Households in Ireland are set to receive their first €150 energy credit tomorrow, amid a cold snap bearing down on the country.

The first €150 credit is scheduled for disbursement starting on December 1. The Government last month confirmed all Irish households will get a total €450 boost off their bills, with energy credits due in December, January and March.

But while the first energy credit is dispensed tomorrow, depending on when your bill is it, could be the New Year before it makes an impact. Here's everything you need to know about the first energy credit's arrival, what the energy companies are saying, and more.

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Who is eligible for the €150 energy credit?

The energy credit applies to all domestic electricity accounts registered with an electricity supplier in the Republic of Ireland.

You're eligible to get the credit if you are registered as either:

• An urban domestic customer (classified as DG1)
• A rural domestic customers (classified as DG2)

When will my first €150 energy credit arrive?

The Government confirmed back in the Budget that the first energy credits will be sent out from 1 December, 2023. But several Irish energy companies have warned customers that it could be December 31 before they can view the payment on their bill.

Energy Company dates for 1st energy credit

Electric Ireland said: "The first credit instalment of €150 - €137.61 plus €12.39 VAT - will start to be available from December 1, 2023. Some households may not be able to view this credit on your bill until December or January depending on when you are due to bill."

Bord Gais said the first credit will hit bills between December 1 and December 31. They said: "Eligible Bord Gáis Energy customers with a residential electricity account as of 29 November 2023 will receive the first credit.

"Customers don’t need to sign up, register or contact us to receive the electricity credits. We’ll automatically apply the credits to your residential electricity account, so you don't need to do anything."

PrePay Power said in a statement: "PrepayPower customers will be paid their credit instalments within the following dates. First instalment: Between December 1st and 6th, 2023.

"Second instalment: Between January 1st and 6th, 2024. Third instalment: Between March 1st and 6th, 2024."

Yuno customers are also entitled to the energy credits, the first of which they will receive between December 1 and December 31. And SSE Airtricity's first energy credit will arrive during the same period.

Flogas has said that 96 per cent of their customers meet criteria for the credits. They said: "The scheme will apply to all domestic accounts (DG1 and DG2), including pay as you go customers, that have consumption of 150 kWh of electricity consumed in each period of three months in the four consecutive periods of three months occurring in the period beginning on July 1 2022 and ending on June 30 2023."

Eoin Clarke, commercial director at S witcher.ie said that the first energy credit of the year is most welcome. He said: “With temperatures plummeting and the cost of living still soaring, the first electricity credit will be a relief for many families in the lead up to Christmas. From tomorrow, customers will see a credit of €150 on their electricity account.

"You might not see the credit until later in December or January, depending on when you are due your bill. But with the typical household still paying €1,917 per year for electricity, all three government credits may only cover a fraction of their annual bill.

"This makes it more important than ever that you're not paying more for electricity than you need to. For those on prepay meters, your supplier should give you instructions on how to redeem the credit.

"If you’re renting and your landlord is the account holder, they are responsible for passing you on the credit. If they don’t, you can raise it with the Residential Tenancies Board," added Mr Clarke.

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