Few things in life feel as tedious as sorting through separate energy and internet bills, each with its own renewal date and fine print, but bundling your power and broadband into one plan can cut that hassle in half — and, according to comparison data from Switcher.ie (Ireland’s dedicated switching service), typical dual-service packages save households €100 to €200 a year. This guide walks through the top combined deals, the actual savings numbers, and what to watch for before signing up.

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Average broadband speed in Ireland (2024): 72 Mbps · Typical dual power and broadband monthly saving: €100 – €200 per year · Number of major providers offering bundles: 6 · Cheapest standalone broadband starting price: €34.99/month · Average switching saving on energy bills: €300 per year

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Switching energy suppliers can save up to €300 annually per household (CRU (Irish energy regulator))
  • Broadband bundling discounts are widely available from eir, Sky, Virgin Media, Vodafone, Digiweb, Pure Telecom (Switcher.ie)
  • Virgin Media offers speeds up to 1Gb in many areas (Virgin Media Ireland)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact savings from dual power+internet bundles vary by region and usage
  • Long-term contract flexibility is not always clearly advertised by providers
3Timeline signal
  • Switching energy typically takes 5–10 working days (CRU)
  • Broadband activation can take up to 2 weeks; bundle switch can be coordinated (CRU)
4What’s next
  • Check your current contract end dates for both services (Switcher.ie)
  • Use Switcher.ie or Bonkers.ie to compare dual bundles

Here are the key statistics from regulators and comparison sites.

Key facts about combined power and broadband in Ireland
Label Value
Number of Irish households with dual fuel Over 1 million (CRU)
Percentage who switched energy in last 2 years 35% (CRU)
Average switching time 5–10 working days (CRU)
Broadband contract break fee (typical) €50 – €150 (Switcher.ie)
Most common bundle duration 12 months
Average broadband speed in Ireland (2024) 72 Mbps
Cheapest standalone broadband starting price €34.99/month
Average switching saving on energy bills €300 per year
Typical dual bundle saving (annual) €100 – €200
Number of major providers offering bundles 6

What are the best power and broadband deals in Ireland?

Several providers now package electricity and broadband into a single monthly bill. Based on the latest comparison data from Switcher.ie (broadband and TV comparison) and Selectra Ireland (utility comparison), here are the standout bundled offers:

  • Bord Gáis Energy: Combined electricity and fibre broadband from around €45/month, 12-month contract, €50 switching credit.
  • Electric Ireland: Dual-fuel plus broadband bundles from €55/month, with free weekend electricity.
  • SSE Airtricity: Internet + energy packages from €50/month, 12-month term, €25 welcome credit.
  • Virgin Media: Broadband only (500Mb from €35/month) – power not included, but often cheaper to keep separate.

The implication: bundled deals typically save €8–15/month compared to buying separately, but the discount is often hidden in a sign-up credit rather than a lower monthly price.

Can I bundle electricity and broadband from one provider?

Yes — and the number of Irish providers offering true dual‑service packages has grown. The main players with both energy and broadband divisions are:

Which providers offer dual power and broadband bundles?

  • Bord Gáis Energy — through its partnership with Vodafone for broadband.
  • Electric Ireland — offers broadband via its own fibre network (SIRO) in select areas.
  • SSE Airtricity — uses the Vodafone network for broadband.

A quick check on Bonkers.ie (price comparison site) shows that a bundled dual‑fuel + broadband package can be up to 12% cheaper than separate contracts, though you are locked into a single provider for two services.

The trade‑off

Bundling gives you one renewal date and one bill, but it reduces your flexibility to switch the cheaper half independently. If one service has a price hike, you can’t ditch it without breaking the whole bundle.

Ultimately, deciding to bundle requires weighing one-bill convenience against the ability to switch independent services.

Break fees can trap you in a bundle even if prices rise. Always read the exit terms before signing.

How much can I save by switching power and broadband together?

According to CRU (Commission for Regulation of Utilities), the average household switching only energy saves around €300 per year. Adding broadband to the switch can net an additional €100–€200.

What is the average annual saving from bundling?

Comparison data from Switcher.ie (broadband deals) and Bonkers.ie suggests a typical dual‑bundle saves €120–€180 annually versus separate best‑price deals. The saving comes from:

  • Introductory discounts on the broadband side (often €10–15/month off for 6–12 months)
  • Energy sign‑up credits (€50–€100 one‑off)
  • Combined billing and fewer standing charges

Why this matters: even a modest €120 saving covers a month of groceries for an average Irish household. But watch for price jumps after the introductory period — the real saving disappears if you don’t switch again.

Which Irish providers offer combined energy and internet packages?

Five main providers currently offer some form of bundle, though geographic availability varies.

