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Gas & Electricity Guides

Gas & Electricity bills and abbreviations can be confusing. That’s why we’ve put together some handy guides to help you make smart decisions and save money.

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What is the PSO Levy?

Gas & Electricity guide

What is the PSO Levy?

The PSO Levy, or Public Service Obligation Levy, is a government levy that is charged to all electricity customers in Ireland. The money collected from the PSO Levy is mainly used to subsidise and support renewable and indigenous energy generation in Ireland.
What is a BER?

Gas & Electricity guide

What is a BER?

BER (building energy rating) is a valuation that measures the energy efficiency of commercial and residential buildings in Ireland. The BER of a building is represented by a scale of A to G, where A1 is the most energy efficient rating and G is the least. A difference of just a few grades on a BER can have a huge impact on a home's heating bill.
What is the Low User Standing Charge?

Gas & Electricity guide

What is the Low User Standing Charge?

The Low User Standing Charge is an additional charge that some Electric Ireland customers pay when using an average of two units or less of electricity per day in a two month billing cycle. The charge currently stands at €5.25 per bi-monthly billing cycle.
What is a NightSaver Meter?

Gas & Electricity guide

What is a NightSaver Meter?

A NightSaver Meter records day time and night time electricity consumption separately, and allows customers to avail of reduced price electricity at night. If more than 25% of a household's electricity is used overnight, a customer will save money with a NightSaver Meter.
What is a Budget Plan (aka Equaliser or Level Pay)?

Gas & Electricity guide

What is a Budget Plan (aka Equaliser or Level Pay)?

A budget plan is a payment method offered by Irish energy suppliers, which allows customers to pay annual energy bills in 12 equal monthly instalments. Bord Gáis’ budget plan is known as ‘Level Pay’ and Electric Ireland’s is called ‘Equaliser’.
What is Carbon Tax?

Gas & Electricity guide

What is Carbon Tax?

Carbon Tax is a charge applied on carbon-based fuels such as coal, peat and natural gas. Introduced 1 May 2013, the Tax is intended to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and is currently charged at €20 per tonne of CO2 emitted. An average household pays Carbon Tax of €57.96 (incl VAT) on its annual natural gas bill.

Which appliances use the most electricity?

Gas & Electricity guide

Which appliances use the most electricity?

The average Irish household uses 4,200 kWhs of electricity per year, amounting to a bill of about €1,006 (based on Electric Ireland’s Standard 24 hours tariff, including taxes). It can be hard to tell how this consumption is spread across appliances and difficult to know how to make savings. A good rule of thumb is: if it makes things hot, it costs a lot.
What is a GPRN?

Gas & Electricity guide

What is a GPRN?

A Gas Point Reference Number (GPRN) is a unique 7-digit code assigned to every Gas Point on Ireland’s natural gas network. A Gas Point is the place at which gas is withdrawn from the national gas network, measured by a meter and supplied to an end user. GPRNs are located on all gas bills and must be quoted when changing gas supplier.

How do I read my energy bill?

Gas & Electricity guide

How do I read my energy bill?

Understanding all of the terms on your energy bill is important in order to know how to improve your energy efficiency and reduce your bills. Abbreviations such as kWh, E, GPRN and MPRN are explained in our guide to reading your energy bills.
What is a Smart Meter?

Gas & Electricity guide

What is a Smart Meter?

A smart meter is an electronic device used for reading gas and electricity consumption in real-time, thereby allowing customers to improve their energy efficiency and to reduce costs. Both energy suppliers and end users have live access to usage figures through smart meters, which will be introduced across Ireland between 2019 and 2024.
What is Prepay Electricity?

Gas & Electricity guide

What is Prepay Electricity?

Prepay electricity is a pay-as-you-go method of paying for electricity usage, designed to give customers more control over their electricity consumption and spending. With prepay electricity, customers can top-up electricity credit on a home meter and only pay for the electricity that they actually use.
What is the Free Electricity Allowance?

Gas & Electricity guide

What is the Free Electricity Allowance?

The Free Electricity Allowance is a €35 supplement paid by the Department of Social Protection to assist certain individuals with their electricity bill payments. All over 70s and individuals under 70 who meet certain criteria are eligible to receive the monthly fee, which is part of the Households Benefits Package.
What is a MPRN?

Gas & Electricity guide

What is a MPRN?

A Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) is a unique 11-digit number which indicates the exact location of a property’s connection to Ireland’s electricity network. Every connection and meter has its own MPRN, which is managed by ESB Networks. MPRNs are listed on all electricity bills and must be quoted when switching supplier.
What is a Large Residential User?

Gas & Electricity guide

What is a Large Residential User?

Customers that consume in excess of 73,000 kWh of gas per annum are classified as Large Residential Users and are charged differently than customers with usage below 73,000 kWh per annum. In addition to paying for standing charges and for gas consumed, Large Residential Users pay a Supply Point Capacity charge which is calculated by Gas Networks Ireland on an individual basis.

What is the national average energy consumption?

Gas & Electricity guide

What is the national average energy consumption?

The Irish national average electricity consumption is 4,200 kWh per annum. The national average gas consumption is 11,000 kWh per annum. These figures are calculated and monitored by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
What is a kilowatt-hour (kWh)?

Gas & Electricity guide

What is a kilowatt-hour (kWh)?

A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the unit of measurement used by gas and electricity suppliers. One kilowatt-hour is equivalent to 1000 watts of energy used for 1 hour. For example, a 100-watt lightbulb switched on for 10 hours uses one kWh of electricity.

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