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Smart meters measure how much gas and electricity you’re using and send those readings automatically to your energy supplier. They come with an in-home display screen which helps you monitor and reduce your energy usage. Arran has no mains gas but smart meters are useful to measure electricity usage here.
By the end of 2023, over 60% of homes in the UK had smart meters installed. The government has targets set for smart meters to be installed in over 74% of homes and 69% of small businesses by 2025. Chances are your energy supplier will offer your one within the next year or so if they have not already asked you.
There are two different models of smart meters
Of the 35 million smart meters installed across homes in Great Britain so far, about 21 million are SMETS 2 meters. A further 12 million SMETS 1 meters have been upgraded to restore smart functionality.
- SMETS 1: This is the first generation of smart meter technology, known as SMETS 1 (‘Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications’). They communicate with your supplier over the 3G network. When you switch energy supplier, it’s unlikely the new supplier will be able to pick up that communication, so they’ll still work as basic meters but they’ll go ‘dumb’ and lose some functionality.
These are no longer being installed, and there is an ongoing plan in place to upgrade those already installed to restore lost functionality and enable them to remain ‘smart’ if you switch in future. For full info, see Can I switch with smart meters? - SMETS 2: If you’ve had smart meters installed over the last few years, or you’re set to get them, you’ll have a second-generation SMETS 2 meter. These use their own communications systems via a central data network to which all suppliers have access. So when you switch, your new supplier should be able to see your usage and meter readings, and your in-home display should show you your usage with the new supplier’s costs.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/smart-meters
How do smart meters work?
A smart meter has two main elements:
- The meter – which uses a secure network to send your readings directly to your supplier at least once a month. This is done automatically for you, which means you no longer have to submit meter readings, however this option is still available if you would like to take your own meter readings.
- The in-home display unit – this unit shows you what energy you are using and how much it costs. You should see near real time readings for electricity.
Benefits of a smart meter
- More accurate bills – Smart meters mean an end to estimated and sometimes inaccurate bills. Your energy supplier will only have an accurate reading of your energy usage, so you’ll only be paying for how much energy you use.
- Lower energy consumption – A smart meter supports you with reducing your energy usage as you are able to see and understand how your energy usage. Thus you are better able to manage it. That means lower bills and a lower carbon footprint.
- Access to Smart Tariffs – having access to a smart meter means you can have access to advanced time of use tariffs.
- These tariffs lower energy costs at specific times of the day, offer access to free energy hours, and may even pay you to use electricity at certain times.
- On windy days, wind farms generate excess energy that the grid can’t store. Instead of wasting it, the grid passes it to customers during specific times. During these periods, electricity is either free or you may get paid to use it. These free sessions which can last from 1-3 hours are the perfect time to charge the car, run your heat pump or immersion heater, charge devices and power tools, hoover and run the washing machine, dishwasher etc!
- Help tackle the climate emergency – Smart meters help the energy networks balance the grid by providing more information about national energy consumption.
- Prepayment customers can top up without leaving home – there will no longer be the need to go to the shop or post office to prepay for any electricity.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to have a smart meter?
No, it’s not compulsory to have a smart meter installed. If you are offered one you can refuse. By refusing a smart meter you will have limited access to energy tariffs, and if your traditional meter is faulty or unsafe, you may not have much choice but to accept a smart meter.
You may be able to ask for your smart meter to be installed in ‘dumb mode’ which means it won’t have any smart functionality and will work as a traditional meter. However ‘dumb mode’ is not available to those on Economy 7 or similar tariffs where your meter must have access to different rates.
How do I get a smart meter?
Contact your energy provider and request to have a smart meter installed. They’ll arrange an appointment to install it or will let you know when they are in your area. Typically the appointment takes around 90 minutes, and you will be shown how to use it after it is installed.
How much does a smart meter cost?
Smart meters are free, and there is no upfront cost of installation. Your energy provider will recoup any costs through your energy bill over time.
Can I get one when I live somewhere with poor wifi and signal?
Yes, smart meters don’t connect to your WiFi; they use a standalone network. They send data via a wide area network (WAN) to the DCC servers. Mobile phone and radio masts make up the WAN. If you live in an area with poor signal, you will receive an alternative solution.
Can I get one on a pre-payment plan?
Yes, you can still get a smart meter on a pre-payment plan. It will work in pre-payment mode rather than credit mode.
I’m a tenant/renter – can I still get a smart meter?
Yes, even tenants can have a smart meter installed if the energy bill is in your name you can choose to have it installed. It is worth letting your landlord know you want to do this though. If the bill is in your landlord’s name, it is their decision, and you would need to get in touch with your landlord.
I have a smart meter already installed – do I need a new one?
Depending on the age of your smart meter, you may need to have a replacement fitted before mid 2025. This is due to the meter not meeting the technical specifications required by the UK Government.
If you need to upgrade your meter, your energy supplier will get in touch with you. They will install or upgrade your meter at no cost to you.
I am having issues with my smart meter, what can I do?
If your smart meter doesn’t seem to be working, contact your energy supplier.
Are smart meters linked to smart heating controls?
No, they are different from smart heating controls. Smart heating controls give you more control over your heating, in general you can do one without the other.
Radio Teleswitch Service
In June 2025, the Radio Teleswitch Service will come to an end. The Smart Meter Network Switch is one of the largest infrastructure upgrades in Britain’s Energy System.
The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) is generally used by older types of meters to ‘speak’ to their respective suppliers. RTS allows homeowners and businesses to use electricity tariffs that typically include cheaper rates around off-peak times. Common tariffs on an RTS meter include Total Heat, Total Control and Economy 7 and 10.
You can read more about the change here.
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