Night rate electricity — commonly known as NightSaver — is a metering arrangement that gives Irish households access to cheaper electricity during off-peak hours. If you run appliances such as storage heaters, immersion heaters, or an electric vehicle charger overnight, a nightsaver meter can significantly reduce your annual electricity bill.
Unlike a standard 24-hour meter, a nightsaver meter records daytime and nighttime usage separately. You pay a higher unit rate during the day but a substantially lower rate at night, typically for nine hours. The trade-off also includes a higher standing charge, so the plan only saves money if you can shift enough consumption to the cheaper window.
In this guide we compare every nightsaver tariff on the Irish market, explain the exact hours that qualify for the cheaper rate, and show you how to calculate whether switching to a night rate meter is worthwhile for your household. We also compare the traditional nightsaver meter with the newer smart meter time-of-use plans that are now available from most suppliers.
Who Is the Cheapest Night Rate Electricity Provider?
As of March 2026, Ecopower Supply offers the lowest-cost night rate option at €1,275.71 annually for urban customers with a 29% new customer discount. The table below ranks every supplier with a nightsaver tariff from cheapest to most expensive, based on an urban meter with the average Irish consumption of 4,200 kWh per year.
| Supplier | Discount | Annual Bill | Day Rate | Night Rate | Standing Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecopower Supply | 29% | €1,278 | €0.2514/kWh | €0.1384/kWh | €277.40/yr |
| SSE Airtricity | 35% | €1,341 | €0.2485/kWh | €0.1589/kWh | €310.61/yr |
| Energia | 36% | €1,363 | €0.2745/kWh | €0.1316/kWh | €304.85/yr |
| Bord Gáis Energy | 32% | €1,376 | €0.2790/kWh | €0.1381/kWh | €295.27/yr |
| Electric Ireland | 18% | €1,383 | €0.2791/kWh | €0.1377/kWh | €301.45/yr |
| Energia Smart | 30% | €1,398 | €0.2825/kWh | €0.1392/kWh | €304.56/yr |
| Flogas | 30% | €1,420 | €0.2833/kWh | €0.1372/kWh | €325.25/yr |
| Community Power | — | €1,428 | €0.3035/kWh | €0.1757/kWh | €219.00/yr |
| Yuno Energy | — | €1,489 | €0.3134/kWh | €0.1894/kWh | €227.47/yr |
| Waterpower | — | €1,599 | €0.3299/kWh | €0.2199/kWh | €237.25/yr |
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What Are the Night Rate Electricity Times?
Night rate electricity hours vary between winter and summer, shifting in line with daylight saving time:
- Winter (late October to late March): 11 pm to 8 am
- Summer (late March to late October): 12 am (midnight) to 9 am
The changeover happens on the same day as the clock change. Regardless of the season, you always get a full nine-hour window of cheaper electricity each night.
How Much Are Night Rate Electricity Standing Charges?
Nightsaver meters carry a higher standing charge than standard 24-hour meters because two registers (day and night) must be read and maintained. The difference between urban and rural standing charges can be significant — rural customers pay more due to higher network costs.
| Supplier | Urban | Rural |
|---|---|---|
| Community Power | €238.71 | €278.50 |
| Yuno Energy | €247.94 | €335.83 |
| Waterpower | €258.60 | €334.19 |
| Ecopower Supply | €302.37 | €334.19 |
| Pinergy | €308.94 | €382.38 |
| SSE Airtricity | €309.57 | €377.00 |
| Bord Gáis Energy | €321.84 | €398.75 |
| Electric Ireland | €328.54 | €400.48 |
| Flogas | €331.29 | €422.20 |
| Energia | €331.97 | €422.31 |
| Prepay Power | €456.29 | €538.57 |
Note that the table above is sorted by urban standing charge from lowest to highest. Community Power has the cheapest standing charge, but its unit rates are higher, which is why it does not top the overall cheapest-bill ranking.
How Much Cheaper Is Night Rate Electricity?
The table below compares a standard 24-hour flat rate with the average nightsaver tariff to show the potential annual saving. Figures are based on average consumption of 4,200 kWh, assuming 37% is used at night.
| Category | 24-Hour Rate | Nightsaver |
|---|---|---|
| Day Rate | 34.75c/kWh | 37.10c/kWh |
| Night Rate | 34.75c/kWh | 18.30c/kWh |
| Standing Charge | €250.77/yr | €328.58/yr |
| Estimated Annual Bill | €1,455 | €1,361 |
You need to shift at least 27% of your electricity usage to the night-rate window before savings outweigh the higher standing charge and daytime rate. Night rate meters are free to install through ESB Networks, but the additional standing charge applies from day one.
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Nightsaver vs Smart Meter: What Is the Difference?
With the rollout of smart meters across Ireland, many households now have a choice between the traditional nightsaver meter and newer smart meter time-of-use (ToU) tariffs. Here is how they compare:
| Feature | Nightsaver Meter | Smart Meter ToU |
|---|---|---|
| Rate periods | 2 (day & night) | 3 (day, night & peak) |
| Night hours | 9 hours | 7–9 hours (varies by supplier) |
| Peak period | None | Typically 5–7 pm (higher rate) |
| Meter reading | Manual / estimated | Automatic (every 30 min) |
| EV-specific plans | No | Yes — ultra-cheap boost rates available |
| Installation cost | Free | Free (ESB Networks programme) |
If you already have a smart meter, you can access smart meter plans with three rate bands. These plans tend to offer even cheaper night rates but introduce a peak surcharge in the early evening. For households that can avoid peak-hour usage, smart meter plans often outperform a nightsaver tariff.
How Do I Make Savings With Night Time Electricity?
To make a nightsaver meter worthwhile, you need to shift approximately 27% of your daily consumption to the off-peak hours. The average Irish household uses about 11.8 kWh per day, meaning you need at least 3 kWh of usage during the cheaper night window. Here are the most common appliances and their typical consumption:
| Appliance | Typical Consumption |
|---|---|
| Tumble dryer | 4 kWh per load |
| Immersion cylinder | 4 kWh (40-minute cycle) |
| Washing machine | 2.3–6.3 kWh per load |
| Dishwasher (A++) | 1 kWh per short cycle |
| Power shower | 2 kWh (10 minutes) |
| Electric shower | 1 kWh (10 minutes) |
| Electric blanket | 1 kWh average per night |
| Electric kettle | 0.25 kWh (5 minutes) |
The simplest approach is to use delay-start timers on your washing machine and dishwasher so they run after midnight, and to set your immersion heater on a timer during nightsaver hours. For more energy-saving tips, see our dedicated guide.
What Is a Night Rate Electricity Meter?
A night rate meter (also called a dual-register meter or NightSaver meter) tracks your electricity consumption across two separate time periods. This allows your supplier to bill you at a lower rate for energy used at night and a higher rate during the day. Installation is carried out free of charge by ESB Networks once your supplier submits a request.
Two Meter Readings When Switching to a Nightsaver Tariff
When you switch to a nightsaver plan, your supplier will need two separate meter readings — one for the day register and one for the night register. Make sure to provide both when submitting your reading or when switching supplier.
Changing Your Mind About a Night Rate Meter
Advantages
- Night rate can be up to 50% cheaper than the daytime rate
- Free installation through ESB Networks
- Ideal for storage heaters, immersion heaters, and EV charging
- Nine-hour off-peak window every night of the year
Disadvantages
- Higher daytime unit rate than a standard 24-hour meter
- Higher standing charge to cover the dual-register meter
- €200 fee to revert to a standard meter
- Only saves money if 27%+ of usage is shifted to night hours
Are There Night Rates for Pay-As-You-Go Customers?
Yes. Several pay-as-you-go (PAYG) electricity suppliers offer nightsaver tariffs. However, the unit rates on PAYG plans are generally higher than bill-pay equivalents, and the standing charges tend to be steeper. Prepay Power and Pinergy both support nightsaver meters on their prepay plans.
If you are currently on a PAYG meter and want to explore cheaper pay-as-you-go options, compare the total annual cost (including standing charges) rather than just the unit rates.
Is Night Rate Electricity Recommended for EV Charging?
Electric vehicle charging consumes 40–60 kWh per full charge, making EV owners ideal candidates for night rate plans. Charging overnight on a nightsaver tariff can cost as little as €5–8 per full charge compared with €10–15 during the day. Two main options are available:
- Nightsaver meter: Provides a full 9-hour window — more than enough to charge most EVs from empty to full using a home wall box.
- Smart meter EV tariffs: Offer three rate bands with ultra-cheap “boost” periods (typically 2–5 am) that can be up to 50% cheaper than even the standard night rate.
If you already have a smart meter, dedicated EV tariffs from providers such as SSE Airtricity and Energia can be even better value. However, if you do not yet have a smart meter, the nightsaver setup is a reliable and proven way to cut your EV charging costs. Learn more about EV charging stations in Ireland.
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Is Night Rate Electricity Recommended for Heating?
Heating represents the single largest energy expense in most Irish homes. Night rate plans can significantly reduce heating costs when combined with the right equipment. Below we look at the two most common use cases.
Night Rate Electricity and Storage Heaters
Storage heaters (also called heat banks) contain ceramic bricks that absorb heat overnight and release it gradually during the day. They are specifically designed to take advantage of nightsaver tariffs. Running storage heaters on a 24-hour flat rate would be prohibitively expensive, so a night rate meter is essential if you rely on this type of heating.
For more on the cheapest way to heat your home, including heat pumps and gas boilers, see our comprehensive comparison.
Night Rate Electricity and Immersion Heaters
Immersion heaters benefit from overnight heating, giving you a full tank of hot water each morning at the cheaper rate. Set the immersion timer to run for the amount of time needed before the nightsaver window ends — typically 1–2 hours is sufficient for a standard cylinder — rather than leaving it on all night, which wastes energy.
Conclusion
Night rate electricity remains a smart choice for Irish households that can shift a significant portion of their usage to off-peak hours. Whether you heat your home with storage heaters, rely on an immersion for hot water, or charge an electric vehicle overnight, a nightsaver meter can deliver meaningful annual savings.
However, with the rapid rollout of smart meters, it is worth comparing nightsaver tariffs against smart meter time-of-use plans before committing. Smart plans offer even more granular pricing and, for some households, can outperform the traditional two-rate nightsaver setup.