Our online payment tool Fast Pay, allows you to make advance payments to your account, which are then credited off your next bill. This is a handy way to build up credit, so you're not hit with the full bill all at once.
Note: Fastpay allows for advance payment only, it can't be used to pay a bill that has already been issued.
We do not recommend posting and paying with cheques. Energia does not accept responsibility for any unaccounted for cheques. We would recommend paying by direct debit or through your Energy Online account.
The Social Welfare can’t pay Energia directly, but you can organise for them to make payment directly to you. You will need to make Social Welfare aware when you change supplier.
There are lots of ways to reduce energy usage in your home. Take a look at our Energy Saving Tips. You can also receive discounts on your bill if you pay by direct debit or sign up for online billing.
ESB Networks and Gas Networks Ireland read the electricity and gas meters four times a year. If we do not receive a meter reading, we estimate your bill, based on previous usage. You can improve the accuracy of your bills by submitting a meter reading yourself. Read our instructions on how to read your meter.
The first thing to do is contact us as soon as you start having difficulty paying your bill. The sooner we know there’s a problem, the sooner we can find a solution. We understand that there are times when customers experience genuine financial hardship and we will work with you to find the best arrangement for payment. This may involve the installation of a prepayment meter for debt management. If requested by you, we will engage with third party agencies or charities to find a solution and we will treat your information in strict confidence.
In accordance with the EAI Energy Engage Code, Energia will never disconnect a customer who engages with us to find a payment solution.
Yes of course. You will still receive the allowance. The Department will pay it directly into your bank account and then you use it to pay your bill. Just give the Department a call when you're switching to check all your details are correct.
This is the charge associated with keeping your home connected to the network and includes things like meter reading, maintenance and operating costs for supplying energy.
It will be applied to your bill as a daily rate. The total amount on each bill will depend on how many days are in the billing period. A billing period is normally around 60 days, however this can vary slightly.
Electricity and gas are billed separately in line with the billing cycles of ESB Networks and Gas Networks Ireland. If you are a Dual Fuel customer, you will receive two separate bills and each payment will be taken separately.
To avail of our cashback offer, simply enter the relevant promo code before adding your personal details. The cashback will be applied as outlined in your registration letter.
The cash-back amount will be applied as a credit to either your first or second Energia bill. If you are a Dual Fuel customer, the credit will be applied to your electricity bill.
We will look at your previous energy usage and use this to calculate the cost of your bills for the next 12 months. We will suggest a monthly payment amount and set up a monthly direct debit payment arrangement.
If you are a new Energia customer with us and we don’t currently hold any information about your historic energy usage, then we will calculate your monthly payment amounts based on some details about your home including the number of rooms and occupants.
Yes, we will still bill you for all of the energy that you use. Level Pay will help you budget for this, with regular monthly payments that go towards your bills.It is important that you continue to review your bills and get in touch with us if you ever want your monthly payment changed.
We estimate how much energy we think you will use over the year to calculate your monthly payment. Our estimate is based on and your previous usage. If we don’t have your previous usage we will estimate an amount based on similar households.
Yes! You can choose the date that your direct debit will be collected from your bank or building society account each month. If you need to change this date, simplycall us on 0818 405 405.
As a Level Pay customer you will still receive a bill every other month but as you’re already making monthly payments to cover the cost, you don’t need to take any action other than to review your usage or see your overall billing costs for information purposes.
In the first instance speak to our team who will be happy to review your account and check you’re paying the correct monthly amount to cover the cost of your bills over the year.
You can contact us at any time throughout the year and ask to have your monthly payment amount reviewed.
You choose a date between the 1st and 28th of the month. Your payments will be taken on this date each month, unless it falls on a bank holiday or over a weekend, when it will be taken the next working day. Please get in touch if you would like to change your payment date.
If you have been with us for a while, then our estimation is likely to have been in line with your previous usage. Your usage may change over time though, so we will still review your payment amount periodically.
If you have recently joined Energia, the Networks will provide us with your usage history after your registration completes and we will be in touch if your payment amount needs to be reviewed. We will always contact you to in advance of making any changes to your direct debit.
Please keep an eye on your bills and contact us if you think you would like the direct debit amount reviewed.
If you're an existing Energia customer, simply contact us with the following information and we will be able to upgrade your account to our Level Pay plan.
