What is a Smart meter?
A Smart meter is a clever new gas or electricity meter that automatically sends meter readings to us.
That means no more torch lit meter readings, no more estimated bills* and a much better chance of saving money on your energy – good news all round.
*Unless there's a problem collecting a reading
How do Smart meters work?
A Smart meter records the energy you use and sends it to us and to a handheld Smart energy display in your home. Put your Smart energy display somewhere where you can keep an eye on it and it’ll give you an idea of what you’re paying for your energy and, hopefully, help you see where you could save money.
There are 3 parts to your new Smart meter system:
Smart gas meter
Smart electricity meter
Smart Energy Display
Smart meters are better for everyone
You'll know what you’re spending on energy each day in pounds and pence. You'll also be able to see where you could use less.We’ll take readings remotely to help keep your bills accurate so you only pay for what you use.*
We’ll be able to help you find ways to save energy and money.
Replacing your old gas and electricity meters with new Smart meter technology is an important step forward in upgrading the UK’s aging energy system and tackling climate change.
*We may need to estimate your bill if there's a problem collecting a reading.
Make your Smart meter work better for you
Your Smart meter records the energy you use and sends us the data once a day unless you choose otherwise.
Daily
Your Smart meter is pre-set to send us readings every day.
Half-hourly
By upgrading to half-hourly reads, you can see how your energy use fluctuates throughout the day and, hopefully, where you could save money.
Monthly
To ensure you get accurate bills, we need to collect a reading from your Smart meter at least once a month.
*You'll only receive an estimated bill if there's a problem collecting a reading.
You’ll need an online account to make use of some of our features. .
Are Smart meters free?
We're replacing the meters in all our customers' homes as part of a nationwide replacement programme, and there's no extra cost for this.Everyone pays for their current meter and its maintenance through their energy bills. The same is true for Smart meters.
Are Smart meters compulsory?
Installing Smart meters is a government initiative and one of the biggest national upgrades ever undertaken in the UK.
It's not compulsory, but everyone in the UK will be offered a Smart meter and Ofgem require suppliers to ensure as many meters as possible are upgraded by 2020. Smart meter installation is the first step in replacing the UK's aging energy system, now almost at capacity, with a new Smart energy infrastructure.
There are also many benefits for you, including seeing exactly what energy you’re using, never having to read your meter again, and helping to see where you could cut your bills.
These links will help explain more:
