Did you get your electricity bill yet? Was there a hike in the bill?

Is there any energy suppliers that will fix their prices for a year that are worth switching to? I normally switch every year but since switching last year and getting all the increases in rates, what's the point?

If you're with electric ireland for 30 years I can 100% guarantee you, you're paying way over the odds for your electricity. If you're so sure you're not please post your Electric Ireland bill here and we can all see the unit rate you're paying!

Mine was around €300, I blame the missus for boiling a full kettle of water everytime just to make a cup of tea

Because if you stick with the same company you get screwed. I was with Bord Gais last year and was on unit rate of 14.76c a unit until 28th December. At that point my 'new' customer rate changed to their standard unit rate of 23.48c a unit (so roughly 60% higher). I rang bord gais and they said they couldn't offer me a better rate now as I was no longer a 'new' customer and that they almost lose money at the 'loyalty' rate.

I've now moved to Electric Ireland for a rate of 17.74c a unit. I can pretty much guarantee that in one years time they will move me to a rate around 24c (assuming wholesale prices stay the same) and once again I won't be given any choice but to move again.

Further to that, a few months ago a friend of mine started to realise his electric bills were something he needed to look at. Much like you he hasn't moved companies in many years and was with Electric ireland as a legacy customer. His rate was something around 23c a unit (I can't remember precisely) and he was horrified when I told him I was paying 14.76c for the same service.

But, I'll say again, if you are absolutely convinced you are doing better than everyone else who actually works at getting the best rates whilst you do nothing, please just post your bill showing the unit rate, then there are no arguments and I will happily apologize for doubting you. Somehow I don't think that will happen though ;)

Sounds like you're both making the best of the switching and fair play to you on that.

And, I'm happy the way I am.

Have fun.

Am I reading right that providers can offer headline rates today for example to get new subscribers...then in a month or three months' time, just increase the rates by writing to each customer. Effectively charging what the previous incumbent was?

Smells like BAM construction type stuff with the children's hospital. Quote low, then increase charges during the contract.

Shouldn't the regulator build in rules that mid term contract changes don't simply release the customer from the agreement, but rather carry % compensation to the consumer for lost savings on the original contract.

It's a tactic very common with mobile providers and internet providers. It releases you from contract usually ion those cases.

the government are responsible for half the bill

Its a conspiracy in some way. You see the economy depends on people spending their regular large spends (food,utilities, insurances & other bits of paper). But now there is a big effort on to "decarbonise" so basically they don't want you burning 1000+ litres of oil every year but they still want the €1000-2000 to leave your account and be pumped around in the economy every year. So now we are seeing a lot of shuffling behind the scenes where they use the PSO levy and various price increases in order to swoop in and grab the potential savings to be had from switching from oil to heat pump before they're even realised.

The same will happen with the electric cars. Early adopters will be going around saying "look how much I'm saving" and the folk who jump on the bandwagon later on are going to be fleeced with "Electronic road pricing" (a form of virtual heavily taxed petrol for electric cars)

And again! I posted all that on the previous page. Page 2, post numbers 43 and 47.

When there was a rumbling of this a few months ago, I went looking and got a better deal. I have gotten a deal that will see our bills be about 70 euros a year less it is worth looking around for a deal.

Our bi monthly bill there on 25th Jan was €229 for 2 adults and 2 kids, the bill before that was €189 with Electric Ireland.

My husband is always on at me to switch providers, though I've been procrastinating about doing it but reading this thread has given me the kick in the arse to do it and I've saved us €100 a year with SSE Electricity. Only works out at about €16 less per bill but it's better in my pocket I guess.

Nope.

Nowhere to store it 🙃

Electricity has gone up all over the world.

Anyone paying more than 20c a unit needs to switch supplier. It literally takes 2 minutes.