Your address and contact details
Your Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) found at the top of you bill
A recent meter reading
Your bank details for setting up your monthly direct debit
We use the opening and closing meter read of the bill period to calculate the daily average consumption. We then multiply the daily consumption by the number of days before & after the price change and charge these units at the applicable rate.
If there is a price increase/decrease, you will see additional unit rate lines as your bill will reflect a change in the unit rate cost. You will always be charged the price that is applicable at any given date.
If you are multi-rate (e.g. Day/Night/Peak), your regular bills will appear the same. If there is a price increase/decrease, you will see an additional unit rate line for each rate on your bill to reflect the change to unit rate cost.
Previously, we calculated your bill using 1 unit rate. Moving forward, if there is a price change you will see two unit rates & you will be billed for the units used before the price change at the old rate and for the units used after the price change at the new unit rate, all within one bill.
This is the Public Service Obligation levy. This is charged to all electricity customers and relates to the purchase by ESB of electricity generated from renewable, sustainable or alternative forms. The levy is determined by the Commission for Energy Regulation. The PSO levy has been set at €4.30 ex VAT per month or €51.60 annually from 1st May 2022.
As you would not historically have seen the new price until the first full bill after the price change, this bill is now higher because of the price increase. If our prices were to decrease, you would see this immediately too, without waiting on the next full bill.
When turning off the gas, you should first ensure that all gas appliances and pilot lights are switched off. Next you need to turn off the safety shut off valve, which is normally located within your gas meter box, outside the house. The valve is off when it is at right angles to the pipe.
To turn the gas back on, simply return the safety shut off valve to its original position, which is in line with the pipe.
If you have any difficulty reaching or turning the valve, you should contact Bord Gáis Networks on 1800 200 694.
If undertaking alterations to your home which may affect the safety or efficiency of your gas installation, get the advice of a competent Registered Gas Technician. A list of Registered Gas Technicians in your area is available on the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland .
Never block a ventilator which is there to ensure a safe supply of air.
Gas boilers and appliances should be installed in accordance with Irish Standard 813: 2002 'Domestic Gas Installations', by a competent Registered Gas Technician.
Use appliances only for the purpose for which they were designed, i.e. do not use a cooker to heat a room.
Never use any gas appliance if you suspect it might be faulty. Have it checked.
Carbon Monoxide is highly dangerous. It is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas that can cause illness and even death. Carbon Monoxide can be produced by the burning of fossil fuels, including by natural gas appliances, where there is poor ventilation and/or where the appliance is poorly installed, badly maintained or damaged.
For possible tell-tale signs of faulty equipment and for more information on carbon monoxide safety, please see www.carbonmonoxide.ie.
Don't switch anything electrical on or off. E.g. doorbells, switches or appliances
Open windows and doors to let the gas disperse
Check your appliances to see if the gas has been left on without being lit
If you've taken all these precautions and you still smell gas, you should turn off the gas at the meter and call the Bord Gáis 24-hour emergency number 1800 20 50 50.
The Register of Gas Installers of Ireland has a full list of gas installers by area. It is recommended that you contact at least three installers to compare cost.
The credit will be automatically applied to your account, as a credit on your bill. If your first billable amount after the credit is applied to your account is lower than the value of the credit, the credit will remain on your account and pass onto your following bill(s).
Prepay customers will be notified by their supplier via an email / text message /or message on the top-up note to advise them that the credit has been applied to their account. Your supplier will issue you with a 40-digit code (or codes) when you vend to redeem the credit. For customers with Lifestyle or Smart prepay meters, the credit will be automatically applied to your top-up or vend after your supplier has activated the credit to your account. There is a small population of older prepayment meters which, due to their age and inbuilt monetary limits, will require the customer to redeem their credit over three separate transactions over the space of a few days.
Your monthly payments will continue as normal. We automatically review Level Pay customers to ensure the monthly payment is correct. The review takes into account the balance on your account, unit rates, your usage and any credit or debit balance. We always contact with you directly by email/letter to advise if we are adjusting your monthly payment amount. See herehttps://www.energia.ie/customer-area/energia-level-pay for more about Level Pay.
