Electricity & Gas Suppliers Ireland - Smart Meters!

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Smart Meters

For a Greener World

6 things you need to know about Smart Meters

1 - What are Smart Meters?

Smart meters are the next generation of electricity meters. Like a traditional meter, a smart meter measures how much electricity you use. Using digital technology, smart meters give you more accurate information on your energy usage - helping you to manage your bills and facilitate Ireland’s growing renewable generation.

With smart meter services, your electricity usage could be recorded every 30 minutes or every 2 months, depending on the smart meter services suitable for you. This will allow you to view and manage your usage more easily and identify ways to save on your energy usage.

2 - Smart meters are being installed for free

Smart meters are currently being installed by ESB Networks across Ireland, at no extra cost to replace the traditional meters. Smart meters are optional. Smart meters are optional. By the end of 2024, every home, farm and business in Ireland will have the option to have a smart meter installed. ESB Networks will notify you when they are rolling out smart meters in your area. For more information on the roll-out of smart meters, please contact ESB Networks.

3 - A better way to manage your energy costs

Smart meters can provide you with greater access to accurate information on your energy usage*, giving you greater control over your business’s energy consumption and bills. In trials, consumers reduced consumption by up to 3% and peak demand by 8%. Being able to see your usage will allow you to make decisions on what you use and when - ultimately giving you the opportunity to save money and take small steps towards lowering your carbon footprint.

*In areas with adequate connection energy usage can be reported half-hourly for the previous day.

4 - You’re in control

New smart meters mean new smart products and services, giving you more choice and allowing you to move energy usage to times when electricity is cheaper. Upgrading to smart meters will allow the electricity grid and network to be managed more efficiently, leading to less faults and outages.

Smart meters can be read remotely**, enabling more accurate billing with smarter breakdowns and, significantly reducing the need for manual meter readings and estimated bills.

**In areas of low connectivity smart meter reads will be every 2 months remotely reducing the need for manual meter reads and estimated bills.

5 - Smart meters for a greener Ireland

By choosing SSE Airtricity, you’re already using 100%† green electricity, and have joined thousands of Irish homes and businesses taking small steps to a more sustainable future. Smart meters and services will help Ireland to become more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Reducing energy consumption during peak hours will reduce Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels overall. By choosing 100%† green energy and using a smart meter, you’re contributing to a cleaner, greener Ireland for everyone. 

6 - You can still switch energy suppliers

You can still switch suppliers when you have a smart meter, SSE Airtricity and other energy providers will be providing more information on the benefits of using smart meters and new services in 2021. When you’re with SSE Airtricity you’re also using 100%† green energy, you can feel good every time you flip a switch.

Smart meters are currently being rolled out by ESB networks. For any queries related to smart meter installation in your area, please contact ESB Networks.

Frequently asked questions

  • What services can I get with smart meters?

    Customers with smart meters can take advantage of a new generation of products and services. Smart meters enable your electricity usage to be logged remotely, reducing the need for manual meter readings and estimated bills. You can choose between Interval (30 minute) or Non-Interval (Bi-Monthly) smart meter services.

    Making the switch to Smart Services means you'll have more accurate bills. We'll move you to a Day / Night / Peak tariff, so you can start to shift your daily energy usage to times of the day where energy costs are lower.

    If you select Interval (30 minute) Smart Services, your smart meter will log your usage every 30 minutes. You'll be able to see a breakdown of your daily usage, in 30 minute intervals, online through your My SSE Airtricity account the day after you’ve used this electricity. Your meter connectivity will need to be Level 3 or Level 4 to avail of Interval (30 minute) Smart Services. Find out more about smart meter connectivity here.

    If you select Non-Interval (Bi-Monthly) Smart Services, or if this is the only option available to you, you won’t be able to see your 30 minute usage breakdown but we will receive your read once every two months. This will reduce the need for manual meter reads and will help keep your bills more accurate.

    Note: Once you've switched to Smart Services, you won't be able to revert to a 24 hour meter.

  • How can I activate smart meter services for my electricity meter?
    To activate Smart Services, you need to have a smart meter. If you’ve already had a smart meter installed by ESB Networks, call us on 0818 81 21 44 to enable Smart Services.  
  • How do I track my electricity usage data with my smart meter?

    If you’ve selected Interval (30 minute) Smart Services, you’ll have access to a full breakdown of your usage data through your My SSE Airtricity online account. Your breakdown will be available for you to view the next day and will be updated daily.

    This will provide you with “at a glance” information about how you are using electricity. This will help you make more informed choices so you can start to shift your daily energy usage to times of the day where energy costs are lower. You can also get an idea of how much electricity different appliances are using by seeing your 30-minute usage breakdown.

    If you select Non-Interval (Bi-Monthly) Smart Services, or if this is the only option available to you, you won’t be able to see your 30 minute usage breakdown, but we will receive your read once every two months. This will reduce the need for manual meter reads and will help keep your bills more accurate. You will also be able to view your Day, Night and Peak reads on your bills giving you a more insightful view of your electricity usage compared with standard non-smart meters.

  • How do smart meters work?
    Smart meters rely on a secure 2G network. Using this network, smart meters will log your electricity usage information remotely. You don’t need internet connection or WiFi for Smart Services to work.
  • Can I get Smart Services if I have low mobile reception in my house?

    If you have a low mobile reception in your area, you can opt-in for Non-Interval (Bi-Monthly) Smart Services. Depending on your connectivity level, we will receive your remote read once every two months. You will also have an option to provide manual meter reads if you opt-in for Non-Interval (Bi-Monthly) Smart Services. This will help keep your bills accurate. 

    If you have activated Interval (30 minute) Smart Services and your meter connectivity drops, we may need to move you to Non-Interval (Bi-Monthly) Smart Services.

Have more questions? We’ve developed a list of questioned and answers that might help you

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