Solar Sid | Independent Solar PV & Energy Advice for Ireland

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{{:money-bills:esb-hdf-file-download.jpg|{{:ESB-HDF-File-Download.jpg?nolink&800|How to download your electricity usage file - ESB Networks}}

====== How to download your electricity usage file ======

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☕ **Help keep Solar Sid independent**

Hi, I'm Dale McWilliams (Solar Sid). This site has no ads and no installer sponsors — it's 100% independent. If the guides helped you, you can [[https://buymeacoffee.com/solarsid|buy me a coffee]] to help cover domain and hosting and keep it free for everyone.

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To find the best electricity provider for your specific needs, you can download your actual energy usage data from ESB Networks and upload it to Kilowatt.ie.

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💡 **Why you need this file:** This is the same HDF file our [[https://solarsid.eu/Irish-solar-calculator.html|Irish Solar Calculator]] uses. Getting your half-hourly data is the most accurate way to compare suppliers and calculate solar savings.
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===== 1. Download Your Data from ESB Networks =====

**Log In or Register:** Visit the ESB Networks Online Account portal. You will need your MPRN (found on your electricity bill) and a mobile number for two-factor authentication.

**Navigate to Consumption:** Once logged in, click on the "My energy consumption" section of your dashboard.

**Access Downloads:** Click on the "Downloads" option.

**Select Your File:** Choose the option for "30-minute readings" (either in kW or calculated kWh).

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⚠ **Important:** Do not select "daily" readings, as Kilowatt.ie requires half-hourly interval data to provide an accurate comparison.
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**Save the File:** Download the file and save it to your computer. Do not open or edit the file before uploading, as doing so can change the format and prevent the comparison tool from working correctly.

===== 2. Upload to Kilowatt.ie =====

**Open the Tool:** Navigate to the Kilowatt.ie electricity price comparison tool.

**Select Load Profile:** Under the "Load Profile" or "How would you like to compare electricity prices?" section, select "Upload Smart Meter Data".

**Upload the File:** Drag and drop your downloaded file into the designated box or click to select and upload it from your computer.

**Get Results:** The tool will then match your actual half-hourly usage against available tariffs to show you the most cost-effective options for your home.

===== Important Tips =====

    * **Data Availability:** It can take 36–48 hours for your most recent usage data to appear on your ESB Networks account.
    * **Accuracy:** Kilowatt.ie is designed to use up to 12 months of data to avoid seasonal bias. If your data contains fewer than 12 months, the tool will still work, though you may receive a warning that results could be slightly less accurate.

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☕ **Solar Sid's Tip:** Once you have this file, you can also upload it straight into my [[https://solarsid.eu/Irish-solar-calculator.html|Irish Solar Calculator]] to see exactly what solar + battery would save you on that usage.

**[[https://buymeacoffee.com/solarsid|☕ Buy Solar Sid a coffee to keep the site independent]]**
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