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Electricity & gas · Ireland
Checked 2026-09-27

🔄 How do I switch electricity or gas supplier in Ireland?

The short answer

Your supply does not stop when you switch: the cables, pipes and meter stay the same. Only the company that sends the bill changes.

📜 The rules in Ireland

Switching supplier

Contact your chosen supplier (or use an accredited comparison site) with your MPRN or GPRN and a meter reading; the switch runs through ESB Networks after the cooling-off period. Free at contract end; breaking a fixed-term contract early may cost a fee.

Official source: cru.ie · Checked 2026-09-27

The market

You can choose your electricity and gas supplier, and switching is free. ESB Networks runs the electricity network and Gas Networks Ireland the gas network; they handle meters, faults and outages whoever your supplier is.

Official source: cru.ie · Checked 2026-09-27

Cooling-off period

For contracts signed at your door, by phone or online you have 30 days to cancel under the Consumer Rights Act 2022; for contracts signed on the supplier's premises it is 14 days.

Official source: cru.ie · Checked 2026-09-27

🪜 Step by step

  1. Get your details readyTake your latest bill: meter point number, yearly use, and the end date and notice period of your contract.
  2. Compare offersUse the price comparison below and look at the total yearly cost, not only the price per kWh. Check how long the price is fixed.
  3. Sign with the new supplierIn most countries the new supplier arranges the switch, including notice to the old one. Keep the confirmation.
  4. Check the final billRead your meter on the switch date and compare it with the old supplier’s final bill. Any credit must be paid back.

📇 Who to contact

CRU-accredited price comparison websites: Bonkers.ie, Switcher.ie, PowerToSwitch.ie, EnergySwitch.ie not run by the stateCompare electricity and gas offersBefore you switch, or when your price goes up🔗 www.cru.ie/consumer-information/switch-supplier/price-comparison-websites
Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules📞 1800 404 404🔗 www.cru.ie
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)Independent advice for consumersFor advice, template letters and a second opinion🔗 www.ccpc.ie

❓ Questions

Will I be without power when I switch?

No. The physical supply continues; only the contract changes.

Can my old supplier charge an exit fee?

That depends on your contract and on the rules in Ireland shown on this page. Fees usually only apply to fixed-term, fixed-price contracts.

Can I cancel a new contract?

Contracts made at the door, by phone or online usually have a cooling-off period. The rules for Ireland are on this page.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-27

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Also useful

📈Price increase→🧾Wrong or high bill→💸Can’t pay the bill→🏚️Supplier went bust→📣Complaint about a supplier→

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