What Is The Average Electricity Bill in Ireland?

By Cormac Breen

Content Manager

Cormac is Selectra.ie's energy expert along with being the chief content and editorial manager for the website. His aim is to help find the best deal for you and your home energy needs so that you save money on your annual bills. His knowledge and experience of the Irish energy market allows him to offer the best advice and insight into current prices, emerging trends and overall energy saving tips.

As of September 2025, the average electricity bill in Ireland is €1,817.12 for a 24hr urban standard meter, while the average gas bill is €1,571.04 on a standard meter. If you are paying above the average, you can save money by comparing and switching energy provider to find a cheaper deal. Our energy experts here at Selectra can help you find the best deal by calling 📞 (01) 913 1771.

What Is the Average Electricity Bill in Ireland?

The average electricity bill in Ireland is €1,817.12 for homes with a 24hr urban meter.

This works out to €151.42 for the average monthly electricity bill.

It's important to understand that average electricity bills can vary significantly based on factors like:

• Household size: Larger homes generally consume more electricity.
• Energy efficiency: Homes with better insulation and energy-efficient appliances tend to have lower bills.
• Usage patterns: How often and when you use electricity impacts your average bill.
• Supplier and tariff: Different energy providers offer varying rates.

We remind you that the quickest and most effective way to save money on bills is to compare electricity offers and switch electricity providers every 12 months.

This can usually save you anything from over €300-500 a year, which can help with the cost of living.

EABs for 24hr urban meters only. Other meter type bills may vary. Figures quoted are for illustrative purposes only and do not include cashback or any other discounts on offer.
Last updated, September 2025.

Breakdown of an Average Electricity Bill

An Irish electricity bill is more than just a charge for the electricity you've used. It's a combination of several charges and levies, each contributing to the total amount you pay.

Understanding these components can help you figure out why your bill is what it is:

• Unit Rate (c/kWh): It’s the price you pay for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity or gas you consume. This is the main figure that changes when you switch suppliers to a cheaper tariff.
• Standing Charge: This is a fixed daily or bi-monthly fee that covers the cost of your provider maintaining the network infrastructure, regardless of how much energy you use.
• PSO Levy (Electricity Only): The Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy is a government-mandated charge added to electricity bills. It's designed to support renewable energy generation and maintain a secure energy supply in Ireland.
• Carbon Tax (Natural Gas Only): This is a government tax on fossil fuels, applied to each unit of natural gas you consume. It's part of Ireland's strategy to encourage a shift towards cleaner energy and reduce carbon emissions.
• VAT (Value-Added Tax): VAT is a standard tax applied to the final cost of your energy bill. The current VAT rate on electricity is 9%.

What Is the Average Electricity Usage in Ireland?

The size of the home we live in is perhaps the most important factor to consider when estimating our average electricity usage.

Bigger homes mean more people, and more people equal more electricity use.

Below, you will find a table that breaks down how the size of our home can increase or decrease your yearly electricity costs compared to the average home.

Prices are based on Electric Ireland’s Urban 24hr tariff of 34.75c including VAT.

• ⚡ Factors That Influence Your Average Usage
• The size of your home.
• How energy efficient it is.
• How many people live with you.
• When the house is occupied.
• The type and frequency of appliance use.

Here are two examples to help you see how the average electricity bill figures apply to different households.

• Case Study A: The Single Apartment Dweller
  • Household Size: 1 person
  • Home: Small apartment
  • Energy Use: Low to medium electricity usage (around 3,000 kWh/year) and no gas.
  • Typical Bill: This user's annual electricity bill would likely be below the national average of €1,817.12. Their bills would be predictable and their energy costs would be less affected by winter spikes.
• Case Study B: The Family of Four
  • Household Size: 2 adults, 2 children
  • Home: 3-bedroom semi-detached house
  • Energy Use: High electricity (around 5,500 kWh/year) and high gas consumption (around 13,000 kWh/year) due to home heating, cooking, and hot water.
  • Typical Bill: This family's bills for both electricity and gas would be well above the national average. They would see significant seasonal variations, with much higher bills in winter compared to summer.

What Is the Average Gas Bill in Ireland?

The average annual gas bill in Ireland works out at €1,571.04 per year.

