new build electricity connection and meter

[Muldoon]

Hi,

I am in the process of getting a first electricity connection for our new build. According to the ESB I must have registered with an electricity supplier before they can finish the connection, and that they will be installing a smart meter

I was going to sign up to Electric Ireland's Home Electric + Saver 24% (24 hour flat rate) for the first year but according to Electric Ireland I cannot sign up to smart meter plans as there is no smart meter (no meter at all) at the property. Instead they suggested a standard meter based flat tariff.

Just wondering if anyone knows if this is in fact the reality of it, that I must sign up to a standard meter based plan until the connection is established and then ask if I can switch to a smart meter based tariff when connected?

Thanks

 

[ClubMan]

I was going to sign up to Electric Ireland's Home Electric + Saver 24% (24 hour flat rate) for the first year but according to Electric Ireland I cannot sign up to smart meter plans as there is no smart meter (no meter at all) at the property. Instead they suggested a standard meter based flat tariff

If that's what they say then presumably that's either their policy or common to all electricity providers? Why not just sign up to their standard tariff on an open ended (i.e. not a 12 month contract) basis and then you can switch to a smart tariff once the smart meter has been installed? You're unlikely to run up much of a bill on the standard tariff in the meantime I presume?

 

[Muldoon]

Thanks Clubman, I'll look into the open ended contract