‘Infuriated’ Irish homeowners warn against installing smart electric meters as bills soar

A number of “infuriated” Irish householders have warned against installing smart electric meters, claiming that their bills have increased since installing their meters.

Online influencer Cat of Castlequarter House took to social media to express frustration at her rising bills.

She posted a picture of her bill for the month of February, which stood at €515.88.

She reacted to the bill, by saying: “This is for one month. We don’t have the heating on all that much.

“We have a smart meter and I swear to God, it’s not right. I think they just pick the figures from the air.”

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She went on to express her annoyance at her rising bills and warned her followers against installing underfloor heating.

“I’m so angry. I’m actually ‘hopping’ about our ESB bill. If anyone is going building a house, do not and I repeat, do not get underfloor heating.

“Like oh my God, it is just not sustainable, it is just economical, and it’s not affordable.”

Cat said she has got “hundreds” of messages from followers who have also experienced rising bills after installing a smart meter.

She continued: “There is a direct correlation between smart meters and sky-rocketed ESB bills. I’ve done stories on this before - year on year it’s the same crap.

“I’m so angry because this is for nothing other than to line other people’s pockets because all of these companies are making profits hand over fist and the hard working person of Ireland is the one who’s suffering.”

She outlined the work she and her partner Ciaran have done to try and make their house as energy efficient as possible.

“We have done absolutely everything in our power because this is a new build house. We have 150ml of insulation in the walls.

“We have really good insulation on the floor. We put insulation in the roof. We have insulated plasterboard, we have air tightness tape, we have spray foam in the attic.

“I mean, I couldn’t have made this any more economical if I absolutely tried and still we’re getting an ESB bill of €550 for one month.”

She concluded that there has to be a correlation between the smart meters and the rising bills, given the number of her followers who are facing the same problems.

“Like one of my worst decisions in life was to put a smart meter in this house. 100 per cent it’s linked to the smart meters and you can’t say, Cat, it’s not when literally everybody replies back and says ‘my electricity bills were fine’.

“I had underfloor heating, I had x, y and z. I changed to a smart meter and my electricity bills have doubled.

“Like how can that be? How can it be the same story across everybody and nothing is being done about it.”

In response to these comments, an ESB spokesperson said that the smart meters don’t impact customers’ electricity readings.

They stated: “When ESB Networks upgrades an electricity meter, it takes a final reading from the old meter and an opening reading from the new one.

“These are sent directly to the registered supplier. This ensures the supplier has an accurate record of the customer's energy use so they are only billed for the electricity actually used.

“The upgrade doesn't affect a customer's tariff, account details or how the usage is recorded.”

They went on to encourage anyone who is confused over their bills to get in touch with their electricity supplier.

“Where customers have concerns about the accuracy of their bills or meter readings they should engage with their supplier, who will advise on a number of steps.

“These include an in-depth check of the historical consumption versus that recorded by the new smart meter and potentially the temporary installation of a check meter.”

The ESB said that in many cases, the rising bills relate to other issues, such as the rising cost of electricity generally.

“For background, in some cases where such investigations have taken place, the issues turn out to be more general and incorrectly linked to the installation of the smart meter.

“For example, electricity tariffs have increased significantly over the last four years while we have been installing the new meters.

“ESB Networks and suppliers investigate all such issues raised and will continue to do so.”

There has also been some discussion online surrounding the ESB’s replacement of smart meters that in some cases, were only installed five years ago.

The spokesperson issued a response to this, explaining why such meters are being replaced.

They stated: “In fulfilling its wider responsibility to manage and maintain all network assets, ESB Networks ensure that electricity meters are regularly maintained and upgraded.

“This ongoing programme guarantees that meters continue to meet the operational and regulatory needs of the market.

“Meter upgrades are carried out on a rolling basis and are included in the CRU's PR6 determination that was published in December.

“ESB Networks ensures this is done in the most economic and efficient manner, which has resulted in us commencing this work early in 2026.”

The spokesperson concluded by saying the ESB will continue to provide Irish customers with the latest technology.

They added that such technology allows the ESB to respond more efficiently to service disruptions.