Dual Fuel Electricity and Gas Plans in Ireland
Whether one supplier for both fuels is cheaper than separate plans, with a worked example.
Read guideCompare Gas Prices and Plans in Ireland
Compare gas prices and suppliers in Ireland by looking beyond the headline discount. Understand unit rates, standing charges, contract terms and estimated annual cost before choosing a cheap gas plan or switching supplier.
Independent information, not a live price comparison
Understand what to check before comparing suppliers
Gas
How to Find Cheap Gas Plans in Ireland
Most Irish homes on the natural gas network use it for central heating and hot water, and many also cook with it. That makes gas one of the largest household bills, and one that is heavily concentrated in the colder months. The cheapest gas plan for one household is not automatically the cheapest for another, because the right answer depends on how much gas you actually use over a full year. To find a genuinely cheap gas plan, work through these steps in order.
- Find your annual gas usage in kWh. It is the figure every comparison depends on. Your bills, annual statement or online account will show it.
- Note your current unit rate and standing charge. These tell you what you are paying now, so you can judge whether a new offer is actually better.
- Compare gas suppliers on estimated annual cost. Not on the headline discount or the lowest advertised unit rate alone.
- Read the terms behind the price. Contract length, how long any discount lasts, exit fees and any payment conditions attached to the price.
- Decide between gas only and dual fuel. Check both routes rather than assuming a bundle is cheaper.
This page explains each of those steps for Irish households, what a GPRN is, what happens when you switch gas supplier, and when to contact Gas Networks Ireland rather than your supplier. Upgrader.ie does not show live gas prices or name a cheapest supplier; the aim is to help you compare gas prices in Ireland on the figures that actually decide your bill.
If you smell gas
Call Gas Networks Ireland’s 24-hour emergency line immediately on 1800 20 50 50, no matter who your gas supplier is. Do not use a phone in the immediate area of the suspected leak; call from outside or a neighbour’s property. If you cannot get through, call 999 or 112. Gas Networks Ireland: What to do if you smell gas (opens in a new tab)
Your bill
How a domestic natural gas bill works in Ireland
Your gas meter records the volume of gas that passes through it, in cubic metres. Your bill, however, charges you for energy, in kilowatt hours (kWh). To get from one to the other, the volume is multiplied by a conversion factor that reflects the energy content (calorific value) of the gas and local conditions such as temperature and pressure. Gas Networks Ireland calculates this factor and passes it to suppliers, and it can vary slightly from one billing period to the next. That is why two bills covering similar meter readings can show slightly different kWh figures.
Once your usage is in kWh, a typical domestic gas bill is built from the following parts.
- Unit rate. The price charged for each kWh of gas you use, shown in cents per kWh. This is the part that grows with your usage, and the part most heavily affected by a cold winter.
- Standing charge. A fixed charge for having a gas supply, usually shown as a daily rate and charged whether or not you use any gas during the period.
- Carbon tax. A tax charged per kWh on natural gas. It is set by the government rather than by your supplier, so it is not something one supplier can undercut another on.
- VAT. Added to the total, at the rate that applies to domestic energy at the time.
- Discounts and credits. Any supplier discount, and any credit such as a Household Benefits Package payment, reduce the amount due. Check exactly which charges a discount is applied to.
Gas bills are simpler than electricity bills in one useful way
Domestic gas is charged at a single unit rate, without the day, night and peak bands found on some electricity tariffs, and the PSO levy that appears on electricity bills does not apply to gas. In practice, almost all of the difference between two gas plans comes down to the unit rate, the standing charge, the discount and the contract terms.
Gas prices
Gas unit rates and standing charges
Unit rates in cents per kWh
The unit rate is the headline figure when people talk about gas prices in Ireland, and it does most of the work on a heating household's bill. A difference of a fraction of a cent per kWh looks trivial on its own, but it applies to every kWh you use across the year. For a household that heats its home and water with gas, that can add up to a noticeable sum. When comparing unit rates, check whether the figure shown includes or excludes VAT, and whether it is the rate before or after any discount, so you are comparing like with like.
Standing charges
The standing charge does not change with your usage. That means it matters most to households that use relatively little gas. If you only cook with gas, or you live in a small, well insulated home, the standing charge can make up a large share of your annual bill, and a plan with a slightly higher unit rate but a lower standing charge may well work out cheaper for you. For a large, gas heated family home the balance tips the other way, and the unit rate matters more.
