Guide to smart meters
What is a smart meter?
A smart meter is an electricity meter that automatically sends information about your electricity use to the ESBN. You may already have one installed in your home.
Smart meters come with many benefits including:
- Suppliers have less need for estimated bills and manual readings which saves time and is more accurate.
- Customers get detailed, real-time information about their electricity use. This information includes when you are using it and how much you are using.
- Customers have better control over their electricity use. You can shift your use to cheaper times if you are on a smart time-of-use energy plan.
Over two million smart meters are already installed in Irish homes
Tip: You can register for an ESBN online account to access the data from your smart meter. This shows your electricity use and can help you to make informed decisions to save money. Go to www.esbnetworks.ie/services/manage-my-meter/view-my-smart-meter-usage
How do I activate my smart meter?
Contact your supplier to find out if you have a smart meter installed.
If you already have a smart meter installed, your supplier can tell you about the available smart tariffs or plans.
The savings available to you depend on how much you can shift your electricity use away from peak times towards cheaper times of the day.
If you choose a smart tariff, your smart meter will be activated, and you can then see how much and when you are using your electricity. This will help you decide when it is best to use your electricity.
Most suppliers offer easy-to-use apps or online portals to help you track your use and manage your account.