Gas vs Electricity in Ireland: Which is Cheaper?
Published Date:31.07.2024
Gas vs Electricity in Ireland: Which is Cheaper?
When it comes to cutting down on energy bills in Ireland, understanding the cost differences between gas and electricity is crucial. Let’s compare these two energy sources and see how they measure up in terms of expenses, efficiency, and practicality.
Gas vs Electricity: An Overview
Gas Systems Gas systems use a gas boiler to heat water, which is then sent to radiators, taps, and showers. They also provide heat for cooking appliances such as ovens and cookers.
Electric Systems Electricity powers all household devices, including TVs, kettles, and heaters. Electric heating is provided through devices like storage heaters and electric radiators. While not all homes have a natural gas connection, electricity is universally available and highly versatile.
Is Gas or Electric Cheaper?
On the surface, gas is significantly cheaper than electricity. As of the latest energy price cap, gas costs about 5.48 cents per kWh, whereas electricity costs approximately 22.36 cents per kWh, making electricity more than four times as expensive as gas.
However, this comparison isn’t straightforward. Gas boilers and heating systems are generally less efficient than their electric counterparts. Additionally, electric systems can benefit from Economy 7 or Economy 10 meters, which offer lower rates during off-peak hours, typically overnight. Gas prices remain constant throughout the day, providing no opportunity for off-peak savings.
Gas boilers also require regular maintenance and can be costly to repair or replace, while electric systems have fewer moving parts and thus fewer potential points of failure.
Heating Your Home: Gas vs Electric
If you have a modern gas boiler, it’s generally cheaper to use gas for heating. To maximize savings, take energy-saving measures like turning off radiators in unused rooms and lowering the thermostat by a degree or two.
Electric heating systems, including modern electric boilers, have improved significantly. Although the initial cost of installing a gas central heating system can be high, maintaining an existing electric system might be more economical in the long run.
Cooking: Gas vs Electric
Gas ovens are cheaper to run than electric ones. However, electric appliances like microwaves and air fryers can perform many cooking tasks more quickly and efficiently, often using less energy. If you have an electric oven, use the internal fan to reduce the required cooking temperature and save energy. Batch cooking and freezing meals can also reduce oven usage.
Induction hobs, an electric cooking option, are as quick and flexible as gas cookers and easier to clean.
Heating Systems: Gas Fires, Electric Heaters, and Wood Burners
Electric heaters, though less visually appealing than gas fires, are portable, easy to store, and require no cleaning. Electric central heating systems, featuring electric boilers and central controls, mimic traditional gas systems but with the added benefits of electric efficiency.
Storage heaters, another electric option, offer similar conveniences. While gas fires have lower running costs, they are expensive to install. Wood burners, although aesthetically pleasing, are costly to run and face increasing environmental restrictions.
The Greenest Way to Heat Your Home
With the Irish government banning gas boilers in new homes from 2025 and growing awareness of environmental impacts, green heating options are gaining popularity.
Heat Pumps Powered by electricity, heat pumps extract heat from the air or ground to warm your home and water. They are highly energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Biomass Boilers Using wood pellets, chips, or logs instead of gas, biomass boilers are another green alternative.
Grants of up to €5,000 are available to help replace old gas boilers with heat pumps or biomass boilers, potentially making these green options as affordable as new gas systems. However, their effectiveness depends on proper home insulation, which can be expensive to upgrade initially but saves money long-term.
Conclusion
In summary, while gas is cheaper per kWh, electricity offers greater efficiency and versatility. The choice between gas and electric depends on various factors, including the efficiency of your current systems, your ability to utilize off-peak electricity rates, and the potential for adopting greener technologies. Consider these elements carefully to make the most cost-effective and sustainable energy choice for your home.