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Electricity and gas guide

Dual Fuel Electricity and Gas Plans in Ireland

A dual fuel plan puts your electricity and natural gas with one supplier, often with a discount for taking both. It can be convenient and competitive, but it is not automatically the cheaper route. This guide shows how to compare a dual fuel offer with separate electricity and gas plans on the combined annual cost for your own household.

Edited and reviewed by Paul Hudson Updated 23 October 2026 Independent guide, educational only, not a price comparison

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What a dual fuel plan is

A dual fuel plan is an arrangement where one supplier provides both your electricity and your natural gas. You agree the plan with a single company, and you may receive one combined bill or a separate bill for each fuel, depending on the supplier.

Irish kitchen with an electric light and gas hob flame

Behind the single arrangement, the two fuels stay separate. Electricity still has its own unit rate and standing charge, gas has its own unit rate and standing charge, and your home keeps its electricity meter and MPRN and its gas meter and GPRN. The networks do not change either: ESB Networks still runs the electricity network and Gas Networks Ireland the gas network, whichever supplier you choose. What a dual fuel plan usually adds is a discount, credit or other benefit linked to taking both fuels from the same supplier.

Dual fuel is only possible if your home is connected to the natural gas network. Homes that heat with oil, LPG or bottled gas can compare electricity plans on their own, using our guide to electricity in Ireland.

Is dual fuel always cheaper?

No. A dual fuel plan can be good value, and some households will find that one is the lowest cost option available to them. It is not the cheapest by default, though. The supplier with the best electricity price for your usage is not necessarily the one with the best gas price, and a bundle discount does not always make up the difference. Pairing the strongest electricity offer from one company with the strongest gas offer from another can sometimes add up to less than any single dual fuel offer.

The answer for your household depends on three things: how much electricity and gas you use, the prices and terms of the plans available when you compare, and how long any discount or credit lasts. Convenience has a value too, and some households are happy to pay a little more for one supplier, one login and one set of renewal dates. That is a reasonable choice, as long as it is made knowing what the combined cost of each route is.

The question to answer

Is the combined estimated annual cost of a dual fuel offer lower than the combined cost of the best separate electricity and gas plans for your usage, once standing charges, discounts, credits and any exit fees are taken into account?

How to compare the combined estimated annual cost

Comparing dual fuel means adding two separate calculations together. For each fuel, the estimated annual cost is your annual usage multiplied by the unit rate, plus the standing charge for the year, less any discount or credit that applies during that year. Our Electricity and Gas guides explain each part of those bills in detail, and each has its own bill calculator for comparing two plans for a single fuel.

For a dual fuel comparison, the important step is to keep both fuels in the same total:

  1. Start with your own annual usage for each fuel. Use the kWh figures from your bills, annual statements or online accounts, not an average household figure. Gas usage in particular varies widely between homes.
  2. Work out the first year cost of each fuel on the dual fuel offer. Include both standing charges, then apply the discount only to the part of the bill it covers, and subtract any welcome credit.
  3. Work out the same figures for the best separate plans. Choose the electricity plan and the gas plan that suit your usage best, even if they come from different suppliers, and apply their own discounts and credits.
  4. Add each route together and compare the totals. Compare the two combined figures, not the headline discounts or the unit rates on their own.
  5. Note the exit fees and the second year separately. An exit fee on a current contract, or a discount that ends after twelve months, can change which route works out better over time.

Ask each supplier, or a CRU accredited price comparison website, for the estimated annual cost of each plan based on your usage. Make sure every figure you compare is on the same basis, for example all including VAT.

Comparing dual fuel against separate electricity and gas plans

The worked example below follows the steps above for one household. It compares a single dual fuel offer with a separate electricity plan and a separate gas plan from two other suppliers.

Hypothetical example

Every figure in this example is invented for illustration. The usage, unit rates, standing charges, discounts and credits are round numbers chosen to make the arithmetic easy to follow. They do not show current market rates, any real supplier's prices or what a typical household pays. For simplicity, treat every figure as including VAT.

The household

Say a household uses 4,000 kWh of electricity and 10,000 kWh of gas a year, taken from its last twelve months of bills. Its electricity is out of contract. Its gas is on a fixed term contract that ends in four months, with a €50 exit fee for leaving early.

Route 1: a combined dual fuel offer

Electricity at 36c per kWh with a standing charge of €280 a year, and gas at 12c per kWh with a standing charge of €140 a year. The offer includes a 5% dual fuel discount on the unit charges for both fuels for the first twelve months, and a one off €50 welcome credit.