This is the main reason one household's cheapest gas supplier is not necessarily another's: the same two plans can rank differently depending on how much gas each home uses.
Offers and discounts
Discounts, introductory offers and contract terms
Gas suppliers commonly advertise a percentage discount, a welcome credit or a reduced introductory rate for new customers. These offers are real, but they are rarely the whole story. Before relying on one, find out:
- What the discount applies to. A discount is often applied to the unit rate only, not the standing charge, so the reduction to your total bill is smaller than the headline percentage.
- How long it lasts. Many offers apply for the first year or the length of the contract. Ask what rate you move to afterwards.
- What conditions are attached. Some discounts depend on paying by direct debit, choosing paperless billing or taking a second fuel from the same supplier.
- How a credit is paid. A one off welcome credit is usually applied to your account, which helps in the first year but does nothing for the second.
When an introductory discount ends
Households that stay with the same supplier for several years without reviewing their plan often end up on the supplier's standard rates once the original discount runs out. If you cannot remember when you last changed plan, it is worth checking your current rates against what is available now.
Estimated annual cost
Gas Bill Calculator
The estimated annual cost is the single figure that brings the unit rate, standing charge and discount together. It is the fairest way to compare gas suppliers, because it shows what a plan would actually cost over a year rather than how attractive one part of it looks. In simple terms:
- Usage cost. Your annual usage in kWh multiplied by the unit rate.
- Plus the standing charge. The daily standing charge multiplied by 365.
- Less any discount. Applied only to the charges it actually covers, and only for as long as it lasts.
- Plus carbon tax and VAT. These apply whichever supplier you choose.
Why your own annual gas consumption matters
Suppliers' published estimated annual bills are usually based on a standard average household's usage. That is useful for a like for like comparison between suppliers, but your own home may use far more or far less gas than the average. A one bedroom apartment that only cooks with gas and a detached house heated by a gas boiler will see very different annual costs on the same plan, and may be suited to different plans altogether.
To find your annual gas consumption, look for an annual statement or the usage history in your supplier's online account, or add up the kWh shown on your bills for the last twelve months. Make sure the figure covers a full year, including a winter, and check whether any bills in that period were based on estimated rather than actual readings. If you have recently moved, or made a big change such as replacing your boiler or insulating your home, last year's figure may no longer reflect how much you will use, so treat it as a starting point rather than a precise forecast.
Use the calculator below to apply the usage cost, standing charge and discount steps to your own figures, and optionally compare a second gas plan. You enter every rate yourself. It does not show live gas prices, compare suppliers or identify the cheapest plan.
How the estimate is calculated
The calculator follows the usage cost, standing charge and discount steps above. It takes a per day standing charge as 365 days, assumes any discount lasts for the first 12 months, and counts any welcome credit in the first 12 months only. The figure for the years after that uses the full rates.
Each charge is rounded to the nearest cent, and totals are the sum of the rounded charges, so the breakdown always adds up. Monthly figures are the annual estimate divided by 12; actual bills vary through the year. Differences are worked out from the rounded figures shown.
What is not included
- Carbon tax, which is charged separately on gas bills.
- VAT, if the rates you enter exclude it.
- Exit fees.
- Price changes during the year.
- Discounts that last less than 12 months.
- Government or Household Benefits Package credits.
- Any change in your usage.
Want to talk through your figures? A member of the comparison team can call you about the gas plans available through its service.
Request a callback
Seasonal use
How seasonal heating use affects your gas bill
For most gas heated homes in Ireland, the bulk of the year's gas is used between roughly October and April. Summer bills, when gas is only heating water and perhaps cooking, can be a fraction of the size of a midwinter bill. That seasonal swing has some practical consequences when you compare plans or switch supplier.
- One bill is not a fair sample. Comparing plans using a single summer or winter bill will under or overstate your annual usage. Always use twelve months.
- Timing a fixed price. A fixed unit rate protects you most when it covers the winter months, since that is when most of your gas is used.
- Estimated readings add up in winter. If an estimate is well below your real winter use, a large catch up bill can follow. Submitting your own meter readings keeps bills accurate.
- Spreading the cost. Some suppliers offer budget or equal payment plans that spread the annual cost over the year. These make winter bills easier to manage, but they do not change the underlying price, so compare the plan's rates first.
If your gas usage is high because heat escapes from your home, reducing demand can do more for your annual bill than any tariff. Our Insulation guide covers where heat is usually lost and what upgrades are available.
