Equaliser

Customer Guide

What is Equaliser?

Equaliser is a payment method which allows you to spread the cost of your yearly electricity or gas bill into twelve equal, monthly direct debit payment amounts.

We'll calculate your total electricity costs or total gas costs for the year based on the following:

• Your previous electricity and/or gas usage
• Your electricity and/or gas price plan

We'll also include a 10% contingency to allow for any electricity and/or gas price changes, changes in weather or other factors.

Your monthly payment is this total divided by 12.

Will I still get a bill every 2 months if I sign up to Equaliser?

Yes, you will still continue to receive your electricity and/or gas bill every 2 months, which will show your payments and the balance remaining on your bill.

*At the end of every year we'll amend your usual monthly payment to match your energy usage.

Read more about Electricity or Gas Equaliser and how it can help you manage your energy bill.

Why is my new monthly direct debit higher than last year?

Your monthly Gas and/or Electricity Equaliser payment amount is reviewed every 12 months. The new calculation is based on your previous usage and your current price plan. Any amount owing from the previous twelve months will be added on, and any government credits will be deducted and the resulting balance will be brought forward and divided by 12 months. A 10% contingency is added for Gas Equaliser payments to allow for changes in weather or other factors.

Due to the high increase in energy costs, Electric Ireland was obliged to increase electricity and gas prices in 2022. These price increases were not applied to your account at the time as the Equaliser payment method is based on a set monthly cost over a 12 month period. Your new Equaliser payment for the coming 12 months is calculated to include these price increases and any underpayments from last year.

Who can sign up to Equaliser?

Equaliser is available for our existing electricity or gas customers. You can sign up for Gas Equaliser or Electricity Equaliser online.

Equaliser is also available to new customers who bring their energy supply to us - have a look at our price plans. Simply choose Equaliser and your preferred payment date when switching to us for your Gas supply - and we'll set you up.

If you are switching your electricity supply to us online and wish to pay by Electricity Equaliser, we ask that you choose to pay by Direct Debit first.

Once you've received 3 bills from us, containing 3 actual electricity meter readings, (to help us calculate your monthly payment amount) you can sign up for Electricity Equaliser using our very short form. You won't need to enter your bank details again - we'll already have these set up for you.

You can read more about Electricity or Gas Equaliser here.

What are the benefits of Equaliser for me?

Equaliser is our fixed monthly direct debit payment option. Now you can split the cost of your annual electricity or gas bill into twelve equal monthly direct debit payment amounts. This gives you more control over your bill.

Three reasons to use Electricity or Gas Equaliser

1. With this payment option, you’ll have a fixed direct debit payment. This will be based on the previous year's usage at your address, calculated on today’s electricity or gas prices. We’ll also add a contingency of 10% on your usage to allow for any unexpected changes or a change in price over the year.
2. You get to select your preferred monthly direct debit payment date, between the 1st and 28th of a given month.
3. If there is any balance, owed to you or by you, this will be brought forward and spread evenly over your next twelve monthly payments.

Read more about Electricity and Gas Equaliser.

How will I find out what my monthly Equaliser payment amount is?

After you sign up for Equaliser, we’ll write to you to confirm your monthly payment amount.

Your monthly payment is based on the previous year’s usage at your address using today's electricity or gas prices. And to allow for any unexpected changes or a change in price over the year, a contingency of 10% will be added on to your usage.

Read more about Electricity or Gas Equaliser.

Is there a discount for Equaliser?

Yes - by signing up to Equaliser you can take advantage of our Direct Debit discount.

Read more about Electricity or Gas Equaliser and how it can help you manage your energy bill.

Can I choose the date for my monthly Electricity and/or Gas Equaliser direct debit payment?

Yes you can. When you sign up for Electricity or Gas Equaliser, you can select your preferred monthly direct debit payment date. The dates range from 1st to 28th of any given month.

Read more about Electricity or Gas Equaliser.

Will my meter be read as before when I’m on Equaliser?

Yes your meter will be read as usual if you are paying by Electricity and/or Gas Equaliser. And to avoid estimated bills, you can read your meter and use our online form to submit your meter reading.

You can also submit your electricity or gas meter reading using your account online. Sign up today and avail of the online billing discount.

Read more about Electricity or Gas Equaliser.

How is my monthly Electricity Equaliser and/or Gas Equaliser payment calculated?

We’ll calculate your total gas costs or total electricity costs for the year based on the following:

• Your previous gas and/or electricity usage
• Your gas and/or electricity price plan

We’ll also include a 10% contingency to allow for any gas and/or electricity price changes, changes in weather or other factors.

Your monthly payment is this total divided by 12.

Read more about Electricity or Gas Equaliser.

The equaliser amount on my bill is higher than I expected, what should I do?

Your Gas and/or Electricity Equaliser payment amount will be fixed from the date you signed up. However, your bills will vary for a number of reasons, including changing weather, holiday times and other factors.

After 12 months, your account will be reviewed. And any difference between the payments you made and the amount due on your bill will be brought forward to your following year’s Equaliser account.

You’ll then be given a new monthly payment amount.

Read more about Electricity or Gas Equaliser.

What happens if I miss a monthly direct debit Equaliser payment?

If you miss a payment, or if multiple direct debit payments are returned by the bank, this payment option will be removed from your account. And you will also lose your direct debit discount, if you have one.

Or, if you are finding it difficult to meet your monthly payments, or are unable to pay, please phone us on 1800 372 372. We‘ll be happy to discuss a payment arrangement with you.

Read more about Electricity or Gas Equaliser.

What happens if I opt out of Gas and/or Electricity Equaliser or close my account during the year?

If you opt out of Gas and/or Electricity Equaliser at any time, the amount due on your bill will become immediately due. You should also note that, as Equaliser is a Direct Debit payment option, your direct debit discount will no longer apply unless you opt to pay by direct debit on a new price plan.

If you close your account, we’ll send you a closing bill based on your final meter reading. Your final bill will then be collected in full by direct debit.

Read more about Electricity or Gas Equaliser.