Smart meters are currently being rolled out across the country as part of a national upgrade. As the rollout continues, soon every home and business will have a new smart meter.
And when the smart meter arrives, Electric Ireland is ready to help users make the most of it. To get users started, here are five things to know about smart meters.
smart meters
That way users can control their electricity usage better, and find ways to reduce their bills
But first, what are smart meters? Smart meters are the next generation of digital electricity meters that will bring benefits to users, the environment, and the economy.
They use 2G technology (like mobile phone technology) to send a text message to the online dashboard every 30 minutes so that the user and the company know exactly how much and when the user uses the electricity. That way users can control their electricity usage better, and find ways to reduce their bills and carbon footprint.
5 things to know about smart meters
- 1. Use less, save more, and make better choices
By being able to view the electricity usage more clearly, users will be able to use less, save more, and make better choices for themselves, their homes, or businesses, and for Ireland’s energy future.
Smart meters enable the user to see which appliances use the most energy, and this allows them to help the user choose the best rate and find ways a user can reduce energy consumption overall. And the more homes and businesses that can do that, the better it’ll be for everyone.
- 2. No longer have to submit meter readings or get estimated bills
Another benefit of smart meters is that users will no longer have to manually submit meter readings, the smart reader will do that automatically for users. What’s more, this will give users a more accurate bill and significantly reduce the need for estimated bills or manual meter readings.
Saving user time, as well as money. Also, users will have the peace of mind knowing that user are only paying for exactly what they use and that the meter reflects the electricity users use. And, if all goes well, this will help to prevent bill shock too.
- 3. Don’t have to pay anything extra, it’s all included
The cost of installation has already been included as part of electricity bills nationwide, and when the new smart meter arrives it will be able to help users save money, and find ways to reduce their carbon footprint.
For example, it may show the user that the user should switch to one of the time-of-use price plans
For example, it may show the user that the user should switch to one of the time-of-use price plans so that the user can get cheaper, greener electricity at the night time rate, typically from 11 pm to 8 am.
Or, it may suggest a better plan for the user if the user has an EV (electric vehicle). Plus, all the normal rates, discounts, and bonuses continue to apply and won’t disappear after one year. So the user won’t be missing out on anything. Quite the opposite.
- 4. Seeing electricity usage in a whole new light
A smart meter not only opens ways for users to save more money, but it’ll also help users to understand what’s driving the consumption – to give users more control over the usage. And it’ll change everything about the way homes and businesses view and use their electricity.
For instance, with the new Home Electric+ plans, users will be able to enjoy added benefits to the electricity such as:
- Monthly billing on a date of the choice.
- Monthly email with bill prediction alerts.
- Biannual review to make sure users are on the best plan for users.
- Monitor the usage daily, weekly, or monthly with advanced energy insights.
- Peer-to-peer comparison and tips on where to save.
- Hints and tips on where users can use less electricity.
- Itemisation graphs to see which appliances use the most electricity.
- Normal bonuses and discounts apply.
Electricity plan
When the new smart meter arrives, simply go to the online Electric Ireland account and follow the simple steps there.
User’ll remain on the same rate as the current plan, and continue to enjoy a discount that doesn’t disappear after one year. It’s the electricity as users know it, only better. Much better. Find the right plan for the user:
- Home Electric+ helps users to better understand energy usage, use less electricity, and save money.
- Home Electric+ Night Boost offers a cheaper electricity rate at night when the user can charge the electric vehicle (EV) (11 pm-8 am) and a super cheap “boost” period from 2-4 am.
- Home Electric+ Weekender offers free electricity on Saturday or Sunday.
- Home Electric+ Standard Smart Tariff (SST) offers day/night/peak rates, and flexibility to suit the schedule.
- 5. Create a more sustainable, and greener future
As part of the national Climate Action Plan, ESB Networks is upgrading every electricity meter between the current time and 2024. From homes to farms and businesses, everyone will receive a new smart meter that will benefit users, the environment, and the economy.
Every smart meter will help the company become more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. They can help to show ways to reduce the carbon footprint. And they’ll help facilitate Ireland’s growing renewable energy network, smart grids, and the electrification of transport and heat. And the more of us that switch to making better choices with smart meters, the better it’ll be for the user, and Ireland because being brighter together.