Comparing plans
Fixed or variable gas plans, exit fees and payment conditions
Fixed versus variable gas plans
A fixed price gas plan holds your unit rate, and usually your standing charge, for a set period. It gives you certainty over the winter months, but if wholesale gas prices fall during that period you may not benefit. A variable plan can change price during your contract, up or down, and your supplier must give you advance notice of a price change. Neither is automatically cheaper. The right choice depends on how much you value certainty and whether you are willing to review your plan again when prices move.
Some plans described as fixed term are fixed in length but not in price, so check whether it is the contract or the price that is fixed, and for how long.
Exit fees
Many fixed term gas contracts charge a fee if you leave before the end of the term. Check whether one applies to your current contract before you switch, and to any new contract before you sign. If you are likely to move home during the term, or want the freedom to switch again if prices fall, a plan without an exit fee may suit you better even if its price is slightly higher.
Payment conditions
- Direct debit. The advertised price or discount often depends on paying by direct debit. If you prefer another payment method, ask what price applies to you.
- Paperless billing. Some discounts require you to manage your account and receive bills online.
- Pay As You Go gas meters. If you have a Pay As You Go gas meter, check which plans are available for that meter type, as the range can differ from bill pay plans.
- Billing frequency. Gas is usually billed every two months. Check how often you will be billed and how readings are taken.
Dual fuel
Gas only or dual fuel plans in Ireland
A dual fuel plan supplies both gas and electricity from one supplier, often with an extra discount for taking both. It can be convenient to deal with one company, and for some households a dual fuel plan is the cheaper option. It is not always the cheapest, though. Choosing the best value gas plan from one supplier and the best value electricity plan from another can sometimes cost less in total than any single bundle.
For a fair gas and electricity comparison:
- Compare the combined annual cost. Add up the estimated annual cost of both fuels on the dual fuel plan, then compare it with the best separate gas and electricity plans for your usage.
- Check what the dual fuel discount depends on. If you later move one fuel elsewhere, the discount on the other may be withdrawn.
- Line up the contract dates. If your gas and electricity contracts currently end at different times, switching both together may mean paying an exit fee on one of them.
- Have both reference numbers ready. You will need your GPRN for gas and your MPRN for electricity.
Our guide to dual fuel electricity and gas plans works through a full comparison of a dual fuel offer against separate plans, including discounts, exit fees and different contract end dates. For what to check on the electricity side, including smart meters and time of use tariffs, see our Electricity guide.
Before you compare
What to compare on every gas plan
A low headline price is only a cheap gas plan if it still looks good once your own usage, the standing charge and the contract terms are factored in. Before comparing gas suppliers, make sure you can answer the following for each plan.
Unit rate and standing charge. Both figures, on the same VAT basis.
What the discount applies to. Unit rate only or the full bill, and for how long.
Estimated annual cost. Based on your own annual gas usage, not an average household.
Fixed or variable price. Whether the price itself is fixed, and for how long.
Contract length and exit fees. How long you are committing for, and any cost to leave early.
Payment conditions. Whether the price needs direct debit, paperless billing or a second fuel.
Upgrader.ie original tool
Gas Plan Check
Answer a few questions about how your household uses gas to see what deserves particular attention when you compare gas plans. This tool does not compare live tariffs, does not identify the cheapest supplier, does not calculate savings, and does not recommend a specific supplier. It is an educational starting point only.
Prefer to talk it through? A member of the comparison team can call you about the gas plans available to you.
Request a callback
Your GPRN
What a GPRN is and where to find it
Your GPRN, or Gas Point Registration Number, is a unique seven digit number that identifies your home's connection to the gas network. It belongs to the property, not to you or your supplier, so it stays the same when you switch gas supplier and when someone new moves in. A new supplier uses it to make sure the right supply point is transferred.
- On your gas bill. It is printed on every gas bill, usually near the top of the first page, and clearly labelled GPRN.
- On a Pay As You Go meter. It appears on your top up receipt, and can be shown on the meter's display.
- If you have just moved in. Your landlord, letting agent or the previous occupant may be able to give it to you.
- From Gas Networks Ireland. If none of the above work, Gas Networks Ireland can confirm your GPRN once it has verified details such as your address and meter serial number.
Your GPRN is not the same as your gas meter's serial number, or your MPRN, which identifies your electricity connection.
