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Irish households are feeling the pinch as the country is hit by rising living costs that show no signs of abating.
Fuel, food and energy costs are all hitting record highs – which is hitting people’s pockets hard.
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Energy bills are soaring as a tsunami of price hikes from suppliers has seen costs rise at a dizzying pace.
At current prices, a busy day at home can quickly add up to €10 to your electricity bill – and that’s before you even turn on the heat.
The fear of leaving the dreaded dive is all too real these days – as just two hours will set you back €2.58.
Food prices were rising and so were the costs of keeping produce at home.
The cost of running a fridge can be close to €10 a month or more.
Washing can increase energy costs – whether it’s washing clothes, dishes, or yourself.
A dishwasher costs 65c for a standard 65º cycle, while a washing machine costs 43c for a standard 40º cotton wash.
And drying can be expensive, as 10 minutes of use of the hair dryer will cost 15c, while a spin of one hour from the tumble dryer will hit households back to 1.29 euros.
Cooking can increase bills and costs €1.08 per hour, while 10 minutes of using the kettle costs 18c.
A five-minute electric shower costs about 34c.
Daragh Cassidy, of Bonkers.ie, said it is important to note that costs can vary greatly depending on the energy efficiency of the equipment used.
He warned: “Many modern appliances – especially washing machines, dishwashers, dishwashers and TVs – are more efficient than older models, but ratings will help people choose the most efficient model.”
“The grades, which are mandatory, range from A to G, with A being the most effective.”
INCREASED COSTS
Working from home has many benefits, but extra costs are not one of them.
Having a computer that works for eight hours a day will cost 43c, while a router for internet access is an extra 8c a day.
Therefore, working remotely for a month can add about 8.60 euros to the electricity tab – or about 103.2 euros a year.
Four hours of television will cost 17c.
Ten minutes of microwave use will cost 6c, while five minutes of toaster use will cost 5c.
Daragh urged people to understand what household appliances use energy and run their bills.
He also advised consumers to shop around for the best deals as switching can lead to discounts of up to 30 percent.
SHOCKED
He said: “With gas and electricity prices at record levels, I think many households are in for a surprise when they receive their electricity bills in the coming months.
“It is more important than ever for households to understand which electrical appliances use the most energy so they know how to best reduce their costs.
“If you have a smart meter installed and signed up for a smart payment, look for ways to shift your usage to times when energy is cheaper.
“Those with a Night Saver meter can save up to 40 percent or more of their electricity if they use it at night.
“And definitely look at change. Discounts of up to 30 percent or more are available year-round for customers switching to a new retailer. “
The analysis was carried out using Electric Ireland’s average 24 hour urban rate of 0.43 per kWh. VAT from October 2022 – but the quality of some suppliers is much higher.
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