Utilities
Shop Around For Deals 
Shop around for best deals (usually one year contract). Your best friends to get the best deals are switcher.ie and bonkers.ie
Bundling Utilities 
Bundling multiple utilities could be another trick. For example, many providers offer more savings when you bundle electricity and gas or maybe bundle your communications!.
Switch Providers
Switch your provider whenever your contract concludes. It is very typical that the best deals are available for new customers only (i.e., not for renewals).
Heading
Once you move to live in a new house, you need to set up your utilities. This guide provides an overview including, what’s available, and how to get them set up. You could be responsible for any or all of the following utilities
- Electricity
- Gas
- Communication (Internet and landline)
- Water
- Oil
- Mobile
- Refuse (rubbish)
Before moving in, ask what you should be responsible for and get as much information from the landlord or rental agency.
Electricity
Every residential place is always connected to electricity. Once you move to a new house
- Take note of the meter reading. Your landlord or agent should show you how to do so and confirm the reading as you move in.
- Go to switcher.ie and bonkers.ie to find your best deal. Most providers will allow you to complete the process online without having to call them in person. Technically, there is no difference between all providers except for how do they generate their electricity.
- Mark your calendar when your contract concludes and shop around close to this date.
TIPs:
Make sure you only cancel your connection when your contract finishes avoiding any cancelation penalties. Note that you usually need a 30-day cancelation notice.
Gas
Follow the same steps described in Electricity. Consider the possibility of Electricity and gas bundling.
Similar to electricity, the provider has no impact on the quality of the service. That is to say, pick the best deal for your pocket.
Internet (landline & TV)
In contrast to electricity, not every house is connected to the Internet. Additionally, not every provider provides service everywhere. You can always start your search journey at switcher.ie and bonkers.ie but as you proceed to the service provider website, you should be able to know more about the available connection specification.
Most, if not all, Internet packages come bundled with a phone line. Some packages may include FREE minutes to national and sometimes international destinations. If you feel this is important to you, check the details of every package carefully.
Most Internet service providers offer bundled packages that include TV, phone, and the Internet. If you are interested in all these services, bundling will usually save you a good sum of money every year.
Oil
Some houses use oil for heating. In this case, there is an oil tank in your garden. You need to fill in this tank regularly to ensure that your house is well-heated, especially during winter. You may also consider the following advice
- Have your boiler serviced at least once a year
- Avoid ordering small quantities of home heating oil
- Try to ensure you never to run out of home heating oil
- Turn down your heating thermostat
- Use a timer or programmable thermostat
- Keep radiators free from obstructions
- Seal and weather strip your doors and windows
TV license
Every residence in Ireland with television or equipment capable of receiving a television signal (for example an aerial, satellite dish, or cable) must have a television license. You must pay your TV license every year. The license fees can be paid online at An Post.
TV license inspectors travel throughout the country to check that you have a TV license. If you do not have a license you could face a fine of approximately €1000.
Rubbish (Refuse)
Rubbish collection (garbage/refuse) arrangements can vary from area to another. If you are living in an apartment complex, then the waste is usually included in your rent and the building (or estate) a waste collection point with large waste skips. In most house rentals, refuse is included in the rent. In some cases, the tenant may have to pay for the refuse (read your contract).
Depending on where you live, you may be asked to split your rubbish to
- Waste
- Food waste
- Recycle
- Glass (no lids)
Involved cost
Costs for bin charges vary but you should expect to pay 15-30 Eur per month. The cost variation is due to what is collected and allowances.
Rubbish collection is usually done once a week with recycle and rubbish alternating.
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