Smart meter facts and myths

FACT: Smart meters are just as accurate as traditional meters. Smart meters offer near real-time data on your energy use, via the in-home display.  

Learn more about smart meter accuracy.

FACT: Smart meters only transmit information about how much energy you’ve used to your energy supplier. There is no smart meter conspiracy: smart meters are not spying on you. Does a smart meter need wifi? No, the wireless connection used to transmit your energy usage data doesn’t require the internet or broadband. 

Learn more about smart meter data and privacy.

FACT: Smart meters are installed at no extra cost to you. When it comes to smart meter installation costs, the truth is you don’t have to pay any additional costs for your smart meter to be installed. 

Learn more about the cost of smart meters.

FACT: Smart meters aim to put the consumer in control, and that means that people with smart meters have the same consumer protections as people with traditional meters. 

Learn more about consumer protections.

FICTION: You can’t change supplier with a smart meter. You might have heard people talk about not being able to change supplier as a disadvantage or downside of smart meters. But this is not true – you can change supplier with a smart meter. In fact, with a second-generation smart meter, you should be able to switch energy supplier without any interruption to your energy readings or bill payments. 

Learn more about changing supplier with a smart meter.

FICTION: There’s a radiation risk. You may have heard some concerns about smart meter radiation. But we’re here to put your mind at ease: the level of radiation that smart meter's produce is typically one million times less than guideline levels. This is lower than the levels of radiation produced by microwaves, TVs and mobile phones – so you’re more than safe. 

Learn more about smart meter radiation.