When is it a good time to submit a meter reading?

To avoid estimated bills, submit your meter reading 1 to 5 days before the start of your 'next bill between' date. If you miss this window, your bill will depend on ESB Networks (for electricity) or Gas Networks Ireland (for gas) to read your meter. However, the networks are only required to read your meter 4 times a year, so if they don’t, your bill will be based on an estimate.

To check your 'next bill between' date, sign in to your online account and select the account you wish to view. On your accounts page, you'll see three tiles. The middle tile confirms a date range of when you should expect your next bill to issue.

In the example image below, this customer expects to have their next bill issue between 13 October and 2 November. A good time for this customer to submit their reading would be between 8 October and 12 October.

^{The figures shown in the image above are for illustrative purposes only.}

If the read is submitted during this time and is accepted by ESB Networks and/or Gas Networks Ireland, it will be used on your next bill. 

You can still submit a read outside of this window, but this read may not be used on your next bill and your next bill may be based on an estimated read. However, every meter reading helps make your future bills more accurate.

In case of a price change during your billing period, the usage on the bill will be split on a pro-rata basis, depending on the number of days in the billing period.

Smart meter customers

If you've a smart meter installed and a connection with ESB Networks has been established, you'll no longer need to provide regular electricity meter readings, as the meter will communicate directly with ESB Networks. For more information, see What happens once my smart meter is installed?

Helpful tips

• We send email reminders when it's an ideal time to submit your reading. To make sure you receive these emails, sign in to your online account, click on Profile, and select email under the ‘Marketing preferences’ section.
• Set a reminder on your phone or calendar to submit your reading 1 to 5 days before your 'next bill between' date starts.