Expats who have resided in Ireland will want to know the options they have from the utility companies. It is recommended that before you choose your electricity, gas and water provider that you shop around. Doing this can save you money.
A list of licensed electricity and gas suppliers can be found on the commission for Energy Regulations website.
Electricity
The market for electricity is now growing giving the option to expats to choose from a range of suppliers. Electricity in Ireland runs on a 230 Volts system with the cost being quite high.
The main electricity provider in Ireland is the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) who is responsible for connecting customers to the network and then getting meter readings which are passed to the relevant supplier.
Expats who require electricity supply apply to the ESB for connecting and to the electricity company to arrange the supply.
Electricity bills are issued every 2 months and can be paid via direct debit and by ATM transactions.
Gas
Many electricity providers will also provide you with gas supply which is generally used for heating and cooking. Bord Gais is a national agency which operates the natural gas and distribution networks.
Connecting to the gas supply can be arranged by the supplier of your choice. Gas bills are also issued every 2 months which can be paid in different ways.
Water
There is an efficient supply of water to Irish homes, with the water services being managed by Irish water. Expats may find that in some remote areas, houses will not be connected to a public water supply but instead is provided through a group water scheme which is organised by local residents.
Waste Disposal
The local authorities of the area you are living in are responsible for the domestic waste disposal with regular collections. There are charges applied in different areas.
Residents who do not want to pay for waste disposal are encouraged to visit local recycling depots and landfills.