Consumers struggle to choose new types of electricity tariffs, but comparison tools can help1. ESRI Research Bulletin March 2020/06

The introduction of smart meters in Ireland will soon allow consumers to choose new types of electricity tariffs. Time-of-use tariffs charge different prices for electricity at different times of the day. While these tariffs can help consumers save money on their energy bills, their introduction will make energy tariff choices in Ireland more complicated. In collaboration with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), the ESRI’s Behavioural Research Unit undertook a controlled behavioural experiment with a sample of the Irish consumers, to explore their tariff choices. It tested how likely consumers will be to choose new tariffs over existing and simpler tariffs, as well as testing their ability to choose the best tariff for their own electricity usage. The study also pre-tested online tools designed to help consumers make better energy choices