Autumn Energy Saving Tips: Bill-pay v pre-pay plans

Do you pay for your electricity and gas via regular bills from your provider, or do you top up as you go with a pre-pay plan?

While pre-pay plans can help with budgeting, they often cost significantly more than bill-pay options due to higher unit rates, additional service charges and fewer discounts.  

A 2025 study by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul found that the cheapest pre-pay tariff was approximately 45% more expensive than a discounted bill-pay plan. The most expensive pre-pay tariff reviewed was around 63% more expensive than a comparable bill-pay offer.  

Based on current market comparisons, many Irish households could reduce their energy costs each year by switching to a competitive bill-pay plan, while also benefiting from exclusive discounts, direct debit savings, smart tariffs, and better-value long-term offers. If you’re currently on a pre-pay tariff, taking a few minutes to compare bill-pay options could be one of the simplest ways to reduce your household energy costs and protect your budget from future price increases. 

Did you know? 

Pre pay meters are not recommended if a heat pump is your main heating supply. A heat pump is designed to operate most efficiently when left alone. If you run out of credit on a pre-pay meter the heat pump can cost more to come back up to its ideal operating state. 

Tip: Consider putting a regular amount away each week for energy bills instead of using a pre-pay meter.