From 15 October, the Airtricity Standard electricity prices will increase by 4.7% and the Airtricity Standard gas prices will increase by 8.5%. Airtricity customers on standard gas and electricity tariffs can continue to benefit from lower-cost options against standard rates if they choose to pay by Direct Debit and receive their bill by eBilling. For Airtricity customers on introductory offers, their percentage unit rate discounts against Airtricity’s standard prices remain unaffected; however their actual unit rates will increase

Around 370,000 domestic electricity customers and around 110,000 domestic gas customers will be affected. Of these, around 92% are availing of a minimum 3% discount against Airtricity standard electricity and gas unit rates by choosing Airtricity’s lower-cost direct debit discount, with 60% of these customers availing of a 4% discount against standard prices by choosing debit discount with eBilling. Customers on Airtricity introductory rates are availing of higher discounts against standard rates.

Around 92% of Airtricity customers are availing of a minimum 3% discount against Airtricity standard electricity and gas unit rates. From 15 October, Airtricity’s average bill for electricity will be €1,127 and its average bill for gas will be €888 (based on typical annual consumption, 3% direct debit discount and including VAT). This represents an average weekly increase of €0.96 for electricity and an average weekly increase of €1.33 for gas. Dual fuel customers already paying by direct debit can save an additional €0.37 per week if they choose Airtricity’s lowest-cost direct debit and eBilling option to avail of a 4% discount against standard rates, equivalent to an average annual saving of €19 on their energy bills.

From 15 October, Airtricity’s average annual bill for an electricity-only customer on a 14% introductory unit rate discount will be €1,017. This represents an average weekly increase of €0.88. An average annual bill for a dual fuel customer on a 17% gas unit rate discount with a 6% electricity unit rate discount will be €1,871. This represents an average weekly increase €0.95 for electricity and €1.15 for gas.

Airtricity is increasing its prices on 15 October 2012 rather than on 1 October 2012 so as to be able to inform all its customers that their prices are changing 30 days in advance of the price change taking effect, in accordance with CER guidelines.

There are six main ways that Airtricity is helping its customers manage rising energy prices:

• first, Airtricity is the only energy provider to offer unit rate discounts to customers on its standard rates who choose lower-cost payment options such as paying by Direct Debit and receiving their bills by eBill;
• second, Airtricity supports customers in difficulty by providing tailor-made payment arrangements to help them pay for the energy they use in a way that suits their circumstances;
• third, Airtricity is not increasing its electricity and gas prices at this time for customers on prepayment meters, building on the company’s ongoing commitment to minimise the impact of price increases on vulnerable customers most affected by the current difficult economic climate;
• fourth, Airtricity expects to complete the installation of at least a further 5,000 prepayment meters in the next 12 months, adding to the over 3,500 pay-as-you-go meters which the company has already installed;
• fifth, Airtricity is continuing to build on its work with consumer advocacy bodies such as the Society of St Vincent de Paul and MABS (Money Advice and Budgeting Service) to assist vulnerable customers in an environment of rising energy prices;
• and sixth, Airtricity is working with customers to save energy, reduce fuel demand and substantially cut heating costs by providing discounted offers on energy-saving products and services to improve the thermal efficiency of homes, replace inefficient heating systems and maximise the efficiency of existing home heating systems.

Customers who would like to find out more about the ways in which we can assist them in managing their energy costs can contact our Customer Service team on 1850 40 40 70.

Changes to Airtricity’s electricity prices are exclusive of changes in the PSO Levy which is increasing to €2.63 per month (including VAT) on 1 October 2012. The PSO Levy applies to all electricity customers under legislation and is charged to all electricity customers regardless of meter type and energy supplier. It is designed to support the national policy objectives of security of energy supply, the use of indigenous fuels such as peat, and the use of renewable energy sources in electricity generation.