Smart meters and tariffs
Smart meters help you track your home energy use and habits. Smart tariffs offer potential savings in energy costs.
What is a smart meter?
A smart meter is an electronic device that measures how much electricity you use. Smart meters are the latest digital technology, replacing old analogue meters nationwide. So what makes these meters smart?
Smart meters record your electricity use every 30 minutes. The records show how much electricity you use and when you use it at different times of the day in your home.
Finding your smart data
Smart meter records are available to view and download through your free ESB Networks account. If you have a smart meter, you are not obliged to sign up to a smart tariff.
- When you sign up to a smart tariff, ESB Networks send meter readings to your chosen electricity supplier.
- If you remain on a standard tariff, your usage data is shared with your supplier.
Smart meters will play a major part in Irelands' transformation to a more sustainable energy system. By the end of 2024 almost every home in Ireland will have a smart meter. They will enable households to be more efficient, environmentally friendly and be part of this transition.
Benefits for you
- No more estimated bills. Up to date meter readings are available to your supplier, so you are only billed for the energy you use.
- Manage your bills and control electricity use. Use the insights to make informed decisions in your home.
- Lower your carbon footprint. Respond to energy events to reduce energy use to lower your carbon footprint.
- Microgeneration payments. Get compensated for selling excess electricity to the grid from domestic renewable systems with feed-in tariffs.
- Future smart services. Smart meters will give you access to evolving products and services in the future.
Smart tariffs for smart meters
Unlike standard electricity tariffs, smart tariffs typically offer different prices for electricity at different times of the day, or week. These are referred to as Time of Use (ToU) tariffs.
Time of Use tariffs are designed to incentivise consumers to avoid using energy at times of peak demand (5pm-7pm).
There are numerous types of smart tariffs available to householders. Here are some examples:
- Standard Smart Tariff (ToU)
- Weekend Smart Tariff (ToU)
- 24hour Smart Tariff
Standard Smart Tariffs
All suppliers are obliged to offer a Standard Smart Tariff (SST) with unit prices for the following times.
Some suppliers also offer ToU tariffs with a night boost. This is a very low unit rate, aimed at electric car drivers.
To take full advantage of potential cost savings from ToU plans, use a significant portion of your energy between 11pm to 8am.
Weekend Smart Tariff
Some suppliers offer free electricity on Saturday or Sunday. Check the times as they may vary supplier to supplier.
24hour Smart Tariff
This is not a Time of Use tariff. Instead, it is a fixed unit price 24 hours day.
Other smart services from your supplier that may be available include:
- Flexible billing
- Enhanced insights from your supplier to see where most energy is used
- Tailored advice to help you manage electricity
Price comparison websites can help you find the best value tariff. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities advises using approved price comparison websites.
Contact us
If you are unsure whether you already have a smart meter, contact ESB Networks to confirm. ESBN have made it easier to arrange for a smart meter to be installed, all you need to do is register here.
For any smart networks queries, contact [email protected].
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