Yes. For customers with Lifestyle or Smart prepay meters, the credit will be automatically applied to your top-up or vend. There is a small population of older prepayment meters which, due to their age and inbuilt monetary limits, will require the customer to redeem their credit over three separate transactions over the space of a few days. We will contact you directly by email / text message / phone / letter /or message on the meter top-up note.
No. Each credit instalment will only be applied to the account active on the effective date. Customers will not receive an individual instalment twice.
For operational reasons the scheme can only credit the domestic electricity account holder. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications advise as follows:
‘The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Residentials Tenancies Board (RTB) to publicise and increase awareness of the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme to ensure those in rented accommodation who hold the electricity account receive benefit from the payment. In the event that a dispute should arise, there are existing dispute resolution mechanisms provided by the RTB to landlords and tenants. The RTB encourages parties to engage with its mediation service where agreements are reached in over 70% of cases.’
You can still freely change your energy supplier. Credit will be applied to the account that is active on the effective date 27 Oct 2022 / 20 Dec 2022 / 27 Feb 2023. If credit is applied to an account, you are in the process of closing, your supplier will either apply this credit this to your closing bill or return the credit to you through the same payment method you pay your bills.
It was announced in Budget 2023https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money_and_tax/budgets/budget_2023.html that domestic electricity customers will get an additional €600 credit (inclusive of VAT) to help reduce electricity bills in 3 instalments of €200, paid between November 2022 and March 2023. This is in addition to the credit householders received in April 2022.
VAT has been reduced from 13.5% to 9% on gas and electricity bills from the start of May until the end of October as part of the suite of measures introduced in the National Energy Security Framework.
In line with Ireland’s VAT legislation, the rate of VAT that is applicable is the rate in force at the time of issuing of the bill.
The credit will be paid in 3 instalments of €200. The first payment will be made in November 2022. The second electricity credit will be made in January 2023. The third will be made in March 2023.
All domestic electricity accounts who are registered to an electricity supplier in the Republic of Ireland on the ‘effective dates’ are eligible for this credit. The effective dates are 27 Oct 2022 / 20 Dec 2022 / 27 Feb 2023.
Yes, the credit will be applied to every domestic electricity account holder. This means that holiday homes with a domestic electricity account in Ireland will be included in the scheme.
You can submit your meter reading online through your Energy Online Account, or call us on 0818 405 405. Be sure to have your account number and MPRN or GPRN handy.
Bring your Prepayment Card or PPM number to your nearest Payzone outlet and top up with the amount you require. Look for shops with the Payzone sign or log on to Payzone to find your nearest outlet.
You can top up any amount from €10 to €100. Just give the shop assistant your card and money and they will process the top-up.
You will be given a receipt with a 20-digit code. You will need this when topping up your meter at home. Please note some codes may be longer at times due to changes in tariffs.
Emergency Credit
When your credit reduces to €2 your meter will emit a low-volume warning sound for 2 minutes. Press 0 on your PPM to turn it off. After you press the button to turn off the warning sound, your meter will allow you to use up to €20.00 of emergency credit. You will need to make sure that your next top up is more than the total amount of emergency credit used.
Before installing a prepayment meter in your home, we will work with you to ensure this is the best solution based on your circumstances. You can contact us on 0818 642 642 and we will arrange to have the prepayment meter installed in your home. A Gas Networks Ireland fitter will then install the meter which takes around 45 minutes.
Your fitter/technician will …
Install and test the meter to make sure everything is working properly.
Show you how to use the meter and explain about your emergency credit.
Give you your own gas card which you must put into the meter BEFORE you go to Payzone to buy your first credit.
Provide you with all the information you need on your Pay As You Go gas meter. You should note that Pay As You Go gas meters cannot be installed in some apartments or under stairwells.
Please note some customers are protected from having their supply cut off during the winter months. However, if the credit is not maintained on a prepayment meter, the supply will turn off until a sufficient top up is applied.
Purchasing credit
Please check the opening times of the Payzone outlets where you can buy credit. Credit cannot be bought over the phone or online. You can contact your Gas Supplier for a list of ourlets in your area or log on to Payzone.
Emergency Credit
If the credit on your meter runs low, you’ll be able to use up to €20 of emergency credit. The next time you top up, 35% of the vend will be used against the emergency credit. E.G. If you used €20 emergency credit and then top up by €10, €3.50 will be used to repay the emergency credit. Please note if you have debt on your meter an additional 10% will also be recovered from your initial vend. If your emergency credit runs out, gas supply terminates until you top up again.
A pre-payment meter (PPM) is a great way to budget your account if you are struggling to keep on top of all your household bills. The Payment & Account Resolutions Team can arrange to install a PPM in your home, to help you manage your electricity or gas accounts. Any balance on your account at the time of install will be transferred to your PPM and recovered at 10%. This means each time you top up your PPM 10% will go towards your outstanding balance and 90% towards your usage.
For example, €100 transferred on to PPM at install, you purchase a €10 top up - your balance reduces to €99 (-€1) and €9 credit for on-going usage.
Please note if you live in rented accommodation, we will require permission from your landlord to install a PPM and the team will carry out a few checks to ensure your current meter is compatible for a PPM install.
If you are currently recovering a balance on a repayment option and this is no longer suitable, please call PAR on 0818 642 642 to discuss an alternative arrangement.
We’ll show you how to find your meter and take a meter reading:
1. You will generally find your meter contained in a meter box or cabinetlocated outside your home.
2. To take a meter reading, first open the meter box using a meter key.
3. Read the numbers displayed from left to right, ignoring any numbers in red. If you have a different sort of meter and aren't sure how to take the reading, please give us a call on 0818 405 405 or follow this link about How to read your meter.
4. If you live in an apartment, you may need to request the meter reading from the management company or your landlord.
You will need to close the account at your old address and open a new account at the new address. To open a new account, just give us a call with your new MPRN and/or GPRN number and a meter reading if possible.
You will need to contact us with a final meter read for the address so that we can calculate your final bill accurately, also your forwarding address so we may send on your final bill. If we do not receive a final meter read, you will continue to be charged for energy use at that address. We would also need the details of the new owners/tenants if you have them.
If you need the supply to stay on – please ensure that you are registered for an account. To register, please call us with a meter reading. We can get you registered for supply and set up a forwarding address for any correspondence. If you don’t call and nobody is registered, we may think the property is vacant and arrange to disconnect the supply. If you want the supply disconnected, please call us.
It is important that you call us with a meter reading as soon as you move in. When you call we can discuss our current offers for electricity and gas and complete your registration. If you don’t call, we may think the property is vacant and arrange to disconnect the supply.
Yes, if you are an Energy Online customer you can change details such as mailing address, email address, telephone numbers and whether you would like to continue getting marketing information from Energia. You can also update the bank account details linked to your Direct Debit.
Log in to Energy Online and click on My Account and then My Details. Here you will find the change email option where you can update your email address.
If you email [email protected] with your full name, Account ID or MPRN and Full Address you can get opted in to email, SMS, phone, and direct messaging marketing communications.
To view your bills on Energy Online, go to My Account, then select the My Bills / Letters option. These bills can be viewed online as well as being saved and printed.
In the My Account section, select My Consumption. You’ll see your energy use in terms of units, cost and carbon emissions. You can also compare your usage with the previous years and with an average house similar to your own.
The reading that you submit through Energy Online can only provide an indication of your bill total. If a meter reader from ESB or Gas Networks Ireland has collected a reading from your address, this will take precedence over the reading submitted online and this can cause slight variances in the bill amount.
To unlock your account you will need to use the Forgot your Password function and when your password is sent to your registered email address your account will be unlocked.
Just click on “Forgot your Password” on the login page. You’ll be asked for your username, date of birth and we'll ten email you a 6 digit security code. Once you enter your security code and answer your security question correctly we will allow you to create a new password.
Just click on “Forgot your Username” on the login page. You’ll be asked for your email address and phone number. We'll then email your username across to you and you can login to your Energy Online account.
The full process of switching your gas or electricity account can take up to 2-3 weeks. We have to wait for ESB Networks or Gas Networks Ireland to confirm you as our customer before your account with us is fully live.
If you are a Dual Fuel customer, it’s likely that your gas service may go live before your electricity service. So you might register for Energy Online using your gas account number, but your electricity account might not be fully switched over yet. This is nothing to worry about – you’ll see it there in a few days, if not, please contact customer service on 0818 405 405.
You may enter test meter readings at any time through our online Bill Calculator to keep track of your energy costs. However we can only accept your reading for billing purposes at specific times which are outlined on the Submit Meter Reading page.
