Electric Ireland is Ireland's largest energy supplier with over 1.2 million residential customers. Yuno Energy is one of the country's newest entrants. So when you're comparing the two, you're weighing the established market leader against a newer challenger that's actively competing on price. Here's the full breakdown.
Quick Summary
| | Yuno Energy | Electric Ireland | |---|---|---| | Cheapest electricity (unit rate) | 28.27c/kWh | ~29–33c/kWh | | Standing charge | 60.5c/day | ~65–72c/day | | Smart meter tariff | Yes | Yes | | Night rate available | Yes (D/N plan) | Yes | | Green electricity | No | Yes (options available) | | Contract | 12 months | 12 months (discount plans) |
Electricity Tariffs Compared
Yuno Energy Variable Discount Plan (24hr)
Yuno's flagship plan for standard meter customers:
- Unit rate: 28.27c/kWh (ex VAT)
- Standing charge: €220.97/year (60.5c/day)
- Estimated annual bill: €1,554 inc VAT (4,200 kWh)
Electric Ireland Standard Plans
Electric Ireland's equivalent standard electricity plans typically carry unit rates in the 29–35c/kWh range depending on the plan, with standing charges around €240–€265/year. New customer discounts (typically 20–25% for 12 months) bring the effective first-year rate down significantly.
For a direct comparison at 4,200 kWh, Yuno's Variable Discount Plan tends to come in €50–€150/year cheaper than Electric Ireland's discounted first-year rate, with the gap closing or reversing once Electric Ireland's discount expires.
Night Rate Plans
Both suppliers offer day/night tariffs for households with night-rate storage heaters, EV chargers, or other overnight loads.
Yuno D/N plan:
- Day rate: 29.64c/kWh
- Night rate: 17.13c/kWh
- Standing charge: €277/year
Electric Ireland's night rate (called the "Night Boost" tariff) has a similar day rate but the night rate and standing charge vary — check the live comparison on GoSwitch for the most up-to-date figures.
Smart Meter Tariffs
Both suppliers offer smart meter plans with time-of-use pricing. Yuno's Variable Smart Discount starts at a day rate of 29.82c/kWh with a peak rate (5pm–7pm) of 33.14c/kWh. Electric Ireland's smart tariffs vary — use GoSwitch's compare tool to see current rates side by side.
What Electric Ireland Does Better
Brand trust and track record: Electric Ireland has been serving Irish homes for decades. Customer service data, complaint resolution times, and general reliability reviews are well established.
Green electricity options: Electric Ireland offers specific green electricity plans. Yuno's current tariff range does not include labelled renewable options.
Coverage: Electric Ireland serves the full national network. Yuno does too, but as a newer supplier, the support infrastructure is less mature.
What Yuno Energy Does Better
Price on standard tariffs: For a straightforward 24hr electricity plan, Yuno's unit rate of 28.27c/kWh and standing charge of €220.97/year are among the more competitive in the market.
Dynamic pricing: Yuno's Standard Dynamic Plan is unique in the Irish market — it tracks wholesale electricity prices at 30-minute intervals, which can deliver significant savings for households with home batteries, smart appliances, or flexible EV charging.
Lower standing charge: Yuno's standing charge on the 24hr plan (€220.97/year) is noticeably lower than Electric Ireland's equivalent, which matters for households with low or average consumption.
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Yuno Energy if:
- Your priority is the lowest-cost standard plan without green labelling
- You have a smart meter and want time-of-use pricing
- You're interested in dynamic/wholesale-linked tariffs
Choose Electric Ireland if:
- You want green electricity
- You value a long-established supplier with a deep customer service infrastructure
- You want to bundle gas and electricity with one of Ireland's most recognised brands
The Verdict
For pure price on a standard metered connection, Yuno's Variable Discount Plan is competitive and often cheaper than Electric Ireland's standard rates. Once you factor in Electric Ireland's new-customer discounts for the first 12 months, the gap narrows — but Yuno often stays ahead on the standing charge.
The best way to settle this for your actual household is to run a live comparison on GoSwitch using your real kWh figure.