Here is how that figure is built and how to reduce it.
What makes up a gas bill
A domestic gas bill has two charges plus VAT:
- Unit rate — what you pay per kWh of gas you burn.
- Standing charge — a fixed daily fee for the connection, payable regardless of usage.
VAT on domestic gas is 9% and is normally included in the rates suppliers quote.
Current gas unit rates
| Source | Band / product | Unit rate |
|---|---|---|
| SEAI reference (Band D2) | ≥20 GJ/yr heating homes | 13.00 c/kWh (collected, 2026-07-01) |
| Typical household rate | Band D2 equivalent | 13.00 c/kWh (manual, 2026-04-01) |
| Bord Gáis Energy | Standard plan | 12.36 c/kWh (collected, 2026-10-11) |
Most gas-heated homes fall in Band D2 (annual use of 20 GJ or more), so that SEAI reference rate is the most representative.
Source: SEAI Domestic Fuel Cost Comparison, source date 1 July 2026 (automatically collected) Source: Bord Gáis Energy, source date 11 October 2026 (automatically collected)Note how much lower the gas unit rate is than electricity — gas costs roughly a third of the per-kWh electricity rate. That is why gas remains a common heating fuel, even though a heat pump can still beat it on cost per unit of useful heat.
An illustrative energy-only calculation
For an illustrative household using 11,000 kWh/year, energy charges at the published reference rate are €1,430 per year. This is usage multiplied by the rate, with cents converted to euro. It is not a measured national average bill.
Add your supplier’s standing charge and applicable levies, then account for VAT according to how your quote presents its prices. Avoid adding VAT twice to VAT-inclusive rates. Discounts and time-of-use periods can change the result. Use your own annual statement for a useful comparison.
Source: SEAI Domestic Fuel Cost Comparison, source date 1 July 2026 (automatically collected)How your usage compares
| Household type | Typical annual gas use |
|---|---|
| Apartment / small home | 5,000–8,000 kWh |
| Average gas-heated home | ~11,000 kWh |
| Large or poorly insulated home | 15,000–25,000 kWh |
Heating dominates this consumption, so the biggest savings come from using less heat — through insulation, controls and habits — rather than just chasing unit rates.
Cutting your gas bill
- Switch supplier: discounts off standard gas rates are common for new customers. Compare every plan at the CRU’s compareenergy.ie.
- Turn the thermostat down 1°C — typically a 5–10% cut in heating energy.
- Insulate — attic and wall insulation are the highest-impact upgrades. See our attic insulation guide and the wider list of ways to reduce your heating bills.
- Service your boiler annually to keep it running efficiently.
- Consider a heat pump — over time it can beat gas on running cost per unit of heat. Compare in our heat pump vs oil running costs guide.
Gas vs other heating fuels
Because gas is billed per kWh, it is easy to compare against other fuels on a like-for-like basis. Our reduce heating bills article includes a full fuel cost-per-kWh table covering gas, oil, wood pellets and heat-pump electricity.
Next steps
If your gas bills feel high, start with a supplier comparison (the same CRU tool covers gas) and then look at insulation. Many upgrades attract SEAI support — check your grant eligibility before you commit.