Some good news on the electricity front.With people losing jobs or taking wage cuts, paying utility bills is yet another worry on the list. A very welcome email was sent from Electric Ireland to its’ customers last week detailing price reductions and other measures to help people around this time. Suspended disconnections Firstly, they have suspended disconnections and have urged people concerned about paying their bill to engage with them at an early stage and they promise an understanding ear and that they will work with them to find a solution. Price Reductions Rate cuts announced earlier this year will take effect this week (1st April), at which time, electricity unit rates will be reduced by 2.5% and gas by 11.5%. That will mean that people who are spending more time at home will be less impacted by energy bills than otherwise would have been the case. The change to daylight savings should also help. Staying Away Electric Ireland is also conscious of social distancing so have suspended face-to-face sales activity, and technicians will only come to your house with your agreement to repair a fault or for an arranged outdoor installation. Also, meter readings are not being taken where a reader would have to enter a home. They will estimate customers’ usage for the foreseeable future in those cases and any customer who wishes to receive an accurate bill can submit their actual meter reading over the phone or online. Emergency Credit In addition to this, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities has announced a temporary increase to the PAYG Gas emergency credit for all PAYG customers. Emergency credit will increase from €10 to €100, allowing customers to maintain gas supply for a longer period of time, even if they cannot continue to purchase credit as regularly as usual. These are all good measures during this uncertain time to assure people that help is at hand. |