Yes, the main goal for the team is to help our customers as early as possible to avoid customers from falling behind in bills. We are here to help, offer advice & support our customers, and treat every customer as an individual. We pride ourselves in treating every customer differently, listening to customer as an individual and offering a suitable resolution.
Unfortunately, if a customer does not pay their bills and adhere to our payment terms & conditions, yes either their electricity or gas supply can be disconnected due to non-payment. This is always the last resort for the Payment & Accounts Resolutions Team, and they will have made every effort to contact you to avoid this action. Therefore, the sooner you contact or engage with the team, the sooner we can support you to help you with your account.
Energia appreciate that sometimes it’s hard to call and discuss financial matters. If you don’t want to make that call, please email us at [email protected] always ensure to add your account number into your email so we can find your account. Outline in the email when payment can be made, or your current circumstances and we will always work with you to come to a suitable resolution or resolve an account issue ongoing on your account.
Call our Payment & Accounts Resolution Team on 0818 642 642 with a meter reading. We will check that your bill is accurate and discuss payment options available to you. We always lend a friendly ear and do what we can to make sure we come to a suitable payment resolution to help all our customers. We treat all our customer’s as an individual, and treat every customer differently depending on circumstances.
The Payment and Account Resolutions team are part of the wider Customer Experience team within Energia. Please don’t ignore the letter you have received and make contact via telephone or email as outlined in your letter. The letter will detail why we are contacting you in regard to either a query on your account, or a payment that is overdue.
No, the team are trying to contact you to give you an update on your account with Energia.The sooner we speak to you, the sooner we can help you with your account, or overdue balance.
A pre-payment meter (PPM) is a great way to budget your account, if you are struggling to keep on top of all your household bills. The Payment and Account Resolutions Team can install a PPM into your home, to help you manage your electricity and gas account, and it means its one less bill that you have to worry about. The balance on your account will be transferred onto your PPM and recovered at 10%. Meaning each time, you have to top up your PPM, 10% will go towards your outstanding balance and 90% towards your electricity or gas usage. Please note if you live in rented accommodation we will require permission from your landlord to install a PPM and the team will carry out a few checks to ensure your current meter is compatible for a PPM.
Take your meter card to any Payzone, Post Office or Postpoint outlet.
You can top up with any amount from €5 to €100. Give the shop assistant your card and money and they will process the top up.
You’ll be given a receipt with your 20 digit Topup Code printed on it. You will need this when topping up your meter at home.
Topping up the meter
Press the * button on the keypad. The message KEYCODE will be displayed.
Enter your 20 digit Top-up Code as it appears on your receipt and press the # button. If you enter a digit incorrectly you can erase it by pressing *
Once you’ve entered the Top-up Code correctly and pressed #, it will display ACCEPTED on the screen.
The amount of electricity you have bought will then appear followed by the word ACCOUNT and then the total amount of credit you now have.
If you have lost your plastic card, please call us for a replacement.
Emergency Credit
When your credit reduces to €2 your meter will emit a low-volume warning sound for 2 minutes. Press 0 on your keypad to turn it off. After you press the button to turn off the warning sound, you will automatically receive €5 Emergency Credit.
Friendly Credit
If your credit runs out after 4pm (5pm in summertime) on a weekday or anytime during the weekend, the supply will remain on until 9am (10am in the summertime) the next working day.
Your supply will also remain on until 9am the following day if the credit runs out during the following holidays; 1st January, 17th March, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, St. Stephen’s Day & 31st December.
The amount of emergency or friendly credit used will be deducted from your next top up.
At the request of a gas supplier, we can install a prepay meter, also known as a gas card meter. These meters allow customers to purchase an amount of gas credit on a gas card. The card is inserted into the meter and the credit is then transferred directly from the card to the meter.
Purchasing credit:
Please check the opening times of the Payzone, An Post or PostPoint outlets where you can buy credit. Credit cannot be bought over the phone or online. You can contact your Gas Supplier for a list of outlets in your area or log on to Payzone, An Post or PostPoint.
Please ensure you have enough credit on your meter at all times. It is useful to note that if the meter is left with no credit the standing charge will still be applied. This means the next time you key in a top up; deductions for any standing charge balance will be taken.
