💶 💶 Electric Ireland Price Increase

Fishdoodle

Another increase by Electric Ireland - from 1st November 2021 .... the last one was in August.

Electricity going up 9.3% ...that's 21.12c per KWh at the standard rate.

Gas Going up 7%

Interesting on their website how they show the new increases but don't show the prices with the 13.5% VAT added. -

Electricity: That amounts to 23.97 cent per KWh with the VAT

Gas: 6.30 cent " "

I just spoke to a sales rep (Elec. Irl) yesterday who assured me that there won't be in increase for a while since the prices went up recently. 😅 Today's a different story!!! I switched provider yesterday - but have cancelled it now.

Bord Gáis in their press statement following their increase announcement (effective from 24th October) said "Today we confirmed a unique guarantee to hold these prices until Spring 2022.” (24 September 2021) ...at least there's a bit of guarantee there.

Atlantic Dawn

Never knew country folk paid more for standing charge.

Fishdoodle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117963803#Comment_117963803

Yep! And if its on a low usage tariff in the country will be almost €307 annually incl VAT (on a 24hour meter)!

Just edited my OP - made an error calculating standing charge increase it's not a big jump though for gas about €8 I think.

Darc19

Electricity suppliers all over Europe are increasing prices.

Gas is at 13year highs.

In the UK over a dozen suppliers have gone bust.

The hope is it will drop substantially next year.

zell12

Should one submit an inflated meter reading to beat the 10% price increase? to cover the next few months, only.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117997184#Comment_117997184

That would be fraud. And unless your meter is completely inaccessible and you can always ensure there is nobody there to let a reader in, likely to be futile anyway.

Dempo1

Interesting point about standing charge being more expensive for rural customers, how is this justified . Its not something I was aware of, have been with EI for 20 years, low user and I'm sickened at bi monthly biĺls when I see I pay more in levies and standing charges than I do for electricity, albeit this latest increase will change that.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117998537#Comment_117998537

It has always been that way. Rural pays more as it costs more to supply customers further from the networks and meter reading in more costly. It may level out somewhat with smart meters removing meter reading costs.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117998696#Comment_117998696

Thanks Jim, it's something I was never aware of, despite being a blow in, to rural Ireland 20 years ago. Such are my bills being quite small, I never took much notice to be honest, but certainly will be watching with price increases. Actually got the smart meter installed (one of the first) almost 2 years ago, it only went live from a billing point of view a few months ago. Plagued by EI to change to smart tariffs, not a chance as unit rates very high on the smart plans.

zell12

How did you not know rural services were more expensive?!!

I also am a low user, and try the company with the lowest standing charge, in this case EI and their Supersaver tariff ~€130pa

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117998537#Comment_117998537

It costs vastly more to supply power to rural customers. The increased standing charge reflects this but doesn't fully cover the costs.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117999154#Comment_117999154

Why would I, purchased House 20 years ago, bills generally low and rarely fluctuated, I worked abroad on occasions, weeks, months at a time etc, my electric bill would not be part of normal conversation to be honest and like thousands of other people, only now starting to query due to price and cost of living increases generally. Switching was and perhaps still not an option for low usage customers albeit I did solely focus on unit charges, assuming standing charges the same across the board as it were, indeed the tariff you linked to is quoting unit prices more expensive than I'm paying now and I believe for new customers, I am an existing one.

But now I understand the difference in Rural and Urban standanding charges, I'll certainly look at this aspect of bill and check options albeit my timing not great admitidly.

zell12

If you are a low user, then the lower standing charge cancels out the higher unit prices. You should switch every year! Take advantage of the cashback offers every year. That Supersaver tariff is for existing EI customers. Input your details into bonkers.ie, tick Yes to include cashback, No for tariffs available for sign-up.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117999775#Comment_117999775

Excellent, I understood it was new customers, appreciate that, ever penny counts 👍😉

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117999775#Comment_117999775

Quick final question if I may and thank you for clarifying I'm able to avail of the Supersaver tariff, fantastic saving of around €130 pa.

I've seen some threads were people have been caught when switching, particular Fixed price deals, I'll chase this up with Bonkers.ie on Monday but would you know if this Supersaver 12 month deal would include a fixed price unit tariff.

Thanks again 😁

Fishdoodle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117999859#Comment_117999859

I don’t think you’ll find any decent fixed price deals -it’s all pretty much variable now in Ireland.

Smart meter tarrifs can work out cheaper … or little difference.

If you’re using bonkers -untick ‘deals available for signup’ and you’ll also get the prices for ALL companies -(ones you can sign up to via their own website) such as Bord Gais ‘best electricity only offer’.

🙂

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118000102#Comment_118000102

Morning, thanks for that, yes @zell12 just mentioned the lack of fixed rates available now and I guess understandable in current market.

But definitely worth looking at a saving on the standard charge.

Interesting Bonkers.ie factoring in price increase with EI in November so definitely considering the Supersaver tariff.

I think I'll have to get onto Joe Duffy about this Rural Discrimination 😂😂

Only kidding, thanks again

Fishdoodle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118000122#Comment_118000122

Fáilte romhat 🙂👍

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118000236#Comment_118000236

And like that user name by the way 😏

I signed up to a new 12 month contract with them 20 days before this increase.

Fishdoodle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118005187#Comment_118005187

I signed up to a conteact before an increase with one company - they were v. decent and let me leave without penalty :-) Sometimes, leaving mid-contract can STILL save money (minus the €50 early termination fee) . Main rule of thumb is shopping around every year

zell12

yeah, but were you within the 14-day cooling off period?

Fishdoodle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118035565#Comment_118035565

No, was about 6/7 weeks into a contract 🙂

zell12

well done!

Fishdoodle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118037780#Comment_118037780

It can depend who you talk to … some ‘customer care’ people are like robots 😅

How come they get to change the costs but can enforce you to still be in contract, now that is a rip

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118059315#Comment_118059315

Its part of the contract that you signed up to.

Yes but considering that they all put such a provision in place, that they can change the unit rate, one does not have a choice.

They can keep jacking up the price on people all through the year and people are stuck in a contract, it gives massive control to one party in the contract.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118060006#Comment_118060006

They are all the same. Your deal is a discount on the base rate and that holds. If you don't lime the terms don't sign up for the deal in the first place.