bonkers.ie is the only switching service accredited by the energy regulator that allows consumers to upload their smart meter data and get results based on their exact electricity usage.
At bonkers.ie, our mission has always been to make it as easy as possible for consumers to find the best deals and save money on their household bills. Whether it’s broadband, banking, or energy, we’re here to simplify the process and help you make informed decisions.
That’s why we’re delighted to announce an exciting new upgrade to our energy comparison service – one that makes it even easier for households across Ireland to find the most cost-effective electricity tariff.
Now, when switching electricity suppliers on bonkers.ie, you can upload a file containing your smart meter usage data, and we’ll provide you with savings figures based on your actual electricity consumption pattern in just seconds.
This means you’ll be matched with the smart tariff that works best for how and when you use your electricity – so no more estimates or guesswork.
Here’s how it works….
Upload your usage and unlock bigger savings
If you have a smart meter installed, you can access your electricity usage data by logging into your ESB Networks online account. From there, just follow these simple steps:
- Go to “My Energy Consumption”
- Click on the “Downloads” tab
- Download the first file in the list called “30-minute readings in kW”
Save the file to your computer, and when you use the energy comparison service on bonkers.ie, you’ll now have the option to upload it.
We’ll then analyse your consumption data in detail to show you personalised results, including which smart tariffs would save you the most money based exactly on when you use your electricity.
Note that you must have one year’s worth of data. But when you set up your ESB Networks account, you'll be able to see your data from when your smart meter was first installed (going back up to two years).
So if your smart meter was installed just under a year ago, let's say, and you only set up your account today, you'll still have almost a year's worth of data to see.
Why this matters...
With the rollout of smart meters across Ireland, energy suppliers now offer a growing range of smart electricity tariffs, also known as “time-of-use” tariffs.
These plans charge different rates for electricity depending on the time of day. These hours typically are:
- Peak time (5pm - 7pm): This is when electricity is the most expensive to use.
- Night time (11pm - 8am): This is usually the cheapest time to use electricity.
- Off-peak time: During these remaining hours, electricity is cheaper to use than during peak times though not as cheap as night time.
Some tariffs also offer ultra-low prices between around 2am and 4am designed especially for electric vehicle (EV) owners who want to charge their cars overnight.
And some tariffs even offer free electricity at certain hours during the weekend.
By uploading your usage data, bonkers.ie can identify the tariff that best matches your routine. So whether you're a night owl, an EV driver, someone who likes to do a lot of cleaning and laundry at the weekend, or are just trying to lower your bills through smarter habits, we can match you with the right tariff.
Got solar panels? We’ve got you covered!
If you have solar panels or another form of micro-generation installed, you may be earning money for exporting electricity back to the grid.
When you upload your smart meter data, we’ll also factor in the micro-generation rates being paid by different suppliers. This ensures you get the full picture when comparing deals – not just for what you use, but for what you generate and export too.
No more guesswork when switching energy supplier
With this new feature, bonkers.ie offers the most accurate energy comparison service in Ireland.
No more relying on rough estimates or annual averages – just real insights, tailored to your actual usage.
So if you’re ready to find the best deal for your electricity needs, log in to your ESB Networks account, download your smart meter data, and upload it to bonkers.ie.
Switch with regulatory confidence
bonkers.ie is one of only three energy comparison and switching websites in Ireland that are accredited by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) – the independent body responsible for overseeing energy suppliers and switching platforms.
Being accredited by the CRU means you can trust the information we show you when comparing energy deals and that we meet the CRU’s strict standards for accuracy, transparency, and independence.
Importantly, bonkers.ie is the only CRU-accredited site that allows users to upload their smart meter data for a personalised energy comparison based on their exact electricity usage – offering a level of precision and insight you won’t find anywhere else!
