Compare Ireland's Cheapest Smart Electricity Providers with Selectra Today!
Call our Selectra agents today for expert and trusted advice on switching electricity providers and make sure that you are getting the cheapest deal on smart electricity prices. Figures quoted do not include cashback offers and are available for direct debit payment.
As of December 2024, Flogas has the cheapest smart electricity in Ireland for €1,149.91 a year on an Urban meter. Smart meter plans give homeowners the opportunity to better manage their electricity consumption by offering three different rates, a day rate, night rate and a peak rate. This allows people to manage their home electricity use in a way that helps them save money by taking advantage of off-peak and night rates. If you are looking to switch electricity provider, you can call 📞(01) 913 1771.
What Is the Best Smart Meter Plan in Ireland?
Given the range of smart meter plans that are now on offer from Irish electricity suppliers, choosing the best plan for you will depend on several factors, including:
Smart meter plans offer three unit rates for different times of the day and are referred to as Time-of-Use (ToU) tariffs.
The three unit rate periods are:
Day: 8am to 11pm
Peak: 5pm to 7pm
Night: 11pm to 8am
In addition to the standard Time-of-Use tariffs, providers also offer more tailored smart meter plans that can better suit the individual needs of consumers:
Smart Meter Plans
Plan Type
Structure
Good For
Standard Time-of-Use
Night (cheap): 11pm – 8am Peak (expensive): 5pm – 7pm Day (mid-price): 8am – 11am ex. Peak
Night usage and workers
EV (aka "Night Boost")
Same as Time-of-Use + EV rate (very low): 2am – 4/5/6am
Charging electric cars & batteries
Weekend Smart Tariff
Same as Time-of-Use with free electricity on Saturday and Sunday
Families with high mid-week consumption
Who Has the Cheapest Smart Meter Plan?
As of December 2024, Flogas has the cheapest smart electricity in Ireland for €1,149.91 a year on an Urban meter.
Given that smart meter plans are designed to give people more control over the cost of their electricity consumption, it can be difficult to estimate an annual bill when individuals habits will differ from home to home.
However, if you switch to a smart meter plan and don't make a concerted effort to change your consumption habits, the high peak hour unit rates could see you spending more than if you had stayed on a standard electricity plan.
Below you will find a breakdown of the cheapest smart plan deals on offer at the moment based on a national average consumption rate of 4,200 kWh per year.
Smart meter rates calculated according to latest rates published by suppliers with applied discounts. Calculations made by Selectra, actual supplier offers may vary. Last Updated: December 2024
Are There Smart Meter Gas Plans?
At the moment, there are only smart meter plans available for electricity customers. You can combine a smart electricity plan with a standard gas plan as part of a dual fuel tariff, but only the electricity can be on a time-of-use tariff.
Are Smart Meter Plans Cheaper Than Standard Meter Plans?
In theory, smart meter plans can be cheaper than a standard meter plan, as they reward those who can shift their consumption to off-peak times.
Despite this, given the variety of factors that influence an individuals' electricity bill, switching to a smart meter plan could end up costing you more if you do not make the effort to take advantage of off-peak hours.
The table below compares the current cheapest standard meter plans from each of the top three providers against their cheapest smart meter plan.
The smart meter plans on average are cheaper than the standard meter plans, but this is based on an average consumption and doesn't accurately reflect the saving potential of the smart meter plans:
⚡ Standard vs Smart Price Plans
Provider
🕧 24hr
💡 Smart Plan
€1,242.95
€1,169.14
€1,257.40
€1,227.56
€1,270.59
€1,160.03
Smart meter rates calculated according to latest rates published by suppliers with applied discounts. Calculations made by Selectra, actual supplier offers may vary. Last Updated: December 2024
Pros and Cons of a Smart Meter Plan
Savings Potential: Cheaper off-peak unit rates can help you save money
Detailed Usage Insight: Detailed information from your smart meter can help you lower consumption of high use appliances at peak hours.
Requires habit changes: To take full advantage, you need to adjust your usage habits.
High cost peak rates: Peak rate prices can be very high.
Pros and Cons of a Standard Meter Plan
Single rate: A single rate makes budgeting easier.
No peak rates: No risk of expensive costs during busy times of the day.
Less control over costs: With no cheaper off-peak rates, you could spend more money overall.
High cost for night charging: If you are an EV owner, charging your car at night can be expensive.
How Do I Compare Smart Meter Plans?
Before switching to a smart meter plan, it's important to ask yourself if the benefits of these plans are worth it and would allow you to save on home energy bills:
Is A Smart Meter Plan Right for Me?
When do I use most electricity? (e.g. evenings, weekends)
If you think you use a lot of electricity during the day and in particular during the evening after work/school, then maybe a smart meter plan may not be the best fit for you.
On the contrary, if you are someone who spends most of the day outside your home and whose consumption is largely contained to the evenings and weekends, then the savings potential of a smart meter plan may be making the switch for.
Think Very Carefully Before Switching to a Smart Meter Plan
Once you switch to a smart meter plan, your smart meter will be activated, and you will not be able to change back to a standard meter plan at any time. If you are not sure about the benefits of a smart meter plan, stay on a standard rate plan until you are 100% certain you want to switch.
Do Smart Meter Plans Have Standing Charges?
As with standard meters, smart meter plans also have standing charges that vary in price between supplier.
The average cost of a standing charge can range from €250 to €350 per year, depending on whether you live in an urban or rural area.
When comparing plans, while a supplier may offer a cheaper unit rate, it's important to look at the cost of the standing charge as this may be higher than other suppliers who offer slightly more expensive unit rates.
Changing your consumption habits to take advantage of off-peak unit rate prices is something you can control, whereas the standing charge is a fixed cost applied automatically to your bill.
How Do I Get the Most Savings from my Smart Meter Plan?
To get the most from a smart meter plan, you will need to try and make some changes to the way you consume electricity at home.
⚡ Saving on Smart Meter Plans: The Essentials
Here are some tips to make the most of your smart meter plan:
Download your usage data from the ESB to see where and when you are using most electricity to see where you can make changes.
Try and run more expensive appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines at night.
Charge your EV overnight.
Reduce your use of high consumption appliances at peak hours such as ovens, showers and cookers.
Avail of home improvement grants to reduce overall energy consumption at home and reduce costs.
Learn More About Energy SavingOur energy guide articles contain lots of useful information on saving energy, lowering costs and having a more positive impact on the environment.
The services and products mentioned on this website may only represent a small selection of the options available to you. Selectra encourages you to carry out your own research and seek advice if necessary before making any decisions. We may receive commission from selected partner providers on sales of some products and/or services mentioned within this website. Our website is free to use, and the commission we receive does not affect our opinion or the information we provide.
Click to Start Saving
Our Energy Experts Are Here to Help You Save Money with Selectra!
⭐ Price comparison service to help you save money on your energy bills
⭐ Personalised and professional advice from our energy experts
*Our energy experts, who specialise in the Irish energy market, are trained representatives of Selectra.ie and offer a free of charge, price comparison service.
Our Call Centre Is Currently Closed, But You Can Still Talk To One Of Our Energy Expert.
Click Here To Request a Free Callback Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm and One of Our Agents Will Be In Contact With You
*Our energy experts, who specialise in the Irish energy market, are trained representatives of Selectra.ie and offer a free of charge, price comparison service.