What is a smart meter?
Do I have to pay for a smart meter?
How do I upgrade to a smart meter?
My energy supplier can’t provide me with a smart meter
I have a smart meter with my current supplier, what happens if I switch supplier?
What is a smart meter?
A smart meter is an electric meter in your home that records your energy usage and sends this to your energy supplier through a secure wireless network, allowing accurate and up-to-date billing. This may help you to save time, as you no longer need to read and send your meter readings manually.
Each smart meter installation also comes with an in-home display. This is a small device you can place in your home that shows you how much energy you’re using. It can help you save money, as it lets you understand your energy usage and gives you more info on how much your energy is costing you on a daily basis.
Smart meters and installation are totally free. Your supplier will contact you when you can get one, or you can contact them to request one.
Do I have to pay for a smart meter?
No, smart meters come at no extra cost. Energy meters are being upgraded throughout the UK, so it’ll be a shared cost that’ll be paid through consumer energy bills, similar to how previous meters were paid for.
How do I upgrade to a smart meter?
Energy suppliers have already started to offer smart meters for their customers, so you should be contacted by them soon. If not, you can request one by contacting them directly.
If they’re able to install one in your home, they’ll arrange a day and time to come over and install it. Just make sure someone over the age of 18 is at home.
My energy supplier can’t provide me with a smart meter
There are a few reasons why you may have to wait to get a smart meter, including:
Energy suppliers are rolling them out in the most efficient way possible, so they may simply not have reached your area yet.
Poor signal strength in your area may mean the smart meters won’t work if one’s installed
There may be other reasons, but installations for smart meters have already begun and energy suppliers have until the end of 2020 to offer you one. For more information about getting a smart meter in your household, contact your energy supplier.
I have a smart meter with my current supplier, what happens if I switch supplier?
This depends on what smart meter you have. They don't all work with each different supplier, so you should contact your new supplier to find out if your smart meter would work with them.
Energy suppliers have already started to offer smart meters for their customers, so you should be contacted by them soon. If not, you can request one by contacting them directly.
If they’re able to install one in your home, they’ll arrange a day and time to come over and install it. Just make sure someone over the age of 18 is at home.