Smart meters for deaf people and those with hearing loss
We have partnered with RNID to help spread the word about smart meters, and their benefits to deaf people and those with hearing loss. RNID believe that smart meters could make a difference to the lives of their members, supporters and beneficiaries.
Watch our British Sign Language (BSL) video below, which explains the benefits of smart meters:
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If you’re on a tight budget a smart meter could make life easier
If you’re on a tight budget a smart meter could make life easier
A leaflet from Smart Energy GB
What is a smart meter?
Smart meters are the next generation of gas and electricity meters. They are being installed in homes across Great Britain at no extra cost, to replace the traditional meters.
Unlike traditional meters, a smart meter sends your gas and electricity readings directly to your energy supplier so you don’t have to – very handy!Plus, you’ll receive an accurate, not estimated, bill – meaning, you only pay for what you use.
How can a smart meter save me money?
A smart meter can help you with your household budgeting. The in-home display (IHD) which you’ll receive with your smart meter, shows you in near real-time the amount of energy you use in pounds and pence. Allowing you to keep a closer eye on your energy spending habits.
This can help you find ways to reduce energy waste around your home and save money. For example, in 2021 the Energy Saving Trust estimated you can save around £35 a year just by remembering to turn your appliances off standby mode.
A smart meter will ensure your bills are always accurate, taking the stress out of budgeting and putting you back in control
Where else can I make savings?
Smart meters could also help you switch to a better deal, as you’ll have accurate energy usage information which can help you choose the supplier and tariff that suits you best.
What if I am on prepay?
No problem! With a smart prepay meter, it’s easier to see what remaining credit you’ve got left using your IHD, so you can avoid the lights turning off at the most inconvenient times. It also means you can top up whenever it suits you – online, via mobile or at the shop.
How does it all work
- The smart meter records your energy usage
- You can view your usage on the in-home display
- Your meter readings are automatically and securely sent to your supplier
- You get an accurate bill from your supplier
What does the in-home display show you?
Energy suppliers offer different in-home displays, which means yours may look different to your friends or neighbours. But all displays will provide the following information and functionality:
- Your electricity and/or gas usage
- You can change between pounds and pence and kilowatt hours
- You can see your usage per day, per week and per month
- You can see whether you are using a low, medium, or high amount of energy
- Comparison of your usage in weeks or months
- You can see your real-time usage for different time periods
- Set budgets
- Set targets in pounds and pence or kilowatt hours to help budget for your daily, weekly or monthly usage. Your IHD will help you to monitor how you are doing against your target, so you can make changes around the home to ensure you remain in budget.
Note: We have included both gas and electricity usage IHD information. If you only have a smart electricity or gas meter installed, your IHD will show your electricity or gas usage only
How does the installation work?
Here's a few important things you'll need to consider before your installation:
- Agree a time and date with your supplier that you can be home for the installation. An installer will never turn up unexpectedly.
- Make sure you know where your current meters are and take steps to ensure they’re accessible for the installer
- The installer should present you with a valid identity card upon arrival, which you can ask to see if the installer does not present it upfront.
- It takes around one hour for your electricity meter, and around one hour for your gas meter. Your energy supply will be cut off for a short period, but you’ll need to be present for the installation. If you have a health condition reliant on energy supply rest assured this will be addressed during your appointment booking.
- If you’re having your gas meter installed, the installer will perform a visual safety check on your gas appliances.
- Once fitted, your installer should show you how to use your in-home display and offer energy-saving advice.
OK, let’s do it
Get in touch with your energy supplier about installing your smart meter. You’ll find their details on your gas and electricity bill.
How smart meters work
Smart meters are the next generation of gas and electricity meters. They’re currently being installed in homes across Great Britain at no extra cost, to replace traditional meters.
The smart meter system is made up of two key elements: the smart meters, which replace your traditional gas and electricity meters; and a portable in-home display (IHD) that presents your energy usage. These work together to help you to make managing your energy usage easier:
Smart meters measure how much gas and electricity is being used, and show how much its costing you in pounds and pence on the useful IHD.
Smart meters send your gas and electricity readings automatically to your energy supplier so you shouldn't have to call someone to report it - very useful!
Smart meters enable accurate, not estimated, energy bills so you know exactly how much your bill should be and how much to budget.
For more information on how smart meters work, watch our BSL video below:
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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 have the option to have this information sent to your supplier monthly, daily or even half hourly. The more frequently your supplier receives this data, the better they could advise you on where you can make savings. Smart meters can also help reconnect you more efficiently should your energy supply be cut off unexpectedly.
