Page last updated on 24th April 2026
Run your heat pump more cost-effectively with a smart meter
You could save money on running your heat pump by getting a smart meter installed. Read on to find out more or type the name of your energy supplier into the search bar below to request your smart meter at no extra cost.
How smart meters work
A smart meter can help you understand your energy costs and could help you run your heat pump more cost-effectively.
Smart meters accurately measure how much gas and electricity you use and automatically send readings to your energy supplier, so you don’t need to submit them manually. They also come with an in-home display that shows your energy use in pounds and pence.
Crucially, smart meters enable access to smart tariffs and flexibility schemes. These can reward you for using energy at off-peak times or when more low carbon electricity is available. For households with heat pumps, this could make a difference to their running costs too.
Smart meters also support a more efficient, flexible energy system that relies less on fossil fuels, and is better for the environment.
Getting a smart meter could help you run your heat pump more cost-effectively
Near real time data
Smart meters show you how much energy you're using in pounds and pence, through the in-home display (IHD) or an app. This can help you understand your heat pump’s energy consumption too.
Helps you make smarter decisions
Knowing how much energy you are using helps you make smarter decisions about your energy use, which could save you money. For your heat pump this could mean adjusting its heating schedule to save money, while still keeping your home at a comfortable temperature.
Access to flexible tariffs
Smart meters enable access to smart tariffs and demand-flexibility events, which could reward you for using energy during off-peak times or when lots of clean electricity is available. This could lower the running cost of your heat pump too. With suitable heating schedules, you could warm your home or heat water at a lower cost while keeping comfortable
You should choose a tariff that works best for you and your household and consider the terms and conditions carefully before changing tariffs.
If you’d rather not change what time of day you use energy, you might prefer a fixed or standard variable tariff where the price stays the same all day.
How to set your heat pump up on a smart tariff
-
Have a smart meter installed
Request a smart meter installation from your energy supplier here at no extra cost.
-
Pick a smart tariff that suits your home
Speak to your energy supplier about what tariffs they have that are suitable for your home and its smart appliances (you may have a heat pump as well as an electric vehicle, for example). Other energy suppliers may have more suitable smart tariffs, which may also be worth finding out about.
-
Set your heat pump schedule
Use your heat pump thermostat, controller or a home energy management app to set a heating schedule for your home and water that works with your smart tariff. Your heat pump installer can show you how to set heating schedules of your choice.
Who does what between your energy supplier
and heat pump installer?
and heat pump installer?
Your energy supplier
-
- Installs your smart meter
- Supplies in-home display (IHD)
- Supplies tariffs, flexibility schemes and rewards
Your heat pump installer
-
- Helps with heating controls and performance
- Helps set up your system to run on your
preferred schedule
Day-to-day tips to save money
- Use your in-home display (IHD) or app to see patterns in your energy consumption. These may also be able to set energy budgets and receive alerts.
- Review schedules periodically. Tweak heat pump schedules when your routine, tariff or the weather changes. There are also apps and thermostats available that automatically optimise your heat pump’s schedule with your energy tariff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a smart meter to get a heat pump?
No, but you will need a smart meter to access the full benefits of flexible schemes and smart tariffs. This is because, for you to take part in these schemes, your energy supplier needs to know when you use energy. Unlike traditional meters, smart meters can automatically send meter readings as often as every half an hour. The half-hourly recording of energy use enables your supplier to charge different rates for use at different times of the day or week.
Feedback on your energy consumption (via an in-home display or relevant apps) could also help you run your heat pump more cost-effectively.
Will my home be comfortable on a smart tariff if I have a heat pump?
It should be. Heat pumps can keep homes comfortable on smart tariffs by heating steadily at times when electricity is cheaper, without noticeable change for most households.