Who to contact
When to contact Gas Networks Ireland rather than your supplier
Your gas supplier sells you gas and bills you for it. Gas Networks Ireland owns, operates and maintains the gas network and the meters, but it does not sell gas to households. Knowing which of the two to contact saves time.
Contact your gas supplier about
- Your bill, prices, discounts and payment arrangements.
- Your contract, renewal, exit fees and switching to a different plan.
- Moving out, closing an account or changing to or from a Pay As You Go meter.
- Complaints about the service you receive, before escalating to the CRU if unresolved.
Contact Gas Networks Ireland about
- A smell of gas or any suspected gas leak, immediately, on its 24-hour emergency line, 1800 20 50 50. See If you smell gas above.
- No gas supply, or a suspected fault with your meter or the pipes up to it.
- A new gas connection, or moving or altering a meter.
- Confirming your GPRN, or submitting a meter reading.
Getting ready
What to have ready before you compare or switch gas supplier
- A recent gas bill. It shows your supplier, account number, GPRN, unit rate and standing charge.
- Your GPRN. Needed by any new supplier to transfer your supply.
- Twelve months of gas usage in kWh. The figure that turns any quote into a meaningful estimated annual cost.
- An up to date meter reading. Take one on or close to the switch date, so your final bill and your new supplier's opening reading are accurate.
- Your contract end date and any exit fee. Found in your contract, on your bill or in your online account.
- Your MPRN, if comparing dual fuel. The electricity equivalent of your GPRN, shown on your electricity bill.
If you receive the Household Benefits Package
If your Household Benefits Package energy allowance is paid as a credit on your gas bill, Citizens Information advises that you tell the Department of Social Protection when you change supplier, so the credit follows you to your new account.
Comparison callback
How the comparison callback works
If you would like help comparing gas plans, you can request a callback using the form below. Your details are passed to our comparison partner, Selectra, so a member of its comparison team can contact you to talk through your current plan and the options available.
- What affects the options. The options you hear about depend on your circumstances, such as whether your home has a Pay As You Go meter and how much gas you use, and on the plans available through Selectra's comparison service. They may not include every supplier or every plan available in Ireland.
- No commitment. Requesting a callback does not commit you to switching. You can decide not to go ahead.
- Have a recent bill to hand. It makes the call easier, and the list with the form below covers the rest.
For more information about how the comparison service works, see Our Partnerships.
Callback
Request a callback
Tell us what you would like help with and a member of the comparison team will contact you.
How it works
- Send your details using this form.
- A member of the comparison team will call you.
- Discuss the available options and decide whether any of them suit you.
Useful to have to hand
- A recent gas bill
- Your GPRN, which is printed on your bill
- When your current contract ends, if you are on a fixed term
Thank you. Your callback request has been sent.
A member of the comparison team will contact you about your enquiry.
Switching supplier
What happens when you switch gas supplier
Switching gas supplier in Ireland is free and is handled for you by the new supplier. The broad sequence is the same whichever supplier you choose.
- You agree a plan with the new supplier. You give your consent, online, by phone or by signing an authorisation form, along with your GPRN and account details.
- The new supplier arranges the transfer. It notifies the market of the change and your existing supplier is informed. You do not normally need to contact your old supplier to arrange the switch, though you should still check your current contract terms.
- A cooling off period applies. After agreeing a new contract you generally have a period in which you can cancel without penalty. The length can depend on how the contract was agreed, so confirm the timeframe with your new supplier or check current guidance from the CRU or Citizens Information.
- A meter reading marks the changeover. Your old supplier issues a final bill up to the switch date and your new supplier bills you from it. Submitting your own reading helps avoid an estimate.
- Suppliers follow CRU rules. All licensed gas suppliers in Ireland operate under rules set by the CRU covering billing, complaints and how switching is handled.
Why your gas supply is not interrupted
A normal supplier switch is an administrative change to who bills you, not a physical change to your home. Your gas continues to arrive through the same Gas Networks Ireland pipes and the same meter, and no engineer needs to visit. Gas Networks Ireland owns and maintains the network and connects every home on it, whichever supplier the household uses, which is why your supply carries on uninterrupted during and after a switch.
If you are moving home
When you move out, give your current supplier a closing meter reading and a forwarding address. When you move into a home with a gas supply, take an opening reading on the day you get the keys and register with a supplier of your choice using the property's GPRN. You are not obliged to stay with the previous occupant's supplier. If the gas supply at the new property has been switched off or the meter removed, reconnection is arranged through a supplier and Gas Networks Ireland, so allow extra time.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare gas prices in Ireland?
