Umair Gaines
In Ireland, the cheapest time to use electricity depends on the type of meter and tariff you have. If you have a smart meter, you can opt for a smart tariff, where electricity is cheaper at night and off-peak times but more expensive during the day. With a Night Saver Meter and tariff, electricity is also cheaper at night, almost half the standard rate, but this is offset by a higher daytime unit cost. To benefit from cheaper night rates, you need to use a significant amount of electricity during these hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheapest time of day for electricity in Ireland | Night |
| How to get cheaper electricity at night | Get a night meter installed and sign up for a "Night Saver" tariff |
| Cheapest electricity supplier in Ireland (as of August 2025) | Yuno Energy |
| Estimated annual bill with Yuno Energy | €1,231.43 |
| Night rate timings in summer | 12:00 AM to 9:00 AM |
| Night rate timings in winter | 11:00 PM to 8:00 AM |
| Smart meter plans | Home Electric+ |
| Smart tariff | Lower rates at night and during off-peak times but higher rates during the day |
| Peak rate timings for smart tariff | 5 pm to 7 pm |
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What You'll Learn
Night Saver tariffs
In Ireland, a Night Saver Meter is a type of meter that helps you track your electricity consumption during the night versus the day. A Night Saver Meter is free to install. You can call your electricity supplier to request one, and they will arrange for ESB Networks to install it in your house.
A Night Saver tariff will only benefit you if you use a significant amount of electricity at night. Homes with electric storage heaters, electric car chargers, and heat pumps will usually use more electricity at night. A Night Saver tariff will be cheaper for you to use electricity at night, charging a lower unit rate during the night (almost half the standard rate). However, the lower night rates are offset by a higher day unit cost and a bigger standing charge.
The times of the cheaper night-time electricity rates run from:
11 pm-8 am in Winter months (End of October to end of March)
12:00 am-9 am in the Summer months (April to end of October)
As of August 2025, the cheapest night rate electricity in Ireland is Yuno Energy, with an annual estimated bill of €1,231.43.
With the continued rollout of smart meters to homes in Ireland, more and more energy providers are now starting to offer smart electricity tariffs that offer some of the same benefits as night rate electricity tariffs. A smart electricity tariff offers three rates: a day rate, a peak rate, and a night rate.
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Smart tariffs
Dynamic tariffs are a more advanced type of smart plan, updating prices daily or even hourly based on real-time wholesale energy rates. To benefit from a smart tariff, you will need to be able to shift your electricity usage to off-peak times, particularly at night. This can be a great option for those with electric cars, storage heaters, or heat pumps.
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Smart meters
Smart tariffs typically offer three rates: a day rate, a peak rate, and a night rate. The night rate is usually cheaper than the standard 24-hour rate, but this is offset by a higher day unit cost and a bigger standing charge. To make the most savings on a smart tariff, you need to shift your electricity usage to night-time hours. For example, you could run appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines at night, and charge your electric vehicle (EV) overnight.
There are a variety of smart meter plans available in Ireland, with different suppliers offering different rates. Some plans are better suited to those who can shift their energy usage to off-peak times, while others offer a flat rate throughout the day and night. Dynamic tariffs are a more advanced type of smart plan, as they update prices daily or hourly based on real-time wholesale energy rates.
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Night rates
In Ireland, electricity is not automatically cheaper for everyone at night or during off-peak times. However, if you have a night meter installed and are signed up to a "Night Saver" tariff with your electricity supplier, your electricity rate per kWh will be cheaper at night. The same is true for smart meters; you will need to opt-in for a "smart tariff" to benefit from cheaper rates at night.
The times of the cheaper night-time electricity rates on a Night Saver tariff run from 11 pm to 8 am in the winter months (end of October to end of March) and midnight to 9 am in the other months (April to end of October). On a smart tariff, the night rate is applied between the hours of 11 pm and 8 am.
To benefit from cheaper night rates, you will need to shift a significant portion of your electricity usage to night-time hours. This may include having electric heating systems, electric vehicle charging requirements, or the ability to schedule energy-intensive tasks during the night.
If you have a storage heater, you should consider signing up for a night rate electricity plan. Storage heaters are designed to work while you sleep at night and accumulate thermal energy, which is then slowly released during the day as heat.
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Peak rates
In Ireland, there are different tariffs for electricity, and the rates depend on the time of day. The peak rate is typically between 5 pm and 7 pm. During this time, electricity is the most expensive.
If you have a smart meter installed, you can opt for a "smart tariff". While the rates during the day are slightly more expensive than the standard tariff rates, the rates at night time and off-peak times will be lower. The peak rates between 5 pm and 7 pm will be even more expensive than the daytime rates. However, you will only save money on a smart tariff if you switch some of your daytime electricity usage to the hours between 11 pm and 8 am.
The Normal Tariff is a standard pricing structure with a consistent unit rate throughout the day, regardless of usage time. It does not differentiate between peak and off-peak hours, so the same rate is always applicable. This tariff is generally suitable for individuals or households with relatively stable energy consumption patterns who do not prefer time-based savings.
The NightSaver Tariff, on the other hand, offers different rates for electricity usage during specific off-peak hours, typically at night. Lower rates apply during the NightSaver Tariff's designated off-peak hours, which are usually from 11 pm to 8 am in the winter months and midnight to 9 am in the summer months. Homes with electric storage heaters, electric car chargers, and heat pumps will usually use more electricity at night and can benefit from the NightSaver Tariff.
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Frequently asked questions
The cheapest time to use electricity in Ireland is at night, typically from 12:00 AM to 9:00 AM during the summer and 11:00 PM to 8:00 AM in the winter.
To get cheaper electricity at night in Ireland, you need to have a night meter installed and be signed up to a "Night Saver" tariff with your electricity supplier.
A Night Saver tariff offers different rates for electricity usage during specific off-peak hours, typically at night. Lower rates are applied during the off-peak hours, while higher rates are charged during peak hours.
A Smart Tariff is an option for those with Smart Meters installed in their homes. It offers three rates: a day rate, a peak rate, and a night rate. While a Night Saver tariff offers cheaper electricity rates at night, a Smart Tariff's night rates are slightly more expensive. However, the daytime unit rates on a Smart Tariff are lower than the daytime rates on a Night Saver tariff.
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