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Smart electricity tariffs Ireland
Smart tariffs use time-of-use pricing with peak and off-peak rates, enabled by a smart meter. They offer the most granular control over your electricity costs, with very low off-peak rates for flexible loads.
Who is a Smart tariff for?
Smart tariffs suit tech-savvy households with smart appliances, households with high electricity use that can be scheduled (EV charging, heat pumps, immersion heaters), and people who want maximum transparency and control over their energy spend.
How does it work?
A smart meter records your usage in half-hourly intervals. You pay peak rates during high-demand periods (typically 8am–11pm) and off-peak rates during low-demand periods (typically 11pm–8am). Some suppliers offer additional super off-peak periods.
Advantages
- •Off-peak rates can be extremely low (13.50c/kWh with Energia)
- •More flexible than NightSaver — off-peak windows may vary
- •Enables better understanding of your actual consumption patterns
Disadvantages
- •Requires a smart meter to be installed (free from ESB Networks but may take time)
- •Peak rates are higher than standard tariffs
- •Requires active management of when you run high-draw appliances
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a smart meter in Ireland?
Smart meters are installed free by ESB Networks. You can request one through your supplier or directly at esbnetworks.ie. Installation typically takes a few weeks.
What is the peak vs off-peak split assumed in calculations?
Our calculator assumes 40% peak and 60% off-peak usage as a default. Adjust this based on your actual habits for a more accurate estimate.
Which supplier offers the best smart tariff?
Currently Energia is the main supplier offering a residential smart tariff with a very competitive 13.50c/kWh off-peak rate.
Other tariff types
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