Energy · Retention offers
How to get a retention offer from your energy supplier
Irish energy suppliers often have better prices for customers who ask, especially customers who are out of contract or have just had a price increase. Ask in writing, with a competing price in hand, and compare the offer on your own usage before you accept it.
.jpg#Licensing){kind=link}
Let Cara do it
Emails your supplier for their best price to keep you, and prices your usage with the other suppliers.
How to do it yourself
- 1Get your numbers from your bill
Your plan, unit rate, standing charge, yearly usage in kWh, and contract end date. Out of contract means no exit fee and the most leverage.
- 2Get a competing price
Check the cheapest price for your usage on a CRU-accredited comparison site (bonkers.ie, switcher.ie or powertoswitch.ie). Note the supplier, unit rate and yearly cost.
- 3Ask your supplier to keep you, in writing
Ask for the loyalty or retention team. Give the competing yearly cost and ask for their best offer in writing: unit rate, standing charge, discount and how long it lasts, exit fee.
- 4Compare the yearly cost, not the discount
Unit rate × your kWh, plus the standing charge, minus the discount for as long as it lasts. Put both offers through the same sum.
- 5Take the better one
Stay on the new rate (check it's on your account) or switch: the new supplier does the work, supply isn't interrupted, and there's a cooling-off period.
Hi, I'm a [supplier] customer on [your plan], account number [number]. I've had your notice of the price increase from [date]. I'm comparing suppliers, and for my usage [other supplier] would cost about €[amount] a year. Before I decide, could you tell me in writing the best rate you can offer to keep me: the unit rate, the standing charge, any discount and how long it lasts, and any exit fee? Thanks, [Your name]
- Discounts that only last 12 months: the rate after that is what you'll pay next year.
- A higher discount on a higher unit rate. Compare the yearly cost on your usage, not the percentage.
- Exit fees if you're mid-way through a fixed-term contract. There's no fee at the end of one.
- Conditions on the price, like paperless billing or direct debit.
Or let Cara do it
- 1Reads your bill: plan, unit rate, usage and contract end date.
- 2Emails your supplier for their best price to keep you, and prices your usage with the other suppliers.
- 3Tells you plainly which is cheaper. Nothing changes until you say YES, and you accept any new contract yourself.
Nothing is switched, ordered or paid for without your YES. Cara never asks for passwords or card details.
What people ask
Do Irish energy suppliers give retention offers?
Many customers report being offered a better rate or a credit when they ask, especially after a price increase or at the end of a contract. It isn't guaranteed and offers vary by customer.
Is it better to switch than to ask?
Sometimes. New-customer prices are often the cheapest on the market, so compare. Asking first costs nothing and gives you a second number to weigh.
What will Cara publish about offers?
Once Cara has asked on behalf of enough customers, this page will show what each supplier offered, as counts and ranges, never single anecdotes.
Related
Coming up
- ECB rate decisionECB & mortgages →
- Pay & File deadline (ROS)Tax back
- ECB rate decisionECB & mortgages →
- ECB rate decisionECB & mortgages →
Sources
Figures are the supplier's own announcement, or the national press reporting it, as linked. Your own cost depends on your plan and usage; the calculator works it out from your bill.