Energy smart meters are the latest technology in energy monitoring. Learn how they work, their benefits, and how to install one in the UK. These meters have been designed to help households keep track of their energy usage, reduce their carbon footprint, and ultimately save money.

This article will cover everything you need to know about energy smart meters, including installation, how to read them, benefits and troubleshooting. Before we move on to the big stuff, let’s see what all the fuss is about.

What is a smart meter?

A smart energy meter is a device that records your energy usage in half-hourly intervals. Having one in your house is convenient automatically as it automatically sends this information to your energy supplier, so you don’t have to give them meter readings anymore. You can say goodbye to climbing up ladders with a torch to do your meter readings.

How do smart meters send readings?

How do smart meters send readings and are they accurate? Smart meters send readings using a dedicated secure wireless network and they don’t rely on your wifi at all. In fact, you don’t even need internet in your home to use a smart meter at all.

As for accuracy, the smart meter sends readings to your energy supplier at least once a day. This means that your supplier always has up-to-date information about your energy usage, making them more accurate than manual readings.

If you’d like to know more about the techy bits, check out this easy-to-read leaflet that illustrates the main parts of smart metering systems, courtesy of The Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Are smart meters secure?

Having a new tech gadget in your home can feel daunting. Questions such as: are smart meters secure or do smart meters pose a risk to security are justified and it’s good to be addressed rather sooner than later.

In a nutshell: your energy supplier can only use this data to provide you with accurate bills and to help you to save energy. They cannot share this data with anyone else without your consent.

The Smart Meters Network is designed to be very reliable and to protect your data by minimising the impact of a vulnerability in a meter.

The smart meter sends readings to the Data and Communications Company (DCC), a government-owned company that is responsible for managing the smart meter network.

“Each message received by a meter is authenticated via a simple cryptographic algorithm where the meters all have unique authentication keys. In order to start attacking the meter, you have to get past this authenticity check, and the only entity that can generate the authentication codes is either the DCC or the meter itself.”

– Dr. Ian Levy, The National Cyber Security Centre

What are the benefits of having a smart meter?

• You’ll get more accurate bills

Smart meters send your energy usage data to your supplier automatically, so you’ll no longer have to give them meter readings. This means that your bills will be based on your actual usage, rather than estimations.

• You can see how much energy you’re using

You can use your smart meter’s in-home display (IHD) to see how much energy you’re using in real time. This can help you identify areas where you can save energy.

• You can set up alerts

You can set up alerts on your smart meter to let you know when you’re using a lot of energy, or when you’re about to reach your energy limit. This can help you to avoid expensive energy bills.

• You can switch energy suppliers more easily

Smart meters make it easier to switch energy suppliers, as your new supplier can access your energy usage data directly from your meter.

• Reduced carbon footprint

By tracking your energy usage, you’ll identify key areas where you can reduce your energy consumption and ultimately reduce your carbon footprint.

How do I get a smart meter?

Getting started with a smart meter is pretty straightforward and usually takes around two weeks. Here are the steps to getting a smart meter up and running.

• Book your appointment: You can book online or request a smart meter via telephone. Some providers usually release new slots on Mondays (see Octopus Energy), so make sure you set a reminder.

• Initial consultation: You must give your supplier basic information, such as address and meter number. Please note that you will never be asked to provide sensitive information such as card details.

• Home visit: An engineer will remove your old meter and install the new smart meter in its place. The installation process usually takes around 30 minutes.

• Get connected: Your new gadget will then be connected to the smart meter grid via your chosen provider. This process can take around two weeks.

• Set up your online account: Once you’re all set, make sure you activate your smart meter account and get familiar with your new gadget.

Will I have to pay for a smart meter

No, you will not have to pay for a smart meter.

The government is providing £11.3 billion to support the roll-out, which is being delivered by energy suppliers. In light of this initiative, the government believes that smart meters will play a key role in decarbonizing the energy system in the long run.

By making it easier for consumers to switch to renewable energy tariffs and by providing data that can be used to develop new smart grid technologies, smart meters will help to reduce the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels.

The roll-out of smart meters is currently underway and is expected to be completed by 2025. All homes and businesses in Great Britain will be offered a smart meter by their energy supplier.

Please note that smart meters are free to install and there is no obligation to switch energy suppliers when you get one.

What if I don’t want a smart meter

According to Statista, almost half of the UK’s population has already opted-in for a smart meter. As seen below, the first spot with 56% is occupied by the North East, closely followed by the North West.

Opting for smart meters is ideal from both consumers and the industry’s points of view, as it’s an important pillar for sustainable development moving forward.

However, smart meters are not compulsory and you have the right to opt-out. If you do not want a smart meter, you can contact your energy supplier and let them know.

Smart meters troubleshooting

• Problems with the installation

The most common problem with smart meters is that they are not installed correctly. This can lead to problems with the meter itself, or with the way that it communicates with your energy supplier.

• Problems with the display

Some people have reported problems with the display on their smart meter. The display may be difficult to read, or it may not show the correct information. If you have any problems with the display on your smart meter, you should contact your energy supplier.

• Problems with the communication network

The smart meter network is a secure wireless network that is used to send readings from your meter to your energy supplier. If there are problems with the communication network, it may not be able to send readings to your supplier.

This can lead to estimated bills or problems with your smart meter. If you have any problems with the communication network, you should contact your energy supplier.

• Problems with the meter itself

In rare cases, there may be problems with the smart meter itself. This could be due to a manufacturing fault or damage to the meter. If the engineer finds that the smart meter is faulty, they will replace it for free. In the meantime, you will need to provide your energy supplier with meter readings manually.

Back to you

All in all, a smart meter will give you control of your energy consumption and undeniably save money on your bills. If you like the sound of that, enter your postcode in the box below and check energy suppliers in your area.