Start with your annual gas usage in kWh, taken from twelve months of bills or your supplier's online account. Then, for each plan, check the unit rate, the standing charge, what any discount applies to and how long it lasts, and the contract length and exit fees. Combine these into an estimated annual cost based on your own usage, and compare plans on that figure rather than on the headline discount. A CRU accredited price comparison website can show current prices side by side once you enter your usage.
Who is the cheapest gas supplier in Ireland?
There is no single answer that holds for every household. The cheapest gas plan for you depends on how much gas you use, the balance between unit rate and standing charge, how any discount is applied and the plan's terms, and supplier prices change regularly. Upgrader.ie does not name a cheapest supplier. To see current prices, compare plans on estimated annual cost using your own annual usage, for example through a CRU accredited price comparison website.
Can I switch gas supplier without interrupting my supply?
Yes. A normal switch of gas supplier is an administrative change to who bills you. Your gas continues to arrive through the same Gas Networks Ireland network and the same meter, no engineer needs to visit, and your supply is not interrupted during the switch.
What information do I need to switch gas supplier?
You will need your GPRN, an up to date meter reading, your account details from a recent gas bill and the details of the plan you are switching to. It also helps to know your annual gas usage in kWh, your current contract end date and whether an exit fee applies. If you are taking a dual fuel plan, have your electricity MPRN ready too.
Where can I find my GPRN?
Your GPRN, or Gas Point Registration Number, is a seven digit number printed on your gas bill, usually near the top of the first page. If you have a Pay As You Go gas meter, it appears on your top up receipt. If you have just moved in, your landlord or the previous occupant may have it, and Gas Networks Ireland can confirm it once it has verified your details.
Is dual fuel always cheaper than separate gas and electricity suppliers?
No. A dual fuel plan can be good value and is convenient, but choosing the best gas plan from one supplier and the best electricity plan from another can sometimes cost less in total. Compare the combined estimated annual cost of both fuels each way, check whether the dual fuel discount depends on keeping both fuels with the same supplier, and check the contract end dates for each fuel.
Does Upgrader.ie compare every gas supplier in Ireland?
No. Upgrader.ie is an independent information resource, not a price comparison website. We explain what affects a gas bill and what to check before you compare or switch, but we do not show live gas prices, compare suppliers' current plans or switch you to a supplier, and we do not claim CRU accreditation. The CRU publishes the current list of licensed energy suppliers and accredited price comparison websites.
Have a question about your gas options? A member of the comparison team can call you.
Request a callback
Related guides
Go deeper on a related topic
- Electricity in Ireland: what to check before comparing and switching electricity supplier.
- Broadband in Ireland: what to check before comparing or switching broadband.
- Waste Collection in Ireland: comparing collectors, pricing plans and what to check before you switch.
- Insulation in Ireland: reducing the heat your home loses, and the gas it needs to stay warm.
- Household Services: all our independent guides to everyday household bills and switching.
Sources
Where to verify the latest position
This page summarises publicly available guidance current as of October 2026. It is not a substitute for checking directly with the bodies below, and prices, taxes and scheme details can change after publication.
- CRU: Switch energy supplier (opens in a new tab), checked October 2026
- CRU: Energy suppliers in Ireland (opens in a new tab), checked October 2026
- CRU: Price comparison websites (opens in a new tab), checked October 2026
- CRU: Your gas bill (opens in a new tab), checked October 2026
- CRU: Your gas meter (opens in a new tab), checked October 2026
- Gas Networks Ireland: What is a GPRN (opens in a new tab), checked October 2026
- Gas Networks Ireland: Gas bill queries (opens in a new tab), checked October 2026
- Gas Networks Ireland: Customer FAQs (opens in a new tab), checked October 2026
- Gas Networks Ireland: What to do if you smell gas (opens in a new tab), checked October 2026
- Citizens Information: Gas, getting connected or switching (opens in a new tab), checked October 2026
Page updates
October 2026: Added the Gas Bill Calculator, which estimates and compares annual unit and standing charges from rates you enter.
Household Services
Explore more ways to manage your household bills
Gas is one part of your household bills. Browse our Electricity, Broadband and Waste guides, and our other Household Services pages, to see what else could suit your household.
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