CONSUMERS ARE BEING encouraged to change their energy suppliers to save money on their energy bills by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.

The Commission (CRU) said today customers who switched to the best available discount tariff, or renegotiated every year, could have saved close to €1,700 on electricity and €740 on gas bills over the last four years.

Changing supplier “remains one of the fastest and most effective ways to secure better tariffs and savings on bills”, the CRU said, as well as other measures like smart meters.

The CRU has launched its campaign “Switch it Up” today to raise consumers’ awareness of the financial savings available when switching providers.

Launching the campaign, the CRU’s Director of Consumer Policy and Protection Karen Trant said on average only 20% of electricity customers switched supplier.

“Meaning almost 1.7 million customers do not switch electricity supplier when they can on an annual basis,” she said.

“We encourage all consumers to engage with their energy suppliers, whether through switching, negotiating, or simply checking in to see what options are available to them.”

She said the campaign is about “empowering consumers to make the right decisions when it comes to their energy supplier”, and said the CRU encourages all consumers to engage with their energy providers, “whether through switching, negotiating, or simply checking in to see what options are available to them”.

“With energy costs at the forefront of many people’s minds, the CRU encourages customers to regularly check deals and offers available on any CRU-accredited price comparison website.

“These resources ensure people can stay up-to-date and informed on the best tariff rates available in the market.”

In October, a report by the International Energy Agency found that Ireland has some of the highest electricity prices in the world, and electricity is being sold here at three times its wholesale cost. The ESRI has said it cannot find an explanation for the height of energy prices in Ireland.

A number of providers raised their prices in October. At the end of November, the CRU revealed that amount of money owed on energy bills is climbing, with 187,300 electricity customers who are now 90 days or more behind on their bills.

This is an increase of 26,000 accounts on last year.

The government has faced heavy pressure to reinstate energy credits, a measure that was not included in Budget 2026.