What Is a Smart Meter?
A smart meter replaces your old electricity meter with a digital one that records usage in 30-minute intervals. It communicates with ESB Networks automatically, so no more estimated bills. More importantly, it enables time-of-use pricing, which means you pay different rates depending on when you use electricity.
ESB Networks has been rolling out smart meters across Ireland since 2019. Over 1.5 million have been installed. If yours hasn't been upgraded yet, you can request one through your electricity supplier.
Time-of-Use Tariffs Explained
With a smart meter, you can switch from a flat rate (the same price per kWh all day) to a time-of-use plan with cheaper off-peak rates:
| Period | Typical Hours | Typical Rate | Compared to Flat Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night | 11pm to 8am | 16–20c/kWh | 40–50% cheaper |
| Day | 8am to 5pm | 34–42c/kWh | Similar or slightly more |
| Peak | 5pm to 7pm | 40–50c/kWh | 20–40% more expensive |
| Evening | 7pm to 11pm | 34–38c/kWh | Similar |
The savings come from shifting consumption to off-peak hours. Running your washing machine, dishwasher, immersion heater, and EV charger overnight instead of during peak hours can save €200–€500 per year.
Smart Meters and Solar Panels
A smart meter is essential for solar panel owners. It's the only way to get paid for surplus electricity you export to the grid under the Clean Export Guarantee. Without one, your exported electricity goes to the grid for free.
With a smart meter, your supplier tracks both what you import and export. You get paid 15 to 24c per kWh for exports (depending on supplier), which adds €300–€700 per year to your solar savings. See our full microgeneration guide for export rates by supplier.
Smart Meters and Heat Pumps
Heat pumps run on electricity, so your electricity bill increases when you install one. A smart tariff helps manage this by letting you run the heat pump on cheap night rates. Many homeowners programme their heat pump to heat the house and hot water cylinder overnight (16–20c/kWh) rather than during the day (34c+). This alone can reduce heat pump running costs by 20–30%.
See our heat pump running costs guide for detailed savings.
Smart Meters and EV Charging
Charging an electric car at home uses significant electricity (a full charge can draw 30–60 kWh). On a flat rate at 34c/kWh, that's €10–€20 per charge. On a night rate at 16c/kWh, it drops to €5–€10. Over a year, this difference is worth €500–€1,000 for a daily commuter.
How to Get a Smart Meter
- Check if you already have one. Look at your meter: if it has a digital display (not spinning dials), it may already be smart. Your meter configuration code (MCC) on your bill tells you: MCC12 or MCC16 means smart.
- Request an upgrade. Contact your electricity supplier or ESB Networks. Installation is free and takes about 15 minutes.
- Choose a smart tariff. Once installed, contact your supplier to switch to a time-of-use plan. Compare rates across suppliers before choosing.
A BER is the starting point for most energy upgrades and grant applications. Homerating.ie has been assessing Irish homes since 2009, with fast turnaround in Dublin and nationwide coverage. Book a BER with Homerating.ie →
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. ESB Networks installs smart meters at no cost. Contact your electricity supplier to request an upgrade or check if yours has already been installed.
You need one to get paid for exported electricity. Without it, any surplus goes to the grid for free. With a smart meter, your supplier pays you 15 to 24c per kWh exported.
Once you activate a smart tariff, you generally stay on smart tariff options. But you can switch between different smart plans and suppliers freely.