How to choose the best smart meter plan

What is a smart meter plan?

Smart plans are energy tariffs designed especially for homes with smart meters.

They offer discounted energy at certain times of the day and night, rewarding households who can shift their energy use to off-peak periods, when electricity is in less demand.

A typical household using mostly off-peak energy could save up to €519 a year if they switched from a standard, non-smart plan to the cheapest smart tariff on the market.

Although smart tariffs can offer big savings, they could also cost you more if you don’t change your consumption habits.

If you have a smart meter, you can upload your ESB usage data when comparing plans on Switcher.ie. This lets us calculate estimated costs using your real electricity usage - not national averages - helping you see which smart tariff is likely to work out cheapest for your household.

Once you switch to a smart plan, you can’t revert to a standard plan.

How to compare smart plans using your smart meter data

If you have a smart meter, you can use your own electricity usage data to compare smart plans more accurately on Switcher.ie.

Your smart meter file shows how much electricity you use throughout the day, including during peak, off-peak and night-time periods. Uploading it helps us estimate costs based on your real usage, so you can see which smart tariff is most likely to suit your household.

To get your file:

1. Log in to your ESB Networks Account (or register if you don’t already have one).
2. Go to the My Energy Consumption section
3. Select 30-minute readings in kW
4. Choose a 12-month date range
5. Download the file in .csv format

You can then upload this file when comparing plans on Switcher.ie. To enable the upload option, select “Smart” as your current electricity tariff.

If you don’t have your file, you can still compare plans using estimated annual usage, but uploading your smart meter data will usually give you a more accurate result, especially if you’re considering a time-of-use, night-rate or EV tariff.

Switcher tip: Smart tariffs can look cheap if you only focus on the lowest night rate, but the best plan depends on when you actually use electricity. Uploading your smart meter data can help you compare plans based on your real day, night and peak usage.

Types of smart plans

Standard smart plans

Standard smart plans, also known as 24-hour or flat-rate smart plans, charge the same unit rate throughout the day and night.

The main differences between a standard smart plan and a standard non-smart plan include:

• Meter type: Flat-rate smart plans use a smart meter instead of a traditional meter.
• Billing: With a standard smart plan, your bills are based on actual meter readings rather than estimates.
• Insights: Smart plans can give you more detailed usage insights, so you can see when and how you use electricity.

Time-of-use plans

Whether you’re an EV driver, a night owl or simply looking to cut costs, there could be a time-of-use tariff that matches your lifestyle.

These plans charge different rates depending on when you use electricity, so they usually work best if you can move some of your usage away from more expensive peak times.

For example, choose between:

• Smart EV: Designed for electric vehicle owners, with lower rates for charging during specific overnight or ‘night boost’ hours.
• Weekend plans: Discounted or free energy at certain times during Saturday and Sunday.
• Smart day/night: Plans split into two time bands, with discounted night energy.
• Night boost plans: Very low rates for a short overnight window, often aimed at EV charging or battery charging.

Because smart tariffs charge different rates depending on the time of day, your usage pattern matters.

Uploading your smart meter data during comparison can help identify whether a 24-hour smart plan, a time-of-use tariff, a night boost plan or an EV plan would work best for your home.

When should you consider a smart meter plan?

A smart meter plan could be worth considering if you know when you use most of your electricity, or you’re able to move some usage to cheaper times.

Smart tariffs can work well for households that use more electricity overnight, at weekends or outside peak hours. They may also suit homes with an electric vehicle, solar battery or smart appliances, where larger amounts of electricity can be shifted to lower-rate periods.

A smart meter plan may suit you if you:

• Charge an electric vehicle overnight
• Can run appliances like washing machines, dishwashers or dryers during cheaper periods
• Use more electricity at night or at weekends
• Have a solar battery or smart appliances
• Want more accurate bills and better usage insights
• Are comfortable checking your usage and changing habits

However, a smart plan won’t always be cheaper. If most of your electricity use happens during peak hours, or you can’t easily shift your usage, a standard smart plan or non-smart tariff may work out better.

Before switching, compare the estimated annual bill, standing charge, day/night/peak rates and contract terms, not just the lowest headline unit rate.

Remember once you switch to a smart energy plan, you can’t revert to a standard, non-smart plan.

Discover how to switch your gas or electricity in our comprehensive guide on switching your supplier and finding a better deal.

How are average smart plan savings calculated?

Estimated, annual smart plan bills (EABs), and in turn, estimated savings, are calculated using consumption patterns in typical Irish homes across Day, Night and Peak periods.

The data, called standard ‘Smart Load Profiles’, is compiled by ESB Networks, and includes:

• Day usage: 54% (2,268 kWh)
• Night usage: 35% (1,512 kWh)
• Peak usage: 10% (420 kWh)

Though these are compiled using usage patterns across average homes, exact usage will depend on individual habits.

Smart meter plan examples: who could save and who might not

Smart meter plans work best when the tariff matches your routine. These examples show who may benefit from cheaper off-peak rates, and who may need to be more cautious before switching.