You could save money with a smart meter
A smart meter could help you with your household budgeting. Your IHD will show you, in near-real time, the amount of energy you use in pounds and pence. Allowing you to keep an even closer eye on your energy spending habits.
This could help you find ways to reduce energy waste around your home and save money. For example, you can save around £35 a year just by remembering to turn your appliances off standby mode.
For more advice watch our BSL sharing energy saving tips for around the home:
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Top tips for saving energy around the home
Information about smart meters from Smart Energy GB
Washing
Wash your clothes at 30°C instead of 40°C and save around £9.
Dry your clothes naturally instead of using a dryer and save about £23.
Lighting
Turning your lights off when you’re not using them will save you around £15.
By replacing all the bulbs in your home with LED lights, you could save £40.
Cooking
Only fill the kettle with the amount of water that you need to save around £6.
Use a bowl to wash up rather than a running tap and save £25.
Appliances
You can save around £35 by remembering to turn your appliances off standby mode.
Do not charge electrical items once they reach 100% or leave them charging overnight, this wastes unneeded energy.
Insulation
Draught-proofing around windows and doors could save you around £20.
Curtains lined with a layer of heavy material can reduce heat loss from a room through the window at night and cut draughts.
Bathing
Spending just one minute less in the shower will save up to £8.
Replacing your shower head with a water efficient one could save a four- person household as much as £38 on gas for water heating.
Heating
Installing radiator reflection panels could save around £19.
Turning down your room thermostat by just one degree can save around £60.
Put a stop to energy waste around the home with a smart meter
A smart meter can help you to adopt energy efficient measures in your household. The in-home display (IHD) offered with your smart meter, shows you in near-real time the amount of energy you use in pounds and pence. This allows you to keep a closer eye on the amount of energy you are using. This information can then help you to find ways to reduce energy waste around your home and save money.
Sound good?
Get in touch with your energy supplier to learn more. You’ll find their details on your gas and electricity bill.
Smart prepay meters
With a smart prepay meter, it’s easier to see what remaining credit you’ve got left using your IHD. So you can avoid the lights turning off at the most inconvenient times. It also means you can top up whenever it suits you – online, via mobile or at the shop. Much easier!
Find out how smart prepay meters work, by watching our BSL video below:
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Smart meters are available for prepay customers.
They come with handy in-home displays which clearly show you how much credit you’ve got left.
Then simply top up, however you like. You can do this online… by phone, text, or via the app. This may vary depending on your supplier. If you prefer, you can still top up in person at your local shop and credit will be added to your account automatically, without using a key.
Budgeting is easier too, because you’ll be able to see in near-real time just how much you’re spending on your energy, in pounds and pence.
And that’ll help you choose the right supplier and the tariff that works for you.
Of course, smart meters are set up to work for both prepay and credit customers. if you'd prefer to switch between credit and prepay, your supplier can make this change without you needing a whole new meter.
How very smart indeed.
How can you get a smart meter?
Join the millions of Brits who are already using a smart meter and accompanying IHD to help reduce the energy usage in their homes.
To find out how the installation process works and what to expect on the day, watch our BSL video below:
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There are a few important things you’ll need to prepare before your smart meter installation.
Firstly, make sure you know where your current gas and electricity meters are located and check that they’re easy to get to.
If you think this might be an issue or you believe your current gas and electricity meters are difficult to access or locate, please let your energy supplier know well in advance.
Your supplier will have been in touch to arrange this installation. They will never turn up on your doorstep unexpectedly.
When the installer arrives, they'll take all reasonable steps to keep you safe. They should present you with a valid identity card including the company name and phone number, as well as their name and photograph. You can ask to see this if the installer does not present it upfront.
You’ll need to be present during the installation, which will take around an hour for your gas meter and an hour for your electricity meter, during which time your energy supply will be cut off for a short period.
Once your smart meter has been installed, the installer will talk you through how to use your new in-home display.
If a gas meter is being installed, the installer will also perform a visual safety check on your gas appliances as part of the installation.
It’s worth remembering that smart meters are provided at no extra cost, so you will not have to pay your smart meter installer.
Once you’re ready to get a smart meter, simply enter your energy supplier in the box below and we'll connect you.
Please note:
- Eligibility of smart meters may vary
- Consumer action required to obtain cost savings and budgeting benefits of smart meters
- Data is courtesy of the Energy Saving Trust 2021
Want to find out more?
- Smart meter reviews - most people with a smart meter in Great Britain would recommend getting one, according to our research.
- The installation process - the smart meter installation process is straightforward, and your energy supplier will install your smart meter at no extra cost.
- Concerned about your energy bills? - there are things you can do to help your situation. From making small changes in your home, to reaching out for support.