Bord Gáis Energy has launched new plans for the 250,000 households across the country that have smart meters installed.
The plans will offer customers free electricity between 9am and 5pm on either Saturdays or Sundays.
A 'discount weekend plan' will also be available, which will give customers a night rate all weekend, meaning lower energy costs from 11pm on Friday, right through to 8am on Monday.
Smart meters are currently being installed across the country by ESB Networks.
The aim is to upgrade all of the 2.3 million electricity meters to smart meters by 2024, meaning 500,000 meters will need to be installed each year to reach that target.
Bord Gáis Energy said the smart plans launched today will give customers access to more information about their energy consumption, which it said will in turn improve energy efficiency and lead to cost savings.
The company’s smart bills will provide customers with graphs comparing energy usage year-on-year, as well as tips to help manage electricity.
According to the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU), early smart meter trials showed that households were able to reduce their consumption by up to 2.5% on average, with some families reducing their energy consumption by up to 9% during peak times.
Colin Bebbington, Retail Director at Bord Gáis Energy said the company is committed to helping customers transition to smarter energy.
"Our smart plans will give our customers more control over their energy, providing flexibility and insight.
"By offering different energy prices for different times, we're giving customers more power and choice around their energy usage, that suits their lifestyles," he said.