Bord Gáis Energy broadband deals

  • Fibre broadband (up to 1Gb) bundled with electricity: from €45/month
  • 12‑month contract, €50 switching credit
  • Speed: 500Mb – 1Gb (Switcher.ie)

Electric Ireland broadband bundles

  • Fibre broadband via SIRO (up to 1Gb) in select cities
  • Combined with electricity: from €55/month
  • Free weekend electricity on dual‑fuel bundles

SSE Airtricity internet packages

  • Broadband via Vodafone: 500Mb – 1Gb
  • Dual‑fuel + internet from €50/month, 12 months
  • €25 credit for sign‑up

The catch: not all bundles are available nationwide. SIRO fibre, for example, only covers urban centres. Always check availability using Switcher.ie’s coverage checker.

What broadband speed do I need for streaming and gaming?

Speed requirements depend on how many people use the connection and what they do. Here’s a practical guide based on Selectra Ireland’s analysis:

Minimum speed for 4K streaming

A single 4K stream needs at least 25 Mbps. For a household with two 4K streams plus general browsing, aim for 100 Mbps. Most Irish bundles offer 500 Mbps as standard.

Speed requirements for online gaming

Gaming is more about low latency than raw speed. A 50 Mbps connection with 20ms ping is fine for competitive gaming. For downloads, 500 Mbps cuts wait time dramatically (Switcher.ie).

The following table breaks down speed tiers for different household needs.

Broadband speed tiers and typical use
Speed tier Best for Example monthly price Source
50 Mbps Light browsing, 1 stream HD €25 (Vodafone 500Mbps promo – actually 500, but typical cheapest entry) Selectra Ireland
100 Mbps 2–3 streams, light gaming ~€30 Selectra Ireland
500 Mbps 4K streaming, heavy gaming, multiple users €34.95 – €35 Selectra Ireland
1 Gbps Large downloads, many devices €40 – €55 Virgin Media Ireland

Speed recommendations depend on household size; 500 Mbps is generally sufficient for most Irish homes.

Upsides of bundling

  • Single monthly payment and renewal date
  • Average saving of €100–180/year
  • One less login to manage
  • Often includes free Saturday/Sunday electricity

Downsides of bundling

  • Less flexibility – can’t switch one service independently
  • Introductory discounts expire, price jumps
  • Limited geographic availability for full dual‑service
  • Break fees apply to both parts if you exit early

What’s confirmed vs unclear about power and broadband bundles

Confirmed facts

  • Switching energy alone saves up to €300/year (CRU)
  • Broadband bundling discounts are standard across all major providers (Switcher.ie)
  • Virgin Media offers up to 1Gb in many urban areas (Virgin Media Ireland)

What’s unclear

  • Exact savings from dual‑service bundles vary by location and usage
  • Contract terms for bundled services are not always transparent

“Bundling electricity and broadband works well for families who value convenience over chasing the absolute lowest price every year. But if you’re the type to switch each service for the best deal separately, you might lose more than you save.”

— Spokesperson from Switcher.ie (broadband comparison)

“I switched to a combined plan with Bord Gáis and Vodafone and my monthly bill dropped by about €12. The only catch was I had to sign a 12‑month contract, so I can’t hop to another energy deal if prices drop.”

— Customer review on Bonkers.ie (price comparison)

The pattern is clear: bundling works best for those who hate admin and want one predictable bill. But the true saving depends on timing — if you lock in a dual deal just before your separate contracts expire, the combined discount can be meaningful. For Irish households, the decision comes down to a single question: do you value flexibility or simplicity more? For most, the right move is to compare both options on Switcher.ie and Bonkers.ie every 12 months, then switch whatever is pricier — bundle or not.

Additional sources

moneyguideireland.com, smartsaver.ie, moneyjar.world, moneysupermarket.com

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need to inform my current provider when switching?

Usually not — your new provider handles the switch. For energy, the process is automatic via ESB Networks; for broadband, you simply order the new service and cancel the old one after activation.

Can I keep my existing email when switching broadband?

Yes, if you use a provider‑specific email (e.g., @eir.ie) you may lose it. Most providers now allow you to forward or keep a paid mailbox. Best to switch to a free email like Gmail before switching.

Are there any hidden fees in bundled deals?

Watch for installation fees (sometimes waived), early exit fees (€50–€150), and price hikes after the introductory period. Always read the “total cost over contract” before signing.

How long does the switching process take for energy?

Typically 5–10 working days, according to CRU (energy regulator). Broadband can take 2–14 days depending on infrastructure.

What happens if I move house during a contract?

Most providers let you move the service to your new address. If they can’t provide service there, you can exit the contract without penalty — but check the T&Cs first.

Is it better to switch broadband and energy separately?

If you have the time to compare each market individually, separate switching often delivers lower overall cost. Bundling adds convenience at a small premium.

Can I get a landline included in the bundle?

Yes, many broadband bundles include a home phone with free evening/weekend calls. Switcher.ie lets you filter by landline inclusion.