By switching to a Pay As You Go Meter you are also ensuring you can gradually pay off any outstanding payments on your account. With each top up, 25% will go towards your outstanding balance until the balance is clear with the remainder loaded on to your meter. We will notify you when the balance has been paid in full.
We will send you a minimum of one and a maximum of four statements of account each year.
Before installing a prepayment meter in your home, we will work with you to ensure this is the best solution based on your circumstances. The following criteria will apply:
You must show that you are experiencing difficulty paying account arrears due to financial hardship and consent to the installation
You cannot be critically dependent on electrically powered equipment
A 24 hour tariff must be in operation at the address
You must have easy access to the meter in your home for inputting credit
An authorised outlet should be easily accessible to purchase credit for the meter
If you do not meet the above criteria, for example you are critically dependent on electrically powered equipment; we will make every effort to find an alternative payment solution for you.
Elderly customers are normally protected from having their supply cut off during the winter months. However if the credit is not maintained on a prepayment meter, the supply will turn off until a sufficient top up is applied.
If you are registering with Energia and your existing meter type is interchangeable between prepayment and credit, we can issue a deactivation code to transfer your meter to credit mode. Alternatively, a meter exchange may be required.
Please note until you have entered the deactivation code, you will be required to keep the meter topped up or it will self-disconnect. Any top-ups from the date you register with Energia will be refunded by your previous supplier, you need to request this from them if necessary.
Contact us on 0818 76 77 78
What do I need to do if I have a SMART prepayment meter and I want a credit meter?
This should be de-activated automatically within 10 days by your previous supplier, you need to ensure your meter is kept in credit.
My current supplier is Prepay Power
If your previous supplier is pre-pay power, you need to contact them directly to arrange the meter to be de-activated.
I have left Energia:
We are sorry to see you go, if you are also changing to a credit meter and your new supplier is unable to provide you with a deactivation code, then please call Energia on 0818 642 642 and we will provide this for you.
The Standard Prepay Tariff is the same as our Standard Tariff. You are not charged anything additional for having a prepayment meter.
The Repayment Tariff is for customers who have agreed to repay a debt through their prepayment meter. This tariff will take a percentage (10%) of the credit purchased toward the debt and put the balance towards the daily standing charge and unit rate per kWh of gas or electricity used.
See our tariffs section for a breakdown of charges. We will notify customers in advance of any changes to our standard rates.
Important: it is advisable to top up your card during the summer months to ensure the daily standing charge does not build up.
The Standard Prepay Tariff is the same as our Standard Tariff. You are not charged anything additional for having a Pay As You Go Meter.
The Repayment Tariff is for customers who have agreed to repay a debt through their prepayment meter. This tariff will take a percentage of the credit purchased toward the debt and put the balance towards the daily standing charge and unit rate per kWh of gas or electricity used. A proportion of the credit purchased will ALWAYS be left for your gas and/or electricity usage.
See our tariffs section for a breakdown of charges. We will notify customers in advance of any changes to our standard rates.
Important: it is advisable to top up your card during the summer months to ensure the daily standing charge does not build up.
You can click here to complete the short registration form for priority installation of a smart meter in your area, if ESBN have yet to install meters in your area.
When activated, the smart meter will communicate remotely with ESB Networks over a secure 2G network using technology like that used to send text messages. Your meter will create the equivalent of an encrypted text message and send it to an IT system called a Head End System (HES). This data is then stored securely in a central Meter Data Management System (MDMS) managed and operated by ESB Networks.
Each day, normally around midnight and via a secure 2G mobile network, your meter will send ESB Networks the total amount of electricity consumed over the previous 24 hour period. Each smart meter will activate itself approximately every two hours to check its integrity and connection to the network, if it finds any problems it will create another encrypted text message and send it to us.
This information has been extracted from ESB Networks and more can be found here.
At this stage your new meter is recording your electricity usage but the meter is not set up to communicate remotely, so no data is being sent from the meter. Your meter will continue to be read by our meter readers until we begin remote reading in 2021.
During 2020, ESB Networks will start to build their new communication network. With this upgrade, your meter will start to connect to ESB Networks secure 2G network provided by Three Ireland Limited. A minimal amount of data will flow from your meter to prove the communication network ahead of the planned go-live in 2021.
Unlike traditional meters which record your electricity consumption and which were read every two months, when fully operational your smart meter will send details of your electricity consumption every day and reduce the need for estimated bills.