Route 1, dual fuel offer: first year estimate (hypothetical figures)
Item Amount
Electricity unit charges: 4,000 kWh × 36c€1,440.00
Electricity standing charge€280.00
Gas unit charges: 10,000 kWh × 12c€1,200.00
Gas standing charge€140.00
Subtotal before discount and credit€3,060.00
Dual fuel discount: 5% of unit charges (€1,440.00 + €1,200.00 = €2,640.00)−€132.00
Welcome credit−€50.00
Route 1 first year total€2,878.00

Route 2: separate electricity and gas plans

An electricity plan from one supplier at 33c per kWh with a standing charge of €260 a year and an 8% discount on the unit rate for the first twelve months. A gas plan from a different supplier at 11.5c per kWh with a standing charge of €150 a year, no discount and a one off €30 welcome credit.

Route 2, separate plans: first year estimate (hypothetical figures)
Item Amount
Electricity unit charges: 4,000 kWh × 33c€1,320.00
Electricity discount: 8% of €1,320.00−€105.60
Electricity standing charge€260.00
Electricity first year total€1,474.40
Gas unit charges: 10,000 kWh × 11.5c€1,150.00
Gas standing charge€150.00
Gas welcome credit−€30.00
Gas first year total€1,270.00
Route 2 first year total: €1,474.40 + €1,270.00€2,744.40

What the totals show

In this example, the separate plans work out €133.60 lower over the first year (€2,878.00 less €2,744.40), even though the dual fuel offer has a bundle discount and a larger welcome credit. The lower unit rates on the separate plans matter more than the discount, because this household uses a fair amount of both fuels.

The exit fee, shown separately

The gas contract still has four months to run. Switching gas now, on either route, would add the €50 exit fee, bringing Route 1 to €2,928.00 and Route 2 to €2,794.40 if both fuels move straight away. On Route 2, the household could instead move electricity now and gas when its contract ends in four months, avoiding the fee. The exit fee is a one off cost of leaving the current contract, so it belongs alongside the comparison rather than inside either plan's annual cost.

What the example does not prove

A different household, or a different set of offers, could easily reverse the result. A larger dual fuel discount, a lower bundled standing charge or a household with much lower electricity usage could make the dual fuel offer cheaper. Discounts and credits in this example also apply only in the first year, so the comparison should be repeated at renewal. The cheaper route always depends on your own usage and on the plans available at the time you compare.

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How dual fuel discounts and welcome credits work

Dual fuel offers commonly include one or more of the following. The exact form varies from plan to plan, so read how each one is applied rather than relying on the headline figure.

  • A percentage discount. Often applied to the unit rate only, sometimes to the whole bill, and sometimes at a different rate for each fuel. A discount on unit charges does not reduce the standing charges.
  • A welcome or sign up credit. A fixed amount credited to your account, usually once. It reduces the first year cost but does not recur.
  • A time limit. Many discounts last for a fixed period, commonly the first twelve months, after which the price may revert to the supplier's standard rates.
  • Payment conditions. A discount may only apply while you pay by direct debit, receive bills online or manage the account through an app or website.

When you compare, apply each discount only to the part of the bill it covers and only for the period it lasts, and count a welcome credit once. Our guide to unit rates, standing charges and discounts explains why a larger discount is not always the cheaper plan.

What happens if a discount depends on keeping both fuels

A dual fuel discount is often conditional on keeping both electricity and gas with the same supplier. If you later move one fuel elsewhere, the terms may allow the supplier to reduce or remove the discount on the fuel that stays, or to move it to a different tariff. Before you sign up, check:

  • Whether the discount is described as a dual fuel or multi product discount, and what condition it depends on
  • What happens to the price of each fuel if the other one leaves
  • Whether leaving one fuel early triggers an exit fee on that fuel, the other fuel, or both

This matters most if you think you might switch one fuel during the contract, for example to take a smart electricity tariff elsewhere. A cheaper electricity deal is less attractive if it means your gas price goes up.

Different electricity and gas contract end dates

Many households set up electricity and gas at different times, so their two contracts end on different dates. That affects dual fuel in two ways.

When you are thinking of moving to a dual fuel plan, one fuel may still be in a fixed term contract while the other is not. Switching both together now could mean an exit fee on the one still in contract. You can compare three options: switch both now and pay the fee, wait until both contracts have ended, or move each fuel when its own contract ends.

Within a dual fuel plan, check whether both fuels share one contract end date or whether each keeps its own. If the dates differ, note both. Your supplier should tell you before a fixed term ends and your price changes, but it is worth keeping your own record of when each fuel comes up for review.

Exit fees when switching both fuels

There is no charge for switching energy supplier at the end of a contract, but you may be charged an exit fee for leaving a fixed term contract early. Under a dual fuel plan, an exit fee may apply to each fuel separately, so leaving both early could mean two fees. Your contract terms set out whether a fee applies, how much it is and how it is calculated.

When comparing, keep any exit fee separate from the annual cost of the new plan, as in the worked example above, and add it to the route that would trigger it. A fee can be worth paying if the saving on the new plan is larger, but that is only clear once both figures are written down.

