Page last updated on 29th October 2024
What is a smart meter?
Not only do the majority of homes in Great Britain have a smart meter, but 4 out of 5 smart meter owners are happy with theirs. If you're still unsure about smart meters, this page will give you all the information you need, including a deep dive into smart meters by Ross Kemp himself.
What's on this page?
- Ross Kemp's smart meter enquiry
- What is a smart meter?
- How do they work?
- How can I get a smart meter?
- Can I get a smart meter if I rent?
- Why should I get a smart meter?
- Do I need to get a new smart meter every time I switch suppliers?
- Can I get a smart meter for free?
- What does a smart meter look like?
- How to read a smart meter?
- Is my data safe?
- Is the installation safe?
Fact from Fiction
Ross Kemp talked to Smart Energy GB’s Victoria Bacon to answer some of the most common questions about smart meters. Watch their conversation in the video below.
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Ross Kemp: Many people in Britain use social media to keep up to speed with news and information, but it's also the place where most of us go to fact-check. And with so many different opinions out there, it's not surprising that when it comes to smart meter there's a bit of confusion as to what is what. But what I can tell you is this. Four out of five people are happy with their smart meters.
Ross: To set the record straight, I'm about to talk to an expert from Smart Energy GB.
Ross: I'm sitting down with Director of Communications Victoria Bacon, to chat about smart meters and to see if we really do have all the facts.
Ross: So Victoria, one of the most frequently asked questions online is what is a smart meter?
Victoria Bacon: So smart meters are the new generation of gas and electricity meters that are being installed in homes and small businesses across Great Britain. They replace your old analog meter and they come with a whole range of benefits, both for you as an individual household and for the country as a whole.
Ross: Over 36 million smart meters installed to date, but surprisingly, a lot of people don't know what they look like.
Victoria: Yeah, your smart meter basically looks a bit like your old analogue meter, the main difference is it shows your energy readings in a digital display rather than in analogue. You also get with your smart meter an in-home display unit, which basically shows you the information on how much energy you're using in near real-time and it shows you how much it's costing you in pounds and pence. Your smart meter typically sits in a cupboard or under the stairs. Your in-home display will typically sit, for example, on your kitchen counter.
Victoria: We know people love their IHDs because they can see how much energy they're using in the home and perhaps make some savings in the home as well from looking at it.
Camera operator: Ross, what are you looking at?
Ross: Nothing.
Camera operator: Are you looking up what a smart meter might look like?
Ross: Maybe.
Ross: I think the answer to this next question could be complicated, but a lot of people want to know "How do smart meters work?".
Victoria: So a smart meter records your energy use very much like your old analogue meter used to. The main difference with a smart meter is that it shares your readings automatically with your energy supplier, so you don't have to worry about taking manual readings. You don't have to worry about an engineer visiting your home, for example. It also means you get accurate rather than estimated bills.
Ross: Some people are worried that they seem to be getting energy bills that are higher than they should be, even when they have a smart meter.
Victoria: So your smart meter will be recording your energy use accurately. If you're worried about your bills and you're worried that they're too high, basically it could be for a number of different reasons. It could be that your energy supplier has increased its prices, or it could be that you've been on an estimated bill for quite some time and you've built up some energy debt.
Victoria: If you're worried about any of that, contact your supplier. If you have a smart meter installed you're going to get much better visibility and understanding about your energy use.
Ross: Victoria, thank you for talking to me.
Victoria: Thank you very much, it's been a pleasure.
Ross: So, there you have it. Some of the most frequently asked questions about smart meters answered and to find out more you can go to smartenergygb.org
What is a smart meter?
A smart meter is the next generation of a gas and electricity meter.
They are being installed in homes across Great Britain at no extra cost, to replace the traditional meters including prepay key meters, many of us currently have ticking away under the stairs, or outside our homes.
Smart meters measure how much gas and electricity you’re using, as well as what it’s costing you and display this on a handy in-home display.
How do they work?
With a smart meter you can wave goodbye to estimated billing. The smart meter shows a digital meter reading and uses a secure smart data network (managed by the DCC) to automatically and wirelessly send the readings to your energy supplier at least once a month, so you will receive accurate, not estimated bills.
Smart meters also come with an in-home display screen that shows you exactly how much energy you're using in pounds and pence, in near real time.
Visit the DCC's website to find out more about how smart meters send readings, or watch our video below for more about how smart meters work.
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The smart meter system is made up of two parts – the smart meters, which replace your traditional gas and electricity meters, and the in-home display – a portable screen that shows you how much gas and electricity you’re using and how much it’s costing you.
Both parts of the system work together to ensure you receive accurate information about your energy use. Your smart meter records your electricity use in near-real time, and every half hour for gas. The meter then securely shares these readings automatically with your in-home display for you to see. You can choose how often your meter readings are sent to your supplier, speak to them to find out your options.
The more frequently your supplier receives this data, the better they will understand how much energy is being used around the country, and when. With this information, they can buy more accurate amounts of energy to supply to their customers, helping to make our energy system more efficient.
How can I get a smart meter?
Your supplier will be in touch when your smart meter is ready to be installed. If you would like to enquire about getting one now, please contact your energy supplier.
Smart meters and the in-home display will be provided and fitted by your energy supplier. If your supplier is using third party installers, your energy supplier will let you know who they are and when they’re coming.
What does a smart meter look like?
A smart meter comes in two main parts and will be installed by your energy supplier(s). Your traditional gas and electric meters will be replaced with smart meters which send your meter readings to your energy supplier(s).
You will also receive an in-home display which will show you how much energy you're using in pounds and pence.
Can I get a smart meter if I live in a rented property?