This works out to €130.92 for the average monthly gas bill.

Figures quoted are for illustrative purposes only and do not include cashback or any other discounts on offer.
Last updated, September 2025

What Is the Average Gas Usage in Ireland?

The CRU has placed the average gas consumption per household in Ireland at 11,000 kWh per annum.

Gas consumption is so much higher than electricity consumption due to the way that gas is consumed.

Almost 64.7% of the energy used in EU households is used for home heating.

As the main purpose of natural gas usage in Irish households is heating, double the energy is needed for heating than for other energy consumption purposes.

The Impact of Seasonality on the Average Electricity Bill

The average electricity bill is not static; it fluctuates significantly throughout the year due to seasonal changes.

• Winter: During the colder months, your energy bill will be at its highest. This is primarily because of increased heating usage. Natural gas consumption for heating can soar, and electricity usage also rises for lighting and running appliances more frequently as the days are shorter.
• Summer: In contrast, summer bills are typically much lower. With milder weather, you use less energy for heating. While you might use more electricity for fans or other cooling appliances on hot days, this is generally far less than the energy consumed for heating.

Understanding this seasonal pattern helps you budget and avoid bill shock.

For example, setting aside money from your lower summer bills can help cover the higher costs in winter.

How To Read Your Average Electricity Bill

Understanding your utility bill used by your energy supplier can better help you to work out whether your energy bill is above or below the average.

Below, you'll find an image highlighting the most important terms to understand on your home energy bill:

1. Account Number - This is the number that identifies your account with your supplier.
2. Billing Period - The period of time you are being charged for, normally bi-monthly.
3. MPRN/GPRN number - These are the unique numbers assigned to your electricity or gas connection
4. Meter configuration - This identifies the type of meter you have, smart, standard, daynight etc.
5. kWh consumption - This shows how many units of energy you consumed in this billing period.

It's also important to make note of the name of your tariff and how much your unit rate is so that you can compare similar tariffs with other energy suppliers.

How Can I Reduce My Average Electricity Bill?

Here are some simple, effective tips you can start using today to lower your average electricity bill:

Small Changes

• Switch Off Appliances: Don’t leave devices on standby. Even in standby mode, they consume a small amount of electricity. Turning them off at the wall can save you a noticeable amount over time.
• Wash Colder: Washing clothes at 30°C instead of higher temperatures can cut your washing machine's energy consumption by up to 40%.
• Draught-Proof Your Home: Simple actions like using draught excluders on doors and windows can prevent heat from escaping, making your home more energy-efficient and reducing the need for heating.

Long-Term Savings

• Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances: When an old appliance breaks down, replace it with one that has a high energy efficiency rating (A-rated or higher). While the initial cost may be higher, the long-term savings on your bills can be significant.
• Insulate Your Attic and Walls: Proper insulation is one of the most effective ways to save on heating costs. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offers grants that can help cover the cost of these upgrades.
• Install a Smart Thermostat: A smart thermostat allows you to control your heating remotely and program it to turn on and off based on your schedule. This prevents you from heating an empty house and can lead to substantial savings.

How Does Ireland's Average Electricity Bill Compare?

Given the energy crisis throughout Europe and the rest of the world, the price of electricity has continued to soar, and it's getting more and more costly to pay our energy bills.

The latest figures from Eurostat indicate that Ireland's electricity prices have increased by almost 43% since 2020 from €0.2616/kWh to €0.3736/kWh in 2024 making Ireland's electricity bills the second highest across the EU.

What About the Average Gas Bill in Ireland?

Again looking at Eurostat, the gas prices in Ireland are still relatively high despite forecasts of falling gas prices for 2024.

As of 2024, gas prices had risen from €0.0690/kWh in 2022 to €0.1371/kWh.

Compared to gas prices in other European countries, Irish customers are still paying some of the highest prices across the continent.

By Cormac Breen

Content Manager

Cormac is Selectra.ie's energy expert along with being the chief content and editorial manager for the website. His aim is to help find the best deal for you and your home energy needs so that you save money on your annual bills. His knowledge and experience of the Irish energy market allows him to offer the best advice and insight into current prices, emerging trends and overall energy saving tips.