SSE Airtricity increases energy prices for third time this year 

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland said consumers could shave 10% off their heating bills by lowering the thermostat by just 1C. File picture

SSE Airtricity has increased its energy prices for the third time this year, affecting about 250,000 electricity customers and 85,000 gas customers.

The energy supplier is the latest to raise prices, with more than 30 price hike announcements from Irish energy suppliers since the start of the year, and some suppliers have raised prices four times.