Many homes can upgrade to a smart meter right now - but where you live, the type of home you live in, and the age and type of your existing meter may mean that your energy supplier will take a little longer to get yours to you. Contact your supplier to find out if a smart meter is suitable for your property.
Why should I get a smart meter?
They help you manage your energy costs
Smart meters come with an in-home display which shows how much energy is being used in near real time. You can see what you're spending in pounds and pence, which may encourage you to reduce your energy consumption.
You'll be helping us reduce our carbon footprint as a nation
From the moment your smart meter is installed, you are helping to reduce our carbon emissions as a nation - even without making changes at home to use less energy.
For more information check out our 'reducing our nation’s carbon footprint' page.
Don't just take our word for it...
"My smart meter is fantastic. I no longer need to spider dodge in the outside gas meter cupboard to take a meter reading!"
Liz
"Best thing I ever installed was my smart meter. At 71, I don’t have to climb a step ladder to read the meter and send readings."
Joy
"I've got smart meters at home and in businesses. No more estimated bills, just pay for what I use! It's a great system."
Billy
"I like that it sends meter readings to my supplier. I’m 63 - from the days before smart meters. If I can use one then others can."
Leslie
"I don't get estimated bills! My smart meter is spot on with what I pay."
Steve
"I simply can't see what's not to like about smart meters! They certainly help my family keep a check on our energy spend."
David
"My smart meter has helped me access cheaper energy rates; now I charge the car and run the washing machine for less."
Alan
Do I need to get a new smart meter every time I switch suppliers?
No, you don’t have to get a new smart meter when you switch energy supplier. With one of the SMETS2 meters, you should be able to switch energy suppliers without any interruption to your energy readings, bill payments or gas and electricity supply.
If you have a SMETS1 meter you may need to send in your meter readings in order to get an accurate bill following a switch (just as you would with traditional meters). But this is a temporary situation and does not affect your ability to switch your energy supplier – so you can go ahead and change your gas or electricity supplier.
Can I get a smart meter for free?
There is no extra cost for the in-home display. You won't have an extra charge on your bill because you choose to have a smart meter. The costs will be spread across everyone's bills, just like the cost of running and maintaining today's traditional meters are.
On an in-home display you'll be able to read:
- how much energy was used in the last hour, week and month (and what it cost)
- at a glance, whether your electricity use is high, medium or low
- updates in near real-time for electricity and every half hour for gas
What if I have a prepay meter?
Smart meters are set up to work for both prepay and credit customers, so that means prepay needn't be any more expensive.
In fact, prepay customers will be able to access time-of-use tariffs, which can help you save money if you are able to use less energy during periods of high demand (known as peak periods) and more energy during periods of low demand (known as off peak periods).
If you have a prepay meter your in-home display will show you:
- how much credit you have left
- how much emergency credit you have (and when it has been activated)
- your debt balance (if you have one)
- if your credit’s getting low
How to read a smart meter
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Your in-home displays is a portable device that can sit anywhere in the home. It communicates with your smart meter and shows you how much gas and electricity you’re using, in pounds and pence.
There are various settings, which allow you to view your energy usage by day, by week or by month. This information could help you more accurately manage your costs and help you budget. Being able to view the details of your gas and electricity usage on your in-home display makes it easier to see where you may be using a lot of energy and help you figure out ways in which you could reduce this.
Seeing how much energy you’re using as you use it means that, on those cold winter nights when you might be worried about the cost of turning up the heating, you can choose to stay warm knowing exactly what it’s costing you. Accessible in-home displays are available from some suppliers. They have larger buttons and can read information out loud. Contact your supplier to find out what’s available.
Whilst all in-home displays will provide the same information, they won’t all look the same, as each energy supplier may provide different models. But, no matter what yours looks like, your in-home display will put you firmly in control of your energy use.
Is my data safe?
The data your smart meter captures about your energy usage is strongly protected by law. You have control over it, including the right to decide:
- how often your smart meter sends data to your energy supplier (monthly is minimum, daily or half-hourly are optional)
- whether to share data with other organisations, like price comparison websites
- if your supplier can use your meter readings for sales and marketing purposes
Smart meters were designed in consultation with the UK's top security experts, and can only measure the amount of energy you use.
Personal details like your name, address and bank account details are not stored on, or transmitted by, your smart meter.
If you have other concerns about smart meters, take a look at our mythbusting smart meter problems article for the facts.
Is the installation safe?
Yes, smart meters and their installation are safe.
- they comply with UK and EU safety standards, and all smart meters meet the same safety standards, regardless of your energy supplier
- they are fitted by trained installers who have passed formal qualifications which are set out in the Smart Metering Installation Code of Practice
- during the installation, the trained installer will perform visual safety checks to identify signs of risk in your gas appliances, and in some instances have identified problems with appliances in customers’ homes
Request your smart meter
If you haven’t already got a smart meter, you can request one from your energy supplier below:
You may also be interested in…
- Energy saving tips - Want to take control of your usage but not sure where to start? Check out our energy saving tips.
- Guide to how smart meters work by the DCC - find out more about how smart meters work from the Data Communications Company.
- The installation process – once you’ve decided to request your smart meter, you’ll need to know how the installation works with your supplier.
FAQS
Can I switch tariff or energy supplier if I have a smart meter?
Yes. People with a smart meter can switch energy supplier and tariff in exactly the same way that anyone with a traditional meter can. Find out more about switching supplier with a smart meter here.
Can I get a smart meter for free?
There is no additional cost for installation of your smart meter. At the point of installation you may be offered an in-home display that shows your spending in near-real time for no additional cost. You won’t have an extra charge on your bill because you choose to have a smart meter. The costs will be spread across everyone’s bills, just like the cost of running and maintaining today’s traditional meters are.