Smart electricity tariffs within a dual fuel arrangement

If your home has a smart electricity meter, you may be on, or considering, a smart or time of use tariff with different rates at different times of day. Taking a dual fuel plan does not change how those tariffs work, but it can narrow the choice. A supplier's dual fuel range may not include every electricity tariff it offers on its own, and the best time of use tariff for your household may come from a different supplier from the best gas plan.

When you compare, price the electricity part of a dual fuel offer on the tariff you would actually use, with your own split of usage across the time bands, and compare it with the smart tariffs available separately. Our guide to smart meters and time of use tariffs explains how to check your usage pattern. Gas meters are separate and are not affected by the type of electricity tariff you choose.

Fixed and variable prices across the two fuels

A dual fuel plan does not necessarily mean both fuels are priced the same way. Each fuel may be on a fixed price for a set term or on a variable price that the supplier can change, and the two can differ within the same plan. Check:

  • Whether the unit rate and standing charge for each fuel are fixed, and for how long
  • Whether a fixed term contract also means a fixed price, as a fixed term with a discount can still have a variable underlying rate
  • What happens to each fuel's price when its fixed period ends

Your supplier should tell you in advance about a price change. Check your contract terms for the notice you will receive and what your options are if a price changes during a fixed term. Because gas use is concentrated in winter, a fixed gas price is most valuable when it covers the colder months.

What happens if you later move one fuel elsewhere

You are not locked into keeping both fuels together. You can move electricity or gas to another supplier at any time, subject to the terms of your contract. When one fuel leaves, the other stays with your current supplier, and three things may change:

  • The remaining fuel's price. If its discount depended on dual fuel, it may be reduced or removed.
  • Exit fees. Leaving the moving fuel before the end of a fixed term may trigger an exit fee.
  • Your bills. You will deal with two suppliers, with separate bills, accounts and renewal dates.

Before moving one fuel, compare the new total: the new plan for the moving fuel, plus the price the remaining fuel would be on afterwards, plus any exit fee. If that is lower than what you pay now on dual fuel, the move is likely to be worthwhile.

Moving home with a dual fuel plan

When you move out, contact your supplier in advance, give closing meter readings for both electricity and gas, and provide a forwarding address for your final bills. Check your contract too: some suppliers can move a plan to a new address, while ending it early elsewhere may involve an exit fee.

At your new home, take opening readings for both meters on the day you move in and register with a supplier of your choice. You do not have to stay with the previous occupant's supplier, and moving is a natural point to compare dual fuel with separate plans afresh. Not every home has a gas supply, so confirm that the new property is connected to the gas network before choosing dual fuel. Our Electricity and Gas guides cover what to do with each meter when you move.

What information to have ready

A dual fuel comparison needs the details for both fuels side by side. Most of them are on your recent bills or in your online accounts.

For electricity and gas

  • Your electricity MPRN, an 11 digit number that starts with 10, printed on your electricity bill
  • Your gas GPRN, a seven digit number printed on your gas bill
  • Your annual usage in kWh for electricity and for gas, covering a full twelve months
  • Your current unit rate and standing charge for each fuel
  • Your electricity tariff type: standard, day and night, or smart time of use
  • The contract end date and any exit fee for each fuel
  • Up to date meter readings for both fuels when you are ready to switch

For where to find your MPRN and GPRN if you have no bill to hand, see our Electricity and Gas guides.

When separate suppliers may be the better option

Separate electricity and gas suppliers may suit your household better when:

  • The best electricity plan and the best gas plan for your usage come from different suppliers, and the combined cost is lower than any dual fuel offer
  • You want a particular smart or time of use electricity tariff that is not available as part of a dual fuel plan
  • Your two contracts end at different times and moving each fuel separately avoids an exit fee
  • You expect to switch one fuel during the contract, and a dual fuel discount would be lost if you did
  • Your usage of one fuel is very high or very low, so the rates for that fuel matter more than a bundle discount

A dual fuel plan may suit you better when its combined cost is lower, or close enough that you prefer the convenience of one supplier. Either way, the decision comes back to comparing the two combined totals.

Upgrader.ie original tool

Dual Fuel Plan Check

Answer six questions about your home and your current electricity and gas arrangements to see what deserves particular attention when you compare dual fuel with separate plans. This is an educational starting point only, not a calculator.

Does your home use both mains electricity and natural gas?
Do you know your annual usage in kWh for both fuels?
Do your electricity and gas contracts end at about the same time?
Are your electricity and gas currently with the same supplier?
What type of electricity tariff are you on?
Are you switching at your current address or moving home?

Answer all the questions to see your personalised summary.

This tool gives general pointers based on the answers you enter. It does not access live tariffs, does not identify the cheapest plan, does not compare every supplier, does not calculate guaranteed savings, does not recommend a supplier, and is not a CRU accredited price comparison service.

