Home News and events Eight in ten Dubliners are turning off heating and appliances to cut energy bills

Eight in ten Dubliners are turning off heating and appliances to cut energy bills

Almost half are doing this at least once a week, according to a new survey from Codema.

Image of the hapenny bridge in Dublin with lights reflecting off the river liffey
  • 81% of survey respondents say they have avoided turning on the heating or using appliances to save on energy bills.
  • Within this, almost half (46%) do this at least once a week.
  • At 44%, cost concerns now outrank climate and comfort as the top driver of everyday energy choices.

Eight in ten Dubliners (81%) say they have avoided turning on the heating or using appliances to save on energy bills – and almost half (46%) are doing so at least once a week, according to a new survey from Codema.

The findings from Codema’s Your Voice, Dublin’s Energy Future survey show everyday energy use is top-of-mind for most people in Dublin, with 62% thinking about their energy use “a lot of the time”. Cost and bills (44%) are now the main reasons for this, outranking environment and climate (28%) and comfort and warmth (27%).

This marks a clear shift from a similar Codema survey in 2021, where environment and climate was the leading factor – suggesting that the energy and cost-of-living crises have reshaped priorities for many Dubliners.

The survey, which ran from May to September 2025 and received 687 fully-completed responses, provides key insights into how the public want energy to be used and produced in Dublin, how to move away from fossil fuels and which actions to prioritise first:

  • Most important actions for Dublin: Respondents cite the roll-out of renewable energy technologies (61%), energy efficiency upgrades for homes and buildings (56%) and better access to public transport (51%) as the three most important actions to carry out within the capital.
  • Benefits: When asked about the benefits of a fossil fuel-free Dublin, respondents feel that better air quality and improved health (70%) and reducing our contribution to climate change (66%) are the most appealing reasons to act.
  • Who needs to act: At 78%, survey respondents feel that the current Government is most responsible for moving Dublin away from fossil fuels, followed by local authorities and their departments (55%) and individuals (47%).
  • Confidence gap: However, 64% are not at all confident in the current Government’s ability to deliver on climate action, while just 2% say they are very confident.
  • Having a say: 68% say they rarely or never have a say on climate action initiatives in their local community.

The full results will be presented today, Tuesday 21st October, at the Decarbonising Dublin Summit in the Aviva Stadium – Ireland’s only event focused solely on the Dublin region’s pathway to meeting its 2030 and 2050 climate and energy targets. Speakers include EirGrid, KSN Energy, the Climate Change Advisory Council, South Dublin and Fingal County Councils, Trinity College Dublin and representatives from Sustainable Energy Communities.

Commenting on the findings, Hannah Byrne, Communications and Engagement Coordinator at Codema and survey lead, said:

“Dubliners are making tough choices every week to manage their bills and avoid energy poverty. The message from the public is clear: we need action on clean energy, home upgrades and public transport and this needs to happen now.”

Further resources

Image of buildings lit up along the River Liffey Read the survey results in full Picture of participants taking part in audience exercise at the Decarbonising Dublin Summit. Decarbonising Dublin Summit