Irish homeowners warned as hidden home issues could be costing hundreds on energy bills
Experts reveal the common household issues pushing up energy costs - and how to fix them
As everyday costs continue to climb across fuel, food and essential living expenses, a new report from the ESRI found that Ireland had the eighth highest electricity prices in Europe in 2024 when taxes and supports were included.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities also highlights how annual household electricity bills could go up by between €59 and €106 by 2029 and 2030.
As electricity bills increase, Jamie Griffen, Director of Cork Electrical, has warned that outdated or inefficient home electrics could be silently adding to the financial strain.
"Many homeowners don’t realise that underlying electrical issues can quietly increase energy usage over time," said Jamie.
"Older wiring, overloaded circuits and inefficient systems can all lead to wasted electricity, meaning you could be paying more each month without even knowing it. Identifying and addressing these issues early can make a significant difference to both safety and long-term energy costs."
To help homeowners take control of their energy use, Jamie has set out a simple checklist to assess whether a property is prepared for rising energy costs.
10-Point Energy Readiness Checklist
1. Check the Age of Your Wiring
If your home is over 30–40 years old and hasn’t been updated, ageing wiring may be inefficient, unsafe and unable to handle modern electrical demand.
2. Upgrade Your Fuse Board
Older fuse boards often lack modern safety features and struggle with today’s usage levels, making them less efficient and more prone to electrical faults.
3. Reduce Reliance on Extension Leads
Frequent use of extension leads can overload circuits and indicate your home doesn’t have enough properly distributed sockets for modern living.
4. Switch to Energy-efficient Lighting (LED)
Replacing traditional bulbs with LED lighting can significantly reduce electricity consumption, delivering immediate savings while maintaining the same level of brightness.
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5. Assess Your Home’s Energy Rating
Homes with lower energy ratings typically consume more electricity. This leads to higher running costs and reduced efficiency compared to properties with modernised systems.
6. Monitor for Signs of Electrical Inefficiency
Flickering lights, buzzing sockets or inconsistent performance can signal underlying electrical issues that may be wasting energy and increasing your bills.
7. Optimise Appliance Usage
Using appliances efficiently, avoiding standby mode and running them at appropriate times, i.e., night time, can help reduce costly electricity usage.
8. Consider Smart Controls and Timers
Smart devices and timers allow better control over energy consumption, helping to reduce waste by ensuring electricity is only used when needed.
9. Plan for Future Electrical Demand
Modern homes use significantly more devices than in the past. This means your electrical system needs to be capable of supporting increased demand safely and efficiently.
10. Book a Professional Electrical Inspection
A qualified electrician can identify inefficiencies, highlight safety concerns and recommend upgrades to improve performance, compliance and long-term cost savings.
Long-term Savings
According to Jamie, homes that fail multiple points on this checklist are more likely to experience higher running costs and increased electrical strain, particularly as energy demands continue to grow.
While some upgrades may involve an upfront investment, such as house rewiring, they can deliver significant savings over time by improving efficiency, reducing waste and preventing more serious electrical issues from developing.
In many cases, electrical upgrades also form part of wider home improvements, helping to future-proof properties and improve overall comfort.
"Homeowners can offset some of these costs through grant schemes that support energy upgrades and other essential home improvements.," Jamie says, "They’re not always labelled specifically for rewiring, but these grants can contribute towards electrical work needed as part of broader upgrades."
Jamie also stresses the importance of using a qualified, REC-registered electrician when carrying out any inspection or upgrade work. Professional testing and certification not only ensure compliance with current safety standards, but also provide peace of mind that your home’s electrical system is operating safely and efficiently.
As energy costs remain uncertain, Jamie says that,
"Taking steps to assess and improve your home’s electrical system could make a big difference, both in terms of safety and long-term savings."