What do you want to compare?
Electricity, gas or both
The CompareElectricity Index
We're building Ireland's real electricity average
Everyone quotes ESB's 4,200kWh “average” — a figure that suits a modest, gas-heated home and understates a modern all-electric house. So we're compiling the real number from people's actual usage, anonymously.
Run a comparison and your usage joins the national picture — anonymously. Upload your ESB half-hourly export and it counts as gold-standard metered data.
Add your usageAnonymous and aggregate only — no names, no addresses, no account numbers.
How it works
Three steps to your cheapest tariff
Enter your usage
Pick your home type, or enter the annual kWh from your ESB bill. Don't lean on the '4,200 kWh average' — modern homes with heat pumps or EVs use far more.
We calculate to the cent
Real unit rates and standing charges — not fictional averages. Your true annual cost, calculated precisely from your actual figure.
Switch with confidence
Click straight through to your new supplier's website. No middlemen, no sign-up required. Know exactly what you'll pay.
The problem
Why existing comparison sites mislead you
When a supplier announces it's the “cheapest”, the honest question is: cheapest measured how? At what annual usage? On which tariff? For a new customer or an existing one? Change any one of those and the ranking changes — which is precisely why the headline is worth so little.
Sites like Bonkers.ie and Switcher.ie lead with headlines like “Save 27% with Energia”. But that percentage is calculated using a fictional “average” consumption figure — often the supplier-friendly 4,200 kWh. If your usage differs, your saving will be completely different.
Worse, NightSaver and EV tariffs are frequently shown as “cheapest” even for households that never use electricity at night. These tariffs have higher day rates than standard tariffs — if you don't shift usage to night hours, you'll pay more, not less.
NightSaver is worth it if you run dishwashers, washing machines, or charge an EV overnight (11pm–8am). If your household is mostly active during the day, stick to a standard tariff.
EV tariffs can offer extraordinary savings on car charging — as low as 10.85c/kWh overnight vs 40c+ during the day. But they require a smart meter and only make sense if your EV is charged nightly.
This tool shows real unit rates, real standing charges, and calculates your actual annual cost using your actual usage. No guesswork. No inflated percentages.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my annual kWh usage?
Your annual kWh usage is printed on every ESB bill under 'Estimated Annual Consumption' or 'Annual Usage'. ESB quotes a 4,200 kWh 'average', but that suits a modest gas-heated home — heat-pump and EV households often use 6,000–9,000+, so start from your own bill rather than the average.
Is a NightSaver tariff worth it?
A NightSaver tariff saves money if you use a significant portion of your electricity between 11pm and 8am — typically by running dishwashers, washing machines, or charging an EV overnight. The day rate on NightSaver is usually higher than standard, so it only saves money if you genuinely shift usage to night hours.
What is an EV tariff?
An EV (Electric Vehicle) tariff offers a very cheap overnight rate specifically for charging electric cars. They typically have the cheapest night rates available but require a smart meter or EV charger installation.
Why don't comparison sites show real savings?
Most Irish comparison sites calculate savings using fictional 'average' consumption figures set by suppliers, not your actual usage. This can make expensive tariffs appear cheaper than they are. CompareElectricity.ie uses your real kWh figure to calculate your actual annual cost.