The Electricity Association of Ireland (EAI) has published a guide for consumers to help them understand and reduce their household energy use amid what it said are "ongoing concerns about energy affordability".
To help reduce costs, the guide encourages consumers to make greater use of smart meters, shift electricity use away from peak hours, and consider smart tariffs.
The 'Energy Bill Guide' also aims to increase customers' understanding of electricity costs by breaking down the various components of bills, including unit rates, standing charges, levies and VAT, as well as how consumption is measured in kilowatt-hours.
In addition, it outlines how factors such as insulation and appliances affect energy usage.
The EAI said increased use of smart meters, which have already been installed in more than two million Irish homes, can enable access to time-of-use tariffs - where electricity is cheaper at off-peak times such as overnight.
It also advises shifting electricity use away from peak hours (typically between 5pm and 7pm) to help households reduce costs, "particularly if they're using high-energy appliances such as showers, hobs, ovens or tumble dryers".
The guide also points to newer options for consumers, including smart tariffs, electric vehicle plans and microgeneration schemes, which it said "allow households with solar panels to earn money by exporting excess electricity back to the grid".
The EAI is an industry body with members including Bord Gáis Energy, Ecopower Supply, Electric Ireland, Energia, Flogas, Pinergy, Prepay Power, SSE Airtricity, and Yuno Energy.
The association said its guidance comes "amid ongoing concerns about energy affordability, with Ireland continuing to face exposure to severe global fossil fuel price volatility, particularly due to the country’s major reliance on imported natural gas for electricity generation.
The full guide, prepared in conjunction with the National Adult Literacy Agency, can be downloaded on the EAI website (www.eaireland.com).
EAI Chief Executive Dara Lynott said suppliers are concerned about the current conflict in the Middle East in relation to energy costs and that they are "working as hard as possible to shield customers from global energy volatility.
"Ireland remains exposed to international fossil fuel price fluctuations, particularly due to its continued reliance on imported natural gas, accounting for up to 50% of all Irish electricity generation in any given year," he added.
Mr Lynott said the "most effective long-term solution to this dependence is the accelerated electrification of the Irish economy including industry, transport and heating combined with the rapid deployment of domestic renewable generation".