Each day, normally around midnight and via a secure 2G mobile network, your meter will send ESB Networks the total amount of electricity consumed over the previous 24 hour period. This reading will be used to provide information to support customer billing, customers switching suppliers and moving premises.
The meter will also records a more detailed breakdown of the electricity consumed in up to 30 minute periods. However, this information will only leave your home if you request this Energia or if you're not an Energia customer, through your own supplier.
In order to ensure the meter is working properly, the meter will also occasionally send ESB Networks diagnostic information about the meter itself.
When smart meters are fully operational, you will have a choice to be provided with more accurate information about energy usage across the day to allow you to better manage your bills with greater accuracy than at present. This information can also help you to make more informed choices about your consumption and tariff.
Currently, your electricity meter is manually read by ESB Networks up to four times per year. Smart Meters are able to remotely send your meter readings to ESB Networks. So with smart meters, there will be no need for estimated bills.
Between now and January 2021, ESB Networks will be building IT systems and a new operations centre, all necessary to support the launch of new smart services from electricity supply companies. As explained below, we will be building more functionality as the project progresses.
September 2019 – Meter installation commences
Once installed, your new smart meter will begin to record details of your total electricity consumption every day. The meter will also record a more detailed breakdown of the electricity consumed in up to 30 minute periods. However, this more detailed information will only leave your home if you request this to happen through your Energy supplier. If you are an Energia customer, you must make this request directly with us, from 2021 onwards.
Initially the SIM card within the smart meter will be disabled and therefore no data will be sent from your new meter. Your new meter will continue to be manually read up to four times a year by a meter reader for billing purposes.
Commencing operation and management of meters
During 2020, ESB Networks will commence connecting new meters to our secure 2G network operated by Three Ireland Ltd. At this point your smart meter will send ESB Networks details of the energy consumed since the meter was installed as well as other non-personal data about the functioning of meter itself, no other data will be collected. Data will be collected for the following purposes:
Establish and prove ESB Network’s new Smart Meter Operations Centre.
Establish meter security and cyber security functions.
Establish meter diagnostic functions including monitoring for meter tampering.
Proving the robustness of the communications network to improve its performance as necessary.
Establish and monitor the regularity of communications for each meter point to determine the types of smart services that can be delivered to customers.
The meter readings taken at this stage will not be used for billing and will not be shared with Energia or your other electricity supplier if you are not an Energia customer. A meter reader will continue to call to your home to read the meter manually.
From January 2021 – Remote meter reading
From January 2021, ESB Networks will commence remote reading of meters which will significantly reduce the need to use estimates for billing purposes. The meter readings collected will be shared with Energia or your other eletricity supplier if you are not an Energia customer. This will allow us to prepare an accurate bill as they do today. There may still be occasions when remote meter readings are not able to be captured which could result in an estimated bill.
Also in 2021, Energia will start to offer new products, energy services and tariffs. If you agree a new tariff with us then your smart meter will send the necessary usage data. You can change your preference by getting in contact with Energia directly when smart services become available.
Remote meter readings will also be used to improve the final reading and billing process for those customers who change suppliers or move premises.
This information has been extracted from ESB Networks and more can be found here
Below is what most smart meters supplied by ESB Networks will look like.
The digital display screen on your new smart meter shows your current meter reading in kilowatt-hours (kWh). To read the new meter, note the figures on the screen before “kWh” from left to right and include all digits.
Initially the meter will continue to be read manually by ESB Networks. From 2021 onwards it will be read automatically, significantly reducing the need for estimated bills.
Smart meters are a part of our future. They are the next generation of electricity meters. Using digital technology, the meters will give you, our customers, more precise information on energy usage throughout the day. Smart meters are being rolled out across Europe and internationally and by 2020 it is expected that over 700 million will be installed globally.
At this stage your new meter is recording your electricity usage but the meter is not set up to communicate remotely, so no data is being sent from the meter. Your meter will continue to be read by our meter readers until we begin remote reading in 2021.
During 2020, ESB Networks will start to build their new communication network. With this upgrade, your meter will start to connect to ESB Networks secure 2G network provided by Three Ireland Limited. A minimal amount of data will flow from your meter to prove the communication network ahead of the planned go-live in 2021.