What happens if you decide to switch

Switching energy supplier in Ireland is free at the end of a contract, and the new supplier arranges the transfer. You do not normally need to contact your old supplier to arrange it, and your electricity and gas keep flowing through the same networks and meters throughout. For a dual fuel plan, the new supplier transfers both fuels, using your MPRN and your GPRN.

A cooling off period applies when you agree a new contract, during which you can cancel without penalty. Official guidance commonly refers to 14 days, and some distance or off-premises contracts can have a longer period. The length can depend on how and where the contract was agreed, so confirm the applicable period in the supplier's terms and current CRU or Citizens Information guidance. Submitting meter readings for both fuels around the switch date helps make sure your final and opening bills are accurate.

The full switching steps for each fuel are set out in our Electricity and Gas guides.

How the comparison callback works

If you would like help comparing a dual fuel plan with separate electricity and 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 plans and the options available. The plans discussed depend on the options available through Selectra's comparison service, and may not include every supplier or every plan available in Ireland. The form itself does not show or compare prices; it only asks the comparison team to contact you.

Requesting a callback does not commit you to switching. For more information about how the comparison service works, see Our Partnerships.

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Tell us what you would like help with and a member of the comparison team will contact you.

How it works

  1. Send your details using this form.
  2. A member of the comparison team will call you.
  3. Discuss the available options and decide whether any of them suit you.

Useful to have to hand

  • Recent electricity and gas bills
  • Your MPRN and GPRN, which are printed on your bills
  • When each of your current contracts ends, if you are on a fixed term

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.

For example, 087 123 4567. Include the country code if it is not an Irish number.

By submitting this form, you agree that your details may be shared with Selectra so they can contact you about your enquiry. See our Privacy Policy.

Frequently asked questions

Is a dual fuel plan cheaper than separate electricity and gas suppliers?

Not necessarily. A dual fuel plan can be competitive, and some include a discount for taking both fuels, but the best separate electricity and gas plans for your usage can sometimes cost less in total. The reliable way to find out is to compare the combined estimated annual cost of both fuels each way, using your own annual usage, and to count discounts and credits only for as long as they apply.

What is a dual fuel plan?

A dual fuel plan is an arrangement where one supplier provides both your electricity and your natural gas. Each fuel still has its own unit rate and standing charge, and your home keeps its separate electricity and gas meters, MPRN and GPRN. Depending on the supplier, you may receive one combined bill or a separate bill for each fuel.

Can I get dual fuel if my home does not have mains gas?

No. A dual fuel plan needs a connection to the natural gas network as well as an electricity connection. Homes that heat with oil, LPG or bottled gas can compare electricity plans on their own.

What happens to my dual fuel discount if I move one fuel to another supplier?

It depends on the terms of your plan. Where a discount depends on keeping both fuels with the same supplier, moving one fuel elsewhere may reduce or remove the discount on the fuel that stays. Check the terms before you switch, and include any change in the cost of the remaining fuel when you compare.

Do I have to switch electricity and gas at the same time?

No. You can switch both fuels together or move each one separately. If your two contracts end at different times, moving each fuel when its own contract ends can avoid an exit fee, so compare that option with switching both at once.

Will I pay an exit fee to leave a dual fuel plan?

You may, if you leave a fixed term contract before it ends. Check whether an exit fee applies to each fuel, how much it is and when each contract term ends. There is no charge for switching supplier at the end of a contract.

Can I have a smart electricity tariff on a dual fuel plan?

Often, but check the offer. Make sure the dual fuel plan includes an electricity tariff that suits your meter and the way your household uses electricity, and compare its time bands and rates with smart or time of use tariffs available on their own.

What information do I need to compare dual fuel plans?

Your electricity MPRN and gas GPRN, your annual usage in kWh for each fuel, your current unit rates and standing charges, the contract end date and any exit fee for each fuel, and your electricity tariff type. Recent bills or your online accounts usually show all of these.

Does Upgrader.ie compare every dual fuel plan in Ireland?

No. Upgrader.ie is an independent information resource, not a price comparison website. We do not show live prices, compare every supplier or plan, identify a cheapest supplier or claim CRU accreditation. The CRU publishes the current list of licensed energy suppliers and accredited price comparison websites.

Next steps

Ready to compare dual fuel and separate plans?

Have your MPRN, GPRN, annual usage for both fuels and your contract end dates to hand, then request a callback to talk through the options.

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Sources

Where to verify the latest position

These are the official sources for the regulatory and practical points in this guide. Prices, contract terms and consumer protections can change, so confirm current details with your supplier or the bodies below before relying on them. This guide is educational and does not show live prices.

Page updates

23 October 2026: Guide published, including the hypothetical worked example and the Dual Fuel Plan Check.