Cheapest electricity supplier

[January25]

A relation will shortly be moving into rural apt with smart meter. ESB networks are unable to say if meter is activated. So the query is what company has the cheapest electricity?
With Bonkers you have to compare to the old bill. But this guy is just starting out. So nothing to compare ? Would like cheaper evening rates as works days but if non smart rates are better then can stay with old billing system. There is no day/ night option on the meter as there is gas in the apt.
Any ideas ?

 

[Leo]

The cheapest rates are the cheapest rates. Bonkers and the other comparison sites allow you to compare overall costs to a national average and that's a pretty good starting point. A number of providers are now offering 24hr rates on 'smart' plans that might suit heavy daytime users, but if they're away at work most of the time one of the time of day rates will most likely be best.

Everyone's experience will be different. For me, the best non-smart rate worked out around 7% cheaper than the best 24hr rate, and I work from home 80% of the time.

 

[gaelic_oc]

Kilowatt.ie lets you compare based on estimated usage, no need to have an old bill.

 

[ClubMan]

ESB networks are unable to say if meter is activated.

The MCC code on the bill will clarify.
If it's MCC01 (24 hour tariff) or MCC02 ("Nightsaver" day/night tariff) then it hasn't been activated for smart tariffs (MCC12 or MCC16).

Whatever MCC code it's on it should be possible to access and download smart meter data via ESB Networks:

Smart Meter Usage | Electricity Usage Monitor | ESB Networks

View your smart meter usage with ESB Networks, access daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly electricity data, and manage your energy efficiently online.

www.esbnetworks.ie

And then upload it to Kilowatt.ie or Energypal.ie to see what plans might be suitable for prior usage patterns.
https://kilowatt.ie

EnergyPal.ie

Use smart meter data, visualise your energy usage. Take control of your energy costs with EnergyPal.ie! Compare and find the best energy plans based on smart meter data - all for free. Start saving money and optimizing your energy consumption today

energypal.ie

Kilowatt.ie doesn't seem to be working for me right now.
These two sites are much better than Bonkers and Switcher lately in my experience.

In your friend's case where he may not have access to historical smart meter data he'll just have to make an estimate of his usage patterns and amounts when shopping for the most suitable/economical plan for his needs.

 

[ClubMan]

There is no day/ night option on the meter as there is gas in the apt.

This doesn't make sense. Having gas doesn't preclude the possibility of a day/night electricity meter or a smart meter in MCC02 mode. Gas and electricity meters are complete separate entities.

 

[Sue Ellen]

With gas heating, being out during the day, and by the sounds of things single person, the usage will probably be small. In light of that if it were me I would not get too het up about which supplier at moment. After a year when record is there to judge the market I would be inclined to do download from https://www.energypal.ie/ and look around carefully then.

 

[Leo]

Kilowatt.ie lets you compare based on estimated usage, no need to have an old bill.

All approved comparison sites must allow this, and they must use the typical usage figured supplied by the regulator.

 

[Shelby219]

Electricity contract finishes this week but looking at the comparison sites they all or most seem to offer a %discount on a variable rate, so how can you really make a proper decision if the rate could change a month after you sign up? Or am I missing something?

 

[ClubMan]

Some providers offer fixed rate tariffs but then you're at risk of rates falling and being stuck with a higher unit rate than subsequently available elsewhere. You pays your money and takes your chances...

 

[Shelby219]

So would you say that all their variable rates are near enough the same?

 

[ClubMan]

No. There is a wide variety of unit rates/tariffs, discounts and standing charges on offer. You'd need to check what suits your specific usage patterns best - especially if you are considering a smart plan - using the likes of the following sites and your smart meter data if available:

EnergyPal.ie

Use smart meter data, visualise your energy usage. Take control of your energy costs with EnergyPal.ie! Compare and find the best energy plans based on smart meter data - all for free. Start saving money and optimizing your energy consumption today

www.energypal.ie

Kilowatt.ie | Electricity Price Comparison Tailored for You

Save more on electricity with accurate price comparison. Customise your results with real data from your smart meter and learn how much solar could save you.

www.kilowatt.ie

Irish comparison site. Lower your bills in minutes.

Compare Gas and Electricity, Broadband, Insurance, and Banking. Switch all your essential bills every year on bonkers.ie to save thousands.

www.bonkers.ie

Compare Ireland's Best Energy, Broadband, Mortgage & SIM Deals

Save up to €480 on your energy bills and get the best broadband, mortgage & mobile deals in Ireland with Switcher.ie. Compare gas & electricity prices today.

www.switcher.ie

 

[odyssey06]

There's very few fixed rate tariffs available. Very much the exception. Flogas promoted fixed rate plans in previous years and I went with them for that reason but I dont see any available currently.

 

[Persia]

Flogas promoted fixed rate plans in previous years and I went with them for that reason but I dont see any available currently.

Similar, went with a variable plan and no sooner did I re-up than they put the cost up by 7% from Aug 25.

Go through this song and dance every year for both gas and electricity and cannot for life of me understand why others don't do the same.

They sit on the sidelines moaning and cribbing about the prices, don't know why they just don't shop around

 

[lff12]

All approved comparison sites must allow this, and they must use the typical usage figured supplied by the regulator.

That's right. Most will offer some kind of "typical" household which will usually be based on a typical family home rather than a small apartment, so look at the prices for day and night, and how much the standard charge is.
When I lived in a 1 bed apartment I typically used around 2400-2600 units per year which is lower than the median which is 3300 units.

 

[Sue Ellen]

When I lived in a 1 bed apartment I typically used around 2400-2600 units per year which is lower than the median which is 3300 units.

All the comparison websites quote the CRU 4,200 kWh as being the average Irish household usage.

 

[Wandering_Dazed]

, and how much the standard charge is.

This is a key aspect IMHO, the difference in Standing Charges aside from unit rates is significant.

Also, just to call out that if someone ends up on a rate that doesn't suit you... the break fee in general is ~€50.

 

[ClubMan]

Discount percentages and EABs (Estimated Annual Bills) are meaningless. You have to look at actual unit rates and standing charges and usage patterns in order to get the best deal for your specific needs. Ideally using your actual smart meter data and sites like www.energypal.ie and www.kilowatt.ie.