SSE Airtricity and Bord Gáis Energy are two of Ireland's three largest energy suppliers, between them serving more than a million Irish households. If you are considering switching to either supplier — or weighing up which of the two offers better value right now — this comparison covers tariff pricing, discounts, dual fuel deals, smart meter options, and what each supplier is best suited to.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | SSE Airtricity | Bord Gáis Energy | |---------|---------------|-----------------| | Electricity supply | Yes | Yes | | Gas supply | Yes | Yes | | Dual fuel | Yes — discount available | Yes — discount available | | Green electricity | Yes — renewable options | Yes — green tariff available | | Smart meter tariffs | Yes — night rate / TOU | Yes — night rate available | | New customer discount | Typically 20–30% | Typically 20–30% | | Online account management | App + web portal | App + web portal |
Tariff Pricing — Who Is Cheaper?
Tariff prices change regularly as both suppliers adjust rates in response to wholesale energy costs. The only reliable way to know which is cheaper for your specific usage today is to run a comparison with your own kWh figure.
For electricity, SSE Airtricity and Bord Gáis Energy tend to compete closely on price. Their standard unit rates are usually within 1–3 cent/kWh of each other. New customer discounts (applied for the first 12 months) are often the deciding factor — whoever has the deeper discount in a given month wins on annual cost.
For gas, Bord Gáis Energy has historically been a strong competitor on gas pricing — partly due to their heritage as a gas infrastructure business. However, SSE Airtricity has narrowed the gap in recent years.
New Customer Discounts
Both suppliers offer new customer discounts of roughly 20–30% off the unit rate for the first 12 months. The exact percentage fluctuates, and promotional rates are updated frequently.
Key things to watch:
- The discount is applied to the unit rate only — the standing charge is not discounted
- After 12 months, you revert to the standard rate, which is significantly higher
- Both suppliers allow you to switch away at any point, usually without exit fees
Set a reminder for 11 months from your switch date so you can review again before the discount expires.
Dual Fuel Deals
Both SSE Airtricity and Bord Gáis Energy offer a dual fuel discount when you take both electricity and gas from the same supplier — typically an additional 5–10% reduction.
When dual fuel makes sense:
- Your electricity and gas bills are both significant
- The combined discount from one supplier beats the sum of two separate best-in-market deals
- You prefer a single bill and account to manage
When it does not:
- A specialist electricity-only supplier (like Community Power or Pinergy) beats both on electricity, making a split deal cheaper overall
- One supplier has a much stronger gas rate than the other, making a hybrid approach the better value
Use GoSwitch's dual fuel comparison to check both options side by side.
Smart Meter Tariffs
If your home has an ESB Networks smart meter, both suppliers offer time-of-use tariffs with reduced night rates.
SSE Airtricity offers a night-rate tariff that gives a lower unit rate during overnight hours (typically 11pm–8am or 11pm–9am). This can be valuable for EV charging, heat pumps, or running appliances overnight.
Bord Gáis Energy also offers a night-rate tariff. The overnight discount window and rate varies — check the GoSwitch comparison tool to see the current rate for each.
Not sure if night rate would save you money? See our guide to night-rate electricity in Ireland or use our smart meter upload tool to see your exact saving based on real usage data.
Green Energy
SSE Airtricity has a long track record in renewable energy in Ireland and offers 100% renewable electricity tariffs backed by Irish wind and hydro generation.
Bord Gáis Energy also offers a green electricity tariff, sourced from renewable generators.
If environmental credentials are important to you, both are credible options. For the most independent renewable supply, Community Power — a not-for-profit renewable co-operative — is also worth comparing on price.
Customer Service
Both suppliers operate phone, email, and online chat support. Customer experience is broadly similar at both — billing queries are handled similarly, and both have invested in digital account management tools in recent years.
Practical differences:
- Bord Gáis Energy has a well-regarded web portal with detailed billing breakdowns
- SSE Airtricity's app is frequently updated and generally well-reviewed
- Both have been subject to CRU (Commission for Regulation of Utilities) customer service standards and are held to the same complaint resolution timelines
SSE Airtricity vs Bord Gáis — Which Should You Choose?
Choose SSE Airtricity if:
- Their current new customer discount makes them cheaper for your usage
- You want a 100% green electricity tariff from a large established supplier
- You value their smart meter night-rate tariff for overnight EV charging or heating
Choose Bord Gáis Energy if:
- Their current rate is lower for your specific kWh
- You want gas supply with a strong track record in the gas market
- Their dual fuel deal beats the alternatives when you add electricity and gas together
The honest answer: neither is automatically better. The cheapest option depends on the current discount each supplier is running, your annual kWh, and whether you are on electricity only, gas only, or dual fuel. Run the comparison with your own numbers.
How to Switch
- Run a comparison with your annual kWh and fuel type
- Identify the cheapest option — it may be SSE Airtricity, Bord Gáis, or a different supplier entirely
- Click through to the supplier's website and complete the online sign-up (10–15 minutes)
- Your current supplier is notified automatically — you do not need to contact them
- The switch completes within 15–21 working days; your supply is never interrupted
Switching Irish energy supplier is free, fast, and your supply is never interrupted. The only question is whether the saving justifies 15 minutes of your time — for most households saving €200–€400 a year, it does.