Smart meters
The future of energy is here
Smart Meters are being rolled out across Ireland to give customers convenience, control and to support energy saving.
Every standard electricity meter in Ireland will be upgraded to a new Smart Meter with ESB Networks replacing 2.4 million meters nationwide by 2024.
Smart Meters offer increased opportunities for renewable energy generation on our journey to reduce carbon emissions for a cleaner, greener, and healthier environment for everyone.
What are Smart Meters?
Smart Meters enable you to see how much energy you are using and the cost of your usage so you can easily identify when and where savings can be made.
Smart Meters benefits to customers
Reduce energy costs: Smart meters make you more aware of your energy usage around the home, helping you keep track of your spending so you can take steps to make savings before your next bill
The power is in your hands: Smart energy controls means you can switch your usage to times of the day when electricity is cheaper for your consumption data available to view in the Energia app
Accurate billing: With a Smart Meter there is also no need to manually read your meter, your usage info will be sent automatically to your provider, so your account is always up-to-date!
Faults can be found faster: New functionality will identify and flag any faults with ESB Networks so fixes can be made faster.
Smart Meter FAQs:
Smart meters use wireless cellular connections, like mobile phones, to send your energy usage to your energy provider. Standard meters do not have this technology. They require customers to manually read them to accurately bill, and offer limited data and insights. Read our pros and cons of smart meters article where we discuss both more.
​​​​​You can have a Smart Meter installed and remain on your current non-smart tariff however once you have moved to Energia Smart Energy Plan, it is not possible to move back standard plan.
Our Smart Meter plans have been designed with the customer in mind and offer a range of benefits to give you the best value, service and energy saving support.
A dynamic electricity tariff is designed to give your business greater control over energy costs by linking your rate to the real-time wholesale price of electricity. When wholesale prices fall, your business benefits from lower rates during those periods.
Because wholesale prices can change every half hour, your tariff may vary throughout the day based on market supply and demand. This provides an opportunity for businesses to optimise energy usage- for example, by scheduling high consumption activities during lower cost periods.
If you’d like to explore how a dynamic tariff could support your business or have any questions, please contact our Customer Care team on 0818 363 744 or your Key Account Manager.
- Peak rate: This is applied between the hours of 5pm and 7pm.
- Day rate: This is applied between the hours of 8am and 11pm, excluding the peak hours.
- Night rate: This is applied between the hours of 11pm and 8am.
ESB have already installed over 800,000 Smart Meters across Ireland and the roll-out is being delivered on an area-by-area basis.
You will receive notice from ESB in advance of them coming to your area to completion installation. It is estimated that all standard meters in Ireland will be replaced with a new Smart Meter by 2024.
Smart meters send data wirelessly to ESB Networks using a secure 2G mobile network, similar to how text messages are sent. The meter transmits the total electricity consumption for the preceding 24-hour period. Additionally, the meter automatically checks its connection every two hours and sends an encrypted message if it detects any issues.
Yes, your smart meter is safe. All data collected is encrypted and securely stored by ESB Networks in a central Meter Data Management System (MDMS). ESB Networks complies with data protection obligations, ensuring your personal data is safe and secure.
Your smart meter records your daily electricity consumption, sending the total amount consumed every 24 hours to ESB Networks. It also records a more detailed breakdown of your electricity use in up to 30-minute intervals. The meter also sends diagnostic information to ensure it's working correctly.
No. Your smart meter does not use up or work with your own home WIFI.
You'll likely know you have a smart meter if an ESB Networks engineer installed it and informed you directly. ESB Networks also sends a letter prior to installation. The engineer usually provides a brochure with details about your new smart meter.
Your smart meter displays your total electricity usage in kWh. To read it, simply look at the main number shown on the screen and read it from left to right, just like a book. You don't need to press any buttons to see this overall consumption figure.
We also have a step-by-step guide on how to read your smart meter.
With a smart meter, Energia receives meter readings automatically from ESB Networks, eliminating the need for manual readings. If your smart meter has good connectivity, readings are sent automatically, and you won't need to submit any readings.
Only a small % of customers will be affected or will have inconsistent connectivity. In this case a meter reader will call to take a meter reading. If you have a smart meter but your connectivity quality is not at a strong level ESB Networks representatives will continue to take readings up to 6 times a year.
