Tariff Types
In Ireland, most tariffs are variable, meaning the unit rate prices can fluctuate throughout the year. However, some providers offer fixed tariffs, allowing you to pay the same rate throughout the year, which can be beneficial if you use more energy during winter. Smart plans and Time of Use (ToU) tariffs offer discounted rates during off-peak hours, encouraging you to use more energy during these times.
Consider Your Energy Needs
Evaluate your energy usage patterns and needs. If you have solar panels, for example, you may want to choose a supplier that offers a competitive buy-back rate for any surplus electricity you generate. Additionally, consider whether you want the convenience of a single supplier for both electricity and gas, known as 'dual fuel', which some suppliers offer at a discounted rate.
Review Supplier Perks and Rewards
Some energy suppliers partner with other companies to offer perks and rewards to their customers, such as money off your bill, discounts, or upgrades. These incentives can add value to your choice of supplier and should be considered when making your decision.
Switching Process
Switching energy providers is a straightforward process that can often be done online in just a few clicks. You have a 14-day cooling-off period to change your mind without incurring any cancellation charges. By switching energy providers, you can unlock significant savings on your energy bills and access the best smart tariffs and cheapest electricity rates.
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Install solar panels
Solar panels are an effective way to save money with Electric Ireland. By installing Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels, your home can generate clean, green, renewable energy from daylight, which is a free and natural resource. This not only reduces your reliance on traditional energy sources but also significantly reduces your energy bills.
Solar panels work by converting sunlight directly into heat. This solar energy can be used to generate electricity to power your home or business, or it can be used to heat water. In Ireland, despite the rainy reputation and cool climate, solar panels can still harness enough solar radiation to meet an average household's needs. Even on cloudy days, as long as there are 4-5 hours of daylight, solar PV panels will collect enough energy to power your home.
The amount of energy generated by solar panels depends on several factors, including panel size, orientation, and weather conditions. On average, a 3kW system will generate between 3kWh and 10kWh of energy per day, depending on the amount of sunlight. This equals around 2,600kWh per year, which is about 60% of an Irish household's typical annual electricity consumption. For a three-bedroom house, a 4kW solar system could potentially take up to 80% off your annual electricity bill and save you over €1,000 every year.
When installing solar panels, it is important to choose the right system and installer to ensure quality. Electric Ireland offers a range of Solar PV panels for homes, starting with a 20 panel 6kWp array. They also provide larger arrays for farms, which can be designed to suit specific requirements. Electric Ireland customers can avail of SEAI grants for installation and battery storage, helping to reduce the cost of transitioning to solar energy.
In addition to the financial savings, solar panels offer environmental benefits by reducing your carbon emissions and impact on the environment. With Ireland's temperate climate, solar panels are an ideal way to generate renewable energy and contribute to a more sustainable future. By installing solar panels, you can save money on your energy bills while also doing your part for the environment.
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Adjust your thermostat
Adjusting your thermostat is a simple yet effective way to save money on your energy bills. A large chunk of your energy bills is likely to be spent on heating and hot water, so tweaking your thermostat and conserving heat can make a big difference.
Firstly, consider the temperature you are setting on your thermostat. Electric Ireland recommends setting your thermostat to 20°C in living areas. Hallways and bedrooms should be cooler, ideally between 15-18°C. By lowering your room temperature by just one degree, you can reduce your heating bill by 10%.
You should also ensure that you are not heating your home when it is unnecessary. Set your heating and hot water on a schedule that fits your daily routine. For example, turn the heating off 30 minutes before you plan to go out, and turn it back on 30 minutes before you return home. This is a simple way to ensure you are not wasting energy by heating an empty home.
Consider investing in a smart heating system, which can be controlled remotely from your smartphone. This allows you to set the time and temperature according to your routine, and make changes when your plans change.
In addition to adjusting your thermostat, there are other ways to conserve heat in your home. Effective insulation can reduce heat loss and lower your energy bills. Attic insulation is a cost-effective way to prevent heat from escaping through the roof. Cavity wall insulation is another option to consider if your walls have a cavity or space between two rows of bricks or concrete blocks.
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Make your home more energy-efficient
Making your home more energy-efficient can lead to significant savings on your energy bills. Here are some ways to improve your home's energy efficiency:
Appliances and Lighting
Turn off appliances at the wall when they're not in use, instead of leaving them on standby. Remember to turn off the lights when you leave a room. When it comes to lighting, consider switching to LED bulbs, which use significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer.
Laundry
Wait until you have a full load before putting on a wash. Modern washing machines use less water and energy than older models, so consider upgrading if you have an older machine. If you're in the market for a new washing machine, front-loading machines use 40% less water and 30% less electricity than top-loading ones. Additionally, use liquid detergent and wash your clothes at 30 degrees Celsius whenever possible. If your machine has an eco-programme, use that to save even more energy.
Kitchen
Use a toaster oven or a microwave instead of a full oven whenever possible, especially when cooking or reheating small portions. Batch cook when using the hob or oven to make the most of the heat, and freeze any extra portions. Use a dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand, as modern dishwashers are more energy and water-efficient.
Heating and Insulation
A lot of energy is used for heating, so consider lowering your thermostat settings. The recommended temperature for living areas is 20°C, while hallways and bedrooms should be cooler, between 15-18°C. Lowering your room temperature by just one degree can reduce your heating bill by 10%. Set your heating and hot water on a schedule that fits your daily routine, and consider installing a smart heating system that you can control from your smartphone.
Additionally, invest in effective insulation for your home, especially in the attic, to prevent heat from escaping through the roof.
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Frequently asked questions
You can save up to 8.5% off your Electricity and Gas bill every year by making the following changes: 0.5% for registering for online billing, 5% by paying by direct debit, and 3% more if you have both electricity and gas with Electric Ireland. You can also save money by switching to a cheaper energy plan or a different energy provider.
You can reduce your energy usage by turning off appliances at the wall when you're not using them, adjusting your thermostat to 20°C in living areas and 15-18°C in hallways and bedrooms, and using a smart meter to track your electricity usage. You can also save money by washing your clothes efficiently, such as avoiding prewashing and washing at 30 degrees with liquid detergent.
You can make home upgrades such as installing solar panels, improving insulation, and using energy-efficient appliances to reduce your energy usage and save money on your Electric Ireland bills.