Starting in the autumn of 2019, ESB Network’s plan is to replace 250,000 meters between autumn 2019 and the end of 2020 and a further 500,000 meters every year from 2021 to 2024.
Meters are being replaced to future proof Irish homes and provide multiple benefits.
For the consumer:
Smart meters will replace older mechanical meters. When fully functioning, smart meters will bring benefits to the consumer, the environment and the economy. With smart meters, there will be no need for estimated bills. You will be able to access the information you need to make more informed choices about your consumption and tariffs. Accurate information about energy usage across the day will allow you to manage your bills with greater accuracy. In summary, smart meters will improve consumer experience, customer choice and the range of products and services available to our customers.
For the environment:
The environment will benefit because smart metering will encourage energy efficiency, enabling an increase in renewable power on the electricity system. The upgrade programme will help to reduce CO2 emissions thus lowering Ireland’s costly dependency on fossil fuel imports.
For the economy:
The economy will benefit because using smart meters will help us to more efficiently manage energy flow during periods of high demand.
All data collected from the meter is encrypted and will be securely stored in a central Meter Data Management System (MDMS) operated by ESB Networks. ESB Networks ensures that they are compliant with their data protection obligations and that all personal customer data is safe and secure.
ESB Networks confirm this information on their own website here.
We can provide your bill in large print or in Braille. Alternatively we can telephone you and go through your bill over the phone. To avail of any of these services please register your details with us by filling out our Special Services Registration Form and returning it by post to Energia, PO Box 12380, Dublin 2.
You can register your details with us by filling out our Special Services Registration Form and returning it by post to Energia, PO Box 12380, Dublin 2. You will then be added to the Special Services Register with ESB Networks and Bord Gáis Networks as a high priority customer to ensure you never lose power.
If you are over 66, you can register with us by filling out our Special Services Registration Form and returning it by post to Energia, PO Box 12380, Dublin 2. You will then be added to the Special Services Register with ESB Networks and Bord Gáis Networks and they will guarantee to never disconnect your power during the winter months (1st November to 31st March).
Yes we can redirect your bill. You just need to fill out the details on our Special Services Registration Form and return it by post to Energia, PO Box 12380, Dublin 2.
According to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), a Vulnerable Customer is defined as a person who is:
Critically dependent on electrically powered equipment. This includes (but is not limited to) life protecting devices, assistive technologies to support independent living and medical equipment, or
Particularly vulnerable to disconnection during winter months for reasons of advanced age or physical, sensory, intellectual or mental health.
Switching is simple. You can sign up online or give us a call on 0818 300 701. We’ll ask you for the following information during the registration process:
A current bill so you can tell us your MPRN number for electricity and/or GPRN for gas.
Yes of course. You will still receive the allowance. The Department will pay it directly into your bank account and then you use it to pay your bill. Just give the Department a call when you're switching to check all your details are correct.
Thanks for making the switch! You will receive a Registration Letter from us in the next few days to confirm that you’ve signed up and you’ll receive your Energia Welcome pack within two weeks. In the meantime we will contact your old supplier to organise the switch over and they will send you your final bill. Within 8-10 weeks of your sign up you’ll receive your first Energia bill.
The PSO is applied at the end of the calendar month for each month it relates to.
For example:
I received my bill for the period mid-January to mid-March 2023, this will cover PSO for January and February and will therefore show zero for both months.
I received my bill for the period mid-February to mid-April 2023, this will cover PSO for February and March and will show zero for February and a credit of €12.73 for March.
The Natural Gas Carbon Tax of 0.877 c/kWh (ex VAT) or 0.956 c/kWh (inc VAT) applies to all gas supplied in Ireland from the 1st May 2023. Certain exemptions may apply. The Carbon Tax is in accordance with the EU Energy Tax Directive and Schedule 1 of the Finance Bill 2010.
This is the Public Service Obligation levy. This is a charge applied to all electricity customers and relates to the purchase by ESB of electricity generated from renewable, sustainable or alternative forms. A “negative PSO” results in a payment to, rather than a charge on a customer’s bill. The levy or payment is determined by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities on an annual basis.
We’ve created a hub of helpful content to inform you of the services Energia and the government have available. Find out some practical ways you can reduce your usage to help save on your bills.
In accordance with the Energy Engage Code, we will never disconnect a customer who is worried about their bills if they contact us.