• EV owner charging overnight If you charge your car at home and can schedule charging during cheaper night boost hours, a smart plan could reduce your monthly charging costs. Just remember to check your household’s daytime and peak usage too, as these rates may be higher.
• Flexible household If you can move laundry, dishwashing, drying or hot water heating to cheaper periods, a time-of-use plan may work well. This is especially useful if you already use timers, smart plugs or appliances with delayed-start settings.
• Busy evening-use household If most of your electricity use happens during the evening peak, for example cooking, showers, laundry and heating between around 5pm and 7pm, a time-of-use plan may not save you money. A 24-hour smart plan or non-smart tariff may be a better fit unless you can shift some usage.

Smart plans for electric car owners

If you own an electric vehicle (EV), an EV smart plan could help cut charging costs if you charge your car at home during cheaper overnight hours.

EV smart plans usually offer lower night rates or a discounted ‘night boost’ window, often aimed at overnight charging.

They can also suit households with a solar battery, as low night rates can be used to charge the battery and then use stored electricity during more expensive peak periods.

However, the cheapest EV rate is not the only thing to compare. Check the full estimated annual bill, standing charge, day rate, peak rate, night rate, contract length and exit fees before switching.

Which suppliers offer EV smart meter plans?

If you’re an EV driver, you’ll want to charge your vehicle for the cheapest rate possible, at a time that suits you.

Several suppliers currently offer smart EV plans in Ireland:

1. Bord Gáis Energy EV plan: As well as a night rate, from 11pm-8am, Bord Gáis Energy offers a cheaper EV charging rate between 2am-5am.
2. Electric Ireland EV plan: Offers a normal night period, from 11pm-8am, and a cheaper night boost period between 2am-4am.
3. Energia EV plan: Offers low charging rates all night, with an EV Smart Drive charging window between 2am-6am.
4. SSE Airtricity EV plan: Offers super low rates between 11pm-5am.
5. Yuno Energy EV plan: As well as a 24-hour smart rate, Yuno Energy offers discounted EV energy between 2am-6am.

Rates, discounts and night boost windows can change, so compare the full annual cost of each EV smart plan and check that the cheaper charging hours match your routine.

Smart meter apps Ireland

Most energy suppliers offer apps to help you monitor and manage your electricity usage, which can help you make more informed decisions. They include:

How to compare smart meter plans and find the right tariff

As with standard plans, many suppliers offer the biggest discounts to new smart energy customers - so it’s always worth switching to a cheaper deal when your contract ends.

However unlike standard plans, choosing the right smart tariff which aligns with your lifestyle and shifting your usage to off-peak, discounted hours, will provide the biggest savings.

This allows us to estimate costs based on how and when you actually use electricity, helping you see which smart tariffs are most likely to work out cheapest for your home.

You can compare:

• Estimated annual bill: This gives a better picture than comparing one unit rate in isolation.
• Day, night and peak rates: Check when cheaper and more expensive rates apply.
• Standing charges: A low unit rate may be less valuable if the standing charge is higher.
• EV or night boost windows: Make sure the cheaper hours suit your charging or usage routine.
• Discounts and cashback: Introductory offers can reduce costs, but check what happens when the discount ends.
• Contract length and exit fees: Check how long you’ll be tied in and what it costs to leave early.
• Your usage pattern: A smart plan is more likely to suit you if you can move usage away from peak times.

While a supplier may offer a cheaper unit rate, the cost of the standing charge - which is a fixed cost - may be higher and increase the overall, annual bill.

If you have a smart meter, upload your ESB Networks usage data when comparing plans. This can help estimate your costs using your real day, night and peak usage, rather than relying only on average consumption.

Estimated annual bills and overall savings may be a helpful indicator, but real savings depend on individual habits, which differ from household-to-household.

Can you change back to a standard plan once you’ve switched to a smart plan?

Once you switch to a smart plan, you can’t revert to a standard plan. This is due to industry regulations and the fact that your meter’s configuration is changed once you move.

If you’re not happy with your current smart plan, you can still switch to another smart tariff, such as a 24-hour smart plan with a single unit rate throughout the day.

Always check if you’re out of contract before moving, so you don’t incur early cancellation fees.

Four ways to shift your energy use and save

Smart plans reward you for using electricity outside of peak times. Try these four habits to take advantage of cheaper rates and lower your bills.

1. Schedule appliances: Set timers or use smart plugs to run appliances like washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers during off-peak hours.
2. Use overnight charging: Charge your EV, smartphone, tablet or laptop overnight to take advantage of cheaper night rates.
3. Use appliances sparingly during peak hours: If possible, avoid running energy-hungry appliances during peak hours. If you need to use them, run one at a time.
4. Set thermostats wisely: If your heating or hot water uses electricity, set timers to avoid peak periods and make better use of off-peak rates.

Smart meter plan FAQs