Hundreds of thousands of Irish households are currently behind on their energy bills. Maybe you’re trying to deal with both electricity and gas arrears?
Better
Help
(with)
Electricity
And
Gas
Arrears
Struggling with energy debt?
People and families who depend on lower incomes are hurt the most by high energy prices. BHEAGA gives you clear, independent figures so you know exactly what’s reasonable to pay — and can take back control.
Example: Weekly Energy Budget
€68.22
Couple, 3 children (2 primary & 1 secondary)
Electricity
€32.79
Gas / Home Heating
€24.69
Includes per-child additions
+€10.74/wk
THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM
Are you one of these numbers?
315,322
Electricity accounts currently in arrears*
178,443
Gas accounts currently in arrears*
190,606
Electricity accounts in arrears for over 3 months*
149,162
Gas accounts in arrears for over 3 months*
Is your electricity or gas account one of those in arrears for more than three months? Maybe you’ve been struggling to keep up with one or even both of those bills for that long… or longer?
* Source: Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU)
Better
Help
(with)
Electricity
And
Gas
Arrears
Energy companies are big. You shouldn’t face them alone.
In financial terms, energy companies are big and powerful, while those on lower incomes are small — or beag in Irish. bheaga.ie is especially here to help those “financially small” people and families — muintir bheaga — currently struggling with electricity and gas arrears, with further higher prices expected in 2026.
Confusing bills & spiralling arrears
Energy debt piles up fast. Between estimated bills, increased prices tariffs, and unaffordable payment plans offered by Suppliers, it’s hard to know where you really stand.
Energy debt piles up fast. Between estimated bills, increased prices tariffs, and unaffordable payment plans offered by Suppliers, it’s hard to know where you really stand.
No clear guideline on what’s fair
What should a household of your size actually spend on electricity and gas/home heating each week?
What should a household of your size actually spend on electricity and gas/home heating each week?
Every household is different
A single adult’s needs are very different from a family with four children. Your energy costs budget should reflect your actual household.
A single adult’s needs are very different from a family with four children. Your energy costs budget should reflect your actual household.
who we help
Helping Irish households take control of energy costs
Whether you’re a single adult, a couple, or a family with children, BHEAGA calculates your personalised weekly energy allowance based on official Irish data.
Single Adults
Couples
One-parent families
Two-parent families
Electricity customers
Gas customers
Kerosene Customers
Customers who need an affordable plan
THE METHODOLOGY
How is the reasonable amount decided?
That decision involves the Ministers for Justice, Finance and Social Protection in consultation with the Central Statistics Office and the Insolvency Service of Ireland — an independent body established under Irish law (Personal Insolvency Act 2012) which prepares and issues guidelines as to what are reasonable living expenses for people who have debts. These guidelines are also informed by the Minimum Essential Standard of Living research published from within St Vincent de Paul.
ISI Reasonable Living Expenses
Official guidelines from the Insolvency Service of Ireland, established under the Personal Insolvency Act 2012. This Act defines “insolvent” as meaning that somebody who owes money is unable to pay that money in full when it falls due. If you are in arrears on your Electricity or Gas arrears, then that’s you! So, why not use our calculator to find out what’s reasonable to pay to your energy supplier in your family circumstances?
Official guidelines from the Insolvency Service of Ireland, established under the Personal Insolvency Act 2012. This Act defines “insolvent” as meaning that somebody who owes money is unable to pay that money in full when it falls due. If you are in arrears on your Electricity or Gas arrears, then that’s you! So, why not use our calculator to find out what’s reasonable to pay to your energy supplier in your family circumstances?
* “reasonable” also extends to your usage. BHEAGA acknowledges that our customers are contractually liable for all energy consumed and therefore encourages our customers to use energy and energy equipment responsibly and efficiently to ensure the sustainability of payment plans based on what our customers can reasonably afford.
Vincentian MESL Research Centre
Minimum Essential Standard of Living research published from within St Vincent de Paul, informing what households need to live with dignity.
Minimum Essential Standard of Living research published from within St Vincent de Paul, informing what households need to live with dignity.
CSO Median Gas Bill Data
The latest median annual residential gas bill available from the Central Statistics Office.
The latest median annual residential gas bill available from the Central Statistics Office.
Independent Energy Comparisons
Cross-referenced with independent energy price comparison services for current market accuracy.
Cross-referenced with independent energy price comparison services for current market accuracy.
how it works
Your personalised figure in 3 simple steps
Whether you’re a single adult, a couple, or a family with children, BHEAGA calculates your personalised weekly energy budget based on official Irish data.
Choose your household
Select whether you’re a single adult, couple, one-parent family, or two-parent family.
Add your children
If you have children, tell us how many in each age group — infant, pre-school, primary, or secondary.
Get your figures
See your weekly electricity and gas allowance instantly, with a full breakdown of how it was calculated.
Bhega Calculator
Calculate your weekly energy budget
Select your household type, add any children, and get your personalised figures instantly.
Unlock your personalised energy figures
If you or your family are finding it hard to afford to cook in or heat your home, our calculator will tell you the amount per week you should be paying to both electricity and gas/home heating bills — an amount that is considered to be reasonable and above the minimum essential standard of living for a family of your size.
€19.27
Once-off payment · No subscription · No hidden fees
Instant results
Download PDF
Email results
Secure payment via Stripe · bheaga.ie never sees your card details
1
2
3
What best describes your household?
Select the category that applies to you.
Single
One Parent
Couple
Two Parents
✓
2
3
How many children in each age group?
Use the counters to add children in the relevant age brackets.
👶
InfantAge 0–2
0
🧒
Pre-schoolAge 3
0
📚
Primary SchoolAge 4–11
0
🎓
Secondary SchoolAge 12–18
0
✓
✓
3
Calculating your figures...
the name
bheaga stands for
Better Help (with) Electricity And Gas Arrears
In Irish, beag means small. Energy companies are big and powerful, while those on lower incomes are small. bheaga.ie is here for the muintir bheaga — the “small people” — helping families struggling with electricity and gas arrears to know exactly what’s reasonable to pay.
the price
BHEAGA’s price is set at €19.27
BHEAGA’s price is set at €19.27 as Ireland’s government decided to set up the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) to run, manage and distribute electricity countrywide almost 100 years ago in 1927. That fact can’t be changed, so the price of our calculator to you will never be changed either.
