Issue #002 of The Current — your weekly read for Irish homeowners. Published 9 June 2026.
Welcome back to The Current — your weekly round-up of what's happening for Irish homeowners. This week: a brand-new way to cut your electricity bill, a summer grant opportunity many people are missing, and some ideas for making the most of those longer evenings.
The Smart Meter Switch That Could Cut Your Bill — Starting Now
As of June 1st, Ireland's five biggest electricity suppliers — Electric Ireland, SSE Airtricity, Bord Gáis, Energia, and PrePay Power — are now required to offer a new type of electricity plan called a dynamic tariff. Most homeowners haven't heard of it yet.
Here's the simple version: instead of paying the same rate all day, a dynamic tariff charges you more when electricity is scarce and less when there's plenty — usually wind-heavy nights or off-peak periods. If you shift your washing machine, dishwasher, or EV charger to overnight, you could make a real saving.
What you need to switch:
- A smart meter installed (free from ESB Networks — call 1800 928 123)
- Good network signal at your meter (CTF score of 4)
- An online account with your electricity provider
- Then simply ask to switch to their dynamic tariff plan
Not everyone will save — if you use most electricity during peak hours, it may not suit you. But for households that can be flexible, this is the biggest change to how Irish electricity is priced in years.
SEAI Is Giving Away Up to €12,500 This Summer — Are You Claiming Yours?
With electricity prices heading up again in July, the SEAI's home retrofit grants have never made more sense — and summer is genuinely the best time to get the work done. Contractors are available, the weather helps, and you'll be sorted before the cold snap hits in October.
These grants are not means-tested — they're available to any homeowner regardless of income. You just need an SEAI-registered contractor. Apply at seai.ie.
| Upgrade | Grant Available |
|---|---|
| Heat pump (house) | Up to €12,500 |
| External wall insulation (detached) | Up to €8,000 |
| Windows (detached home) | Up to €4,000 |
| External doors (up to 2) | Up to €1,600 |
| Solar PV panels | Up to €1,800 |
Light Up Your Garden This Summer
We're finally into the long evenings — and with the right outdoor lighting, your garden or patio becomes a proper extension of your living space.
Garden Spotlight
Black GU10 LED Garden Spotlight with Spike & Surface Mount
Stake it into beds to highlight planting, or surface-mount it on a wall or step. Weatherproof and energy-efficient.
View product — €21.00
Security Lighting
Challenger 50W LED Floodlight with PIR Sensor — Black
A motion-activated floodlight is one of the simplest deterrents you can add with holidays coming up. Uses far less electricity than older halogen floodlights.
View product — from €45.68
Quick Reminder: Electric Ireland's 8% price rise kicks in on July 1st. If you haven't compared suppliers recently, it's worth 5 minutes on bonkers.ie. Switching is free and takes minutes.
The Current is a free weekly read for Irish homes — from the team at Shamrock Electrical Supplies, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin.