Revealed: The best ways to cut your electricity bills as energy credits end

The government energy credits have to come to an end, leaving many hard-pressed householders facing high electricity bills in the coming months. 

Thankfully, for those struggling with bills, the major energy suppliers have all announced price cuts in recent months, which will soften the significant blow of the end of the energy credits. 

There are also steps you can take to reduce your costs somewhat. 

Surprisingly, many may not realise that a power shower is the most expensive item to run in your home. A ten-minute shower will cost around 56 cents, according to recent information from Energia. See further details on cost of appliances below. 

According to Darragh Cassidy of Bonkers.ie: "A good rule of thumb is: if it makes things hot, particularly in a short space of time, it costs a lot. Think kettles, hair dryers, tumble dryers and electric showers – they all have a ferocious appetite for electricity. An electric oven is also a big energy guzzler and can cost up to €1 an hour to run".

Here are a number of steps you can take to reduce costs. 

1 Turn down your thermostat

By lowering your room temperature by just one degree you can reduce the energy you use by 10% and save on your
heating bill, according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). They advise people to turn radiators down or off so you only heat the area you are using.

2 Reduce your shower time

Take a shower as a regular shower uses only 20% of the energy it takes to heat the water for a full bath. However, the SEAI points out that pumped electric showers are still one of the biggest energy users in the home. By reducing your shower time, you could save a lot of energy and water.

3. Switch suppliers

Most suppliers offer big discounts for an entire year to those who switch, according to Bonkers.ie

So switching to a new provider is a great way to cut down on your electricity costs.

You can compare tariffs and deals from all of Ireland’s energy suppliers on bonkers.ie in just a few clicks. They say  energy comparison tool, switching has never been easier!

4. Reduce the temperature for your dishwasher and washing machine

Use a lower temperature for your washing machine and dishwasher and use the eco-settings, the SEAI urges. They advise you to wait until you have a full load before turning them on.

5. Use your oven sparingly

The oven is a big energy user, so the SEAI urges to use it sparingly. Where possible use a microwave,
air fryer and toaster instead. Air fryers have become increasingly popular, and they are also more energy efficient than using a traditional oven. 

6. Avoid using the tumble dryer

With the start of 2024 being one of the wettest spells on record, it was difficult not to resort to using a tumble dryer to get much needed cloths dry. It might seem pretty obvious, but the SEAI advises people to dry clothes out of doors as much as possible. With an improved weather forecast, this may be possible in the coming months. 

You can read the full advice from the SEAI here