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Page last updated on 1st November 2024

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Smart meter dangers: are smart meters safe?

Safety and security have been at the heart of the smart meter rollout, right from the start. You might have heard or read about concerns around smart meter hacking. Or you might want to know about smart meter risks or security vulnerabilities. Here we address your questions and concerns.

Read on to get the facts about smart meter safety.

What's on this page?

Can smart meters be hacked?
Are there any smart meter security risks?
Is my personal information safe with a smart meter?
Understanding the risks of smart meters: fire risk
Summary: how dangerous are smart meters?

Can smart meters be hacked?

Smart meters are secure. Security has been at the heart of the smart meter rollout from the beginning. The system was designed to prevent smart meter hacking as much as possible. While no electronic device can be 100% protected from hacking, smart meters are as safe as they can be.

GCHQ and the National Cyber Security Centre lead the security process that all smart meters have to go through. You can find out more about this on the NCSC website.

Are there any smart meter security risks?

Smart meters were specifically designed with top cyber security experts, to encourage security best-practice at every stage. The system has been specifically designed to prevent hacking.

Smart meters send data through their own dedicated communications system. This bespoke wireless connection shares energy-use data with your supplier, via the DCC. Smart meters measure household energy use only. They do not know when your individual appliances are turned on or off.

Your energy use data belongs to you, and it’s up to you how much you share with your supplier. The more information you share, the more your supplier can support you to better understand and manage your use. But this would always be your choice.

Smart meter security risks: is my personal information safe with a smart meter?

The information your smart meter holds is about how much gas and electricity you've used. A smart meter doesn't share personal information that could identify you, such as your name, address or bank account details.

Your smart meter shares meter readings with your energy supplier so they can prepare an accurate bill. They cannot share this data further without your permission.

Energy network operators can access some anonymised energy use data to help them run the networks more efficiently. But this information cannot be linked back to you as an individual. To find out more, read our guide to who can access your smart meter data.

All this information about your energy use is strongly protected. The data is transmitted safely, using a dedicated and secure wireless network. You can change your preference for how often you share meter readings by getting in contact with your supplier directly. Your energy supplier may use this information to offer you tailored energy efficiency advice and improve the service they provide for you, but only if you have given them permission to do so.

Is my smart meter listening to me?

No. Smart meters don’t have any video or audio recording components within them, and therefore can’t record anything you do at home. Smart meters are usually installed in the same place as your analogue meter. Inside your home, you will be offered an in-home display. This device simply shows you the data being read by your smart meter – it has no way of recording information. To learn more, read our guide to smart meter data collection.

Understanding the risks of smart meters: fire risk

When it comes to smart meters, fire risk is very low; it's incredibly rare for a smart meter to be faulty.

The installation of any meter (analogue, digital or smart) involves installers working with electricity and gas. This can present a risk, but every possible action is taken to reduce this. Installers are trained to a high specification which includes a NVQ level 2 and, if working with gas, accreditation by Gas Safe.

Also, when your smart meter is installed, the installer will carry out visual safety-checks. This can help discover problems with your other appliances that can potentially be dangerous.

The physical processes for installing a smart meter can be similar to those for installing traditional meters. A smart meter has the same basic electrical and gas connections as a traditional meter and an installer will follow the same mechanical and safety processes for installation.

Smart meters are safe. All smart meters in Great Britain must comply with safety legislation, and have undergone one of the most rigorous safety testing regimes in the world - exceeding every UK and EU safety standard. Safety is a huge priority for government and the industry, and there are processes in place should any incident occur.

So, how dangerous are smart meters?

Smart meters are safe and reliable. While no electronic device is entirely without risk, smart meters have been designed with your security in mind. Top cyber security experts worked on the rollout to prevent hacking. Smart meters only transmit data about your total energy use, so your personal data is protected.

Safety is a priority in the energy industry - smart meters in Great Britain are required to comply with the relevant safety legislation. To learn more about the safety of smart meters, read our guide about smart meters and health.

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We believe that Nabuh Energy is now responsible for Avid Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Nabuh Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy are responsible for Avro Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Beam Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

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We are connecting you to your supplier's website. They will take your request forward.

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We believe that SSE is now responsible for Brilliant Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with SSE who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

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We believe that SSE are responsible for Cardiff Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with SSE who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for CitizEn Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

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We believe that Scottish Power is now responsible for Daisy Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Scottish Power who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

You can continue your smart meter journey at your supplier's website. They will take your request forward.

Eon have informed us that Eon Next are responsible for smart meter installations, so you'll be redirected there.

We are redirecting you to the E.ON Next smart meter webpage. You can continue your smart meter journey at their website. They will take your request forward.

We believe that OVO Energy are responsible for Economy Energy credit customers. Therefore we are connecting you with OVO Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward. If you are a prepay customer you will need to visit Boost Energy at www.boostpower.co.uk/smart-meters. They will be responsible for taking you request forward.

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We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

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We believe that Bulb Energy is now responsible for GnErgy customers. Therefore we will connect you with Bulb who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

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We believe that EDF Energy is now responsible for Green Network Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with EDF Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

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If you would like a smart meter installed, please get in touch with Homeshift using the contact number on your latest energy bill.

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We believe that E.ON Next is now responsible for Igloo Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON Next who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy is now responsible for Iresa customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that EDF Energy is now responsible for iSupply Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with EDF Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

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We believe that E.ON is now responsible for Npower Select customers. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

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We beleive that Scottish Power is now responsible for Orbit Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with Scottish Power who will be responsible with taking your request forward.

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We believe that E.ON Next is now responsible for Powershop customers. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON Next who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Shell Energy is now responsible for Pure Planet customers. Therefore we will connect you with Shell Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

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You can continue your smart meter journey at your supplier's website. They will take your request forward.

Scottish Gas have told us that British Gas is responsible for providing smart meters on their behalf. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

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We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

We believe that EDF are responsible for Solarplicity customers. Therefore we are connecting you with EDF who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

Swalec have told us that SSE is responsible for providing smart meters on their behalf. Therefore we are connecting you with SSE who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

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