Smart meters are now installed in over 1.5 million Irish homes, yet the majority of households are not taking full advantage of them. These devices were introduced to make energy use more transparent, give consumers more control, and help reduce bills. However, unless you actively use the information they provide — and switch to a tariff that suits your lifestyle — you won’t see the savings.

When used correctly, smart meters can help Irish households save up to €800 a year. Here’s how.

1. Understand What Your Smart Meter Actually Does

A smart meter automatically sends detailed readings to your electricity supplier. Unlike the old mechanical meters, it can show:

• Real-time consumption (how much electricity you’re using, in kWh).
• Time-of-use data (when you use the most electricity).
• Daily, weekly, and monthly patterns.

This information is accessible through your supplier’s online portal or app, allowing you to track usage down to the hour.

👉 Why it matters: With this data, you can see exactly what appliances are costing the most, and identify expensive peak-time habits.

2. Switch to a Time-of-Use Tariff

The biggest savings come when you move from a flat-rate plan to a time-of-use tariff (sometimes called “smart plans”).

• Standard rate: You pay the same price per unit of electricity no matter what time of day.
• Smart plan: Prices change depending on demand. Electricity is cheaper at night and off-peak, but more expensive during evening peaks (5pm–7pm).

For example:

• Daytime (9am–5pm): standard rate
• Peak (5pm–7pm): highest rate
• Night (11pm–8am): lowest rate

👉 Potential savings: By running your dishwasher, washing machine, or EV charger at night, you could cut bills by 30–40%. For a household spending €2,000 on electricity annually, that’s around €600–€800 saved.

3. Shift Energy-Heavy Appliances to Off-Peak Hours

Not every appliance can be shifted, but some of the most expensive to run are flexible:

• Washing machines & dryers → Run after 11pm.
• Dishwashers → Set on a delayed timer for night.
• Immersion heaters → Use only off-peak if possible.
• EV chargers → Always charge overnight.

👉 Pro tip: Most modern appliances have delay timers. Using them ensures you never accidentally pay peak prices.

4. Track and Adjust Your Usage Habits

Your smart meter portal or app will highlight patterns. For example:

• Do your bills spike between 5pm and 7pm?
• Is your immersion heater running longer than you thought?
• Are you using electric heaters when the heat pump could do the job more efficiently?

👉 Small habit changes: Turning off appliances left on standby, using slow cookers instead of ovens, or reducing dryer cycles can add up to €100–€200 a year in savings.

5. Combine Smart Meter Data With Energy Efficiency

Smart meters show you when and how much you use, but pairing that with better efficiency multiplies the savings:

• LED bulbs → Use 80% less electricity.
• Smart plugs → Let you schedule devices to turn off.
• Insulation & draft-proofing → Reduce heating costs significantly.

👉 Result: Smart usage + efficiency measures can cut your household bills by up to 30–40%.

6. Avoid Peak-Time Traps

Suppliers often charge double or more during the evening peak. Cooking, laundry, and heating water during this short window could be wiping out your savings.

👉 Golden rule: Avoid heavy appliance use between 5pm–7pm wherever possible.

7. Check Your Supplier’s Offers Regularly

Energy providers in Ireland offer different smart tariffs — some with free electricity at weekends or overnight hours. These offers change often, and switching provider once a year is one of the easiest ways to maximise savings.

👉 Tip: Use comparison websites and check if your lifestyle matches the tariff (night owls, EV drivers, and families who can shift laundry/charging schedules benefit the most).

Final Thoughts

Smart meters are more than just a replacement for your old meter. They are a tool to take control of your electricity use, reduce waste, and unlock serious savings.

Most Irish households are missing out because they stay on standard tariffs or ignore the data. By:

• Switching to a smart plan,
• Running energy-heavy appliances at night,
• Tracking and adjusting usage habits, and
• Shopping around for the best deal,

you could save up to €800 per year — money better spent on your family, your home, or simply reducing financial stress.

Smart meters are here. It’s time to make them work for you.