On average, one pays €1729 annually for energy bills! Does this make you nervous? You are not the only person dealing with this. Energy bills can prove a real pressure on the household budget. It hampers the ability to save enough for priority life goals like tax payments, mortgage payments, rent and other things. Thus, the blog discusses the best ways to cut your energy bills without investing more upfront.
What is the biggest cause of high energy bills in 2026?
The biggest cause of high electricity bills in Ireland is the significantly high cost of wholesale natural gas. It is the main fuel for electricity production. Retail prices increased by 70-80% compared to 2022 prices.
How to get free electricity at night in Ireland?
In Ireland, you can get free electricity at night by switching to a Smart Meter Plan, such as the Electric Ireland Smart Weekend Plan. It offers free electricity on Saturday or Sunday from 8 pm to 11 pm. Alternatively, you can also try the Smart Night Boost plan, which is affordable on your budget. You may get free electricity from 2 am to 4 am on that plan.
Which appliances use the most energy?
Appliances that consume the most energy are the tumble dryer, washing machine, refrigerator, and electric heaters. It is because these devices produce more heat or run for long periods.
6 strategies to save money on energy bills in Ireland
If you want to save money on energy bills, the following tips may help:
1) Use cold water for washing clothes
Your washing machine uses 0.3 kWh to 2.0 kWh of electricity per cycle. This means 80-90% of the energy is used to heat the water. So, go for a 30-degree wash instead of a 50-degree wash for your dishes. Also, use the washing machine only when you have loads of clothes to wash. Avoid using it every day for basic washing needs. Switch to a smart washing machine that tells you when it is right to wash clothes.
2) Make environment-friendly changes
Making your home more energy-efficient helps you reduce energy consumption and your bills. Conserving water, minimising waste and prioritising sustainable living help you create an eco-friendly environment. Also, you can make some changes in your home to save electricity and money. Here are some of the best eco-friendly modifications to consider:
- Install double or triple-glazed windows
- Consider a loft conversion and insulate it
- Replace gas-based boilers with ground source heat pumps
- You can use thermostats for smart heating controls, which reduces the energy consumption by 35%
- Lowering your thermostat just by 1 degree Celsius can help you save energy and reduce costs.
In all of these, a loft conversion may prove a budget-savvy and environmentally friendly approach. However, loft conversion costs €1000-€6000 per square meter. It means you would need to save enough to start counting energy savings. Don’t worry, check green loans in the Ireland marketplace. You may get €5000-€75000 for green home upgrades, depending on the affordability and loan needs.
3) Buy more energy-friendly kitchen appliances
How often do you check energy ratings on the appliances that you purchase? Only a few individuals are aware of the star rating implications. The higher the stars, the more the savings. Thus, determine the right company according to the reviews and your needs.
Always prioritise checking how much money or energy you can save on that device. It is especially important for kitchen appliances like dishwashers, microwaves, and kettles.
| Appliance | Basic Appliance (kWh/year) | Energy-Efficient (kWh/year) | Difference (kWh/year) | Avg Cost Saving €/year* |
| Fridge Freezer | 218 (E-rated) | 113 (A-rated) | 105 kWh | €36.5 |
| Dishwasher | 300 | 210 | 90 kWh | €31 |
| Washing Machine | 220 | 150 | 70 kWh | €24 |
| Electric Oven | 500 | 400 | 100 kWh | €35 |
| Kettle (daily use) | 165 | 130 | 35 kWh | €12 |
| Total savings | €138.5 |
So, you can see that you can save €139.50 every year by just making smart appliance choices.
4) Use timer plugs in your home
Sometimes, you end up paying a higher bill just because you forgot to switch off the light while moving to the office or a late-night party. It may become a habit, but you regret doing so. It may take time to change your habit. However, you don’t need to pay extra on energy bills for that. Switch to Timer plugs and install them at every important lighting corner of your home.
Apart from keeping your home well-lit even when you are away, it helps you save money. It is also good from a security aspect. However, the costs may rise if you have an outhouse too.
Check green energy loans to bridge the cost of installing timer plugs in your home. It helps you cover the home and outhouse without any difficulties. You can repay the dues in easy instalments later.
5) Replace existing bulbs with LEDs
An LED bulb costs just €7 to 12.50 per year. Therefore, it may help you save 80%-90% of energy compared to a standard bulb. Moreover, it lasts longer than the average lamp. Replacing the bulb may help you save €6 per year on electricity. It means if you replace 10 bulbs, you can easily save €60/year! That’s incredibly huge. The savings depend on how many light bulbs you want to replace.
Always turn off lights when not around. For example, if you are leaving your room for dinner, turn off your room’s light. It is a misconception among Irish households that turning on and off switches leads to high energy consumption and bills. Nothing like that happens. Also, check for the other room lights too, if no one is sitting there.
6) Use the microwave smartly
A standard electric oven may consume 2kW – 2.4kW/h. It may make you pay €0.50-€0.80 per day. Here are some tips that may help you use a microwave smartly:
- Use the time to help you know if the oven reaches the high temperature.
- Avoid opening oven doors often, as you may lose 20% of heat every time you do so.
- Use the built-up heat to cook the nearly finished food. It prevents you from reheating it.
- Use the microwave for small meals instead of the oven.
- You can use air fryers for small foods like fries instead of a microwave.
Bottom line
Thus, these are some tips that may help you save money on energy bills in Ireland. Install a smart meter to save electricity at specific night hours or on weekends. Check out greenhouse upgrades and analyse the most important ones. It may help increase your house value and save you money. Use kitchen appliances like microwaves, dishwashers, and ovens wisely.
