Page last updated on 18th August 2026
Are smart meters good and should I get a smart meter?
If your supplier has contacted you about installing a smart meter, you may be wondering whether it’s a good choice and if it’s worth having one installed. Many households also want to know are smart meters worth it, whether they can help reduce bills, and what advantages they offer beyond automatic meter readings.
What's on this page?
This guide explains:
What's on this page?
Are smart meters good for consumers?
Yes. There are several smart meter benefits for consumers, including accurate bills, automatic readings, and easier energy monitoring. Many people asking this are mainly looking for better visibility over their household energy use and costs.
You can also read more in what is a smart meter?
Should I get a smart meter?
If you’re deciding whether a smart meter is right for you, the answer depends on how you want to manage your energy use and bills.
A smart meter may be useful if you want to:
Track energy usage more closely
Receive automatic meter readings
Avoid estimated bills
Access smart tariffs
Monitor spending in near real time
For many households, features like energy tracking and flexible tariff options are among the main reasons to consider one.
Use the visual below to find out if a smart meter is right for you. For a full description of the image text, click 'continue reading'.
Are smart meters worth it? Understanding the potential benefits
People asking this are often interested in whether smart meters can improve budgeting, reduce waste, or support lower energy use.
Smart meters may help households:
understand which appliances use the most energy
monitor usage in pounds and pence
spot unusually high energy use
track energy habits over time
For many consumers, the value of a smart meter depends on how actively they use the information shown on the in-home display.
What are the smart meter benefits for consumers?
One key advantage for households is automatic meter readings.
Smart meters send readings directly to suppliers, helping households receive bills based on actual usage rather than estimates.
This can help:
reduce billing surprises
improve accuracy
simplify meter reading submissions
You can learn more in Are smart meters accurate?
How can a smart meter help with energy budgeting?
Smart meters usually include an in-home display showing:
energy use in near real time
estimated costs in pounds and pence
daily, weekly, and monthly usage trends
This visibility can support households looking to lower energy bills by helping them understand when and where energy is being used.
Does a smart meter save money: can smart meters reduce energy bills?
Smart meters themselves do not directly reduce electricity or gas prices, but they can help people make more informed energy decisions.
Some households may save money by adjusting how and when they use energy. People looking for an energy bill reduction smart meter are usually looking for practical ways to lower household energy costs.
Examples include:
Reducing standby power use
Running appliances during cheaper tariff periods
Monitoring heating use more closely
In practice, any savings usually come from using the in-home display to spot and reduce unnecessary energy use. Some households also use smart tariffs that can offer savings when energy is used during off-peak periods.
Learn more in Do smart meters save money?
How to track your energy use?
By using your in-home display to track energy use, you can make more informed decisions that may help you manage your bills. The daily, weekly, and monthly views can also make it easier to budget for energy spending. You can even set a daily, weekly, or monthly budget on your display, which will alert you if you go over the amount you’ve chosen.
How do smart meters send automatic meter readings?
With a smart meter, manual readings can become a thing of the past because readings are sent automatically to your supplier.
How do smart meters support Britain’s energy system?
Smart meters are also helping Britain modernise the energy system by:
improving understanding of energy demand
supporting renewable energy integration
helping manage peak electricity demand
reducing energy waste
This smarter system may help Britain rely less on imported fossil fuels over time.
You can learn more in:
Smart meters are helping us adapt to new smart technologies
Another one of the benefits of having a smart meter is that you can get the full benefit of new technologies like smart appliances and electric cars. A smart energy system uses smart meter data to better predict energy demand. As more people get electric vehicles, there will be more demand for electricity. A smarter energy system will help us supply more reliable, efficient, low-carbon energy to households.
Having a smart meter means you could have more options for energy tariffs
Certain suppliers offer tariffs designed specifically for smart meter customers, giving some households access to more flexible options.
These may include:
electric vehicle tariffs
off-peak pricing
reward schemes for shifting energy use
However, whether these tariffs work in your favour depends on your supplier, the tariff available, and when you use energy throughout the day.
How can smart meters help reduce your environmental impact?
By monitoring your energy usage on your smart meter in-home display, you can find ways to reduce your energy consumption. For example, you can use your smart meter to help you choose the most energy-efficient appliance for the job.
Or you can check your in-home display to see whether any devices are on standby and could be turned off. Using your smart meter could lead to lower energy bills and a carbon footprint – a double win!
How do smart meters help Britain tackle climate change?
Using your smart meter to reduce your energy use is a way you could help Great Britain tackle climate change. Understanding energy use helps suppliers develop time-of-use tariffs. Consumers who use these tariffs will help Great Britain use more renewable energy. Shifting our energy use to off-peak times will also help us use fewer power stations. Shifting energy use to off-peak times can also reduce the need for additional power generation.
How could the smart meter rollout save Britain money?
The Government’s cost-benefit analysis projects that, by 2034, the smart meter rollout will lead to a £6bn saving for Britain. It also states that the rollout has now passed its ‘breakeven point’. This means that every new smart meter installed now is adding to the net benefits of the programme.
The government also estimates that, over the course of the rollout, smart meters could save households a total of £5.6 billion on energy bills. These savings are expected to come from giving consumers better information to manage energy use and from improving the wider energy system.
How could smart meters support Britain’s energy security?
Smart meters could help to create a future where we're less reliant on imported gas. They help us manage our energy use throughout the day, which improves the balance of supply and demand.
This can reduce fossil fuel use and support the integration of more homegrown renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, into the energy system. In time, this could strengthen Britain’s energy security.
Can you get a smart meter if you use prepay?
If you have a prepay meter, you can get a smart meter. With a prepay smart meter, you can top up on your mobile. Your in-home display will display when you’re nearly out of credit. There’s also an emergency credit button you can press if you need a bit of extra time before you are able to top up.
If you have a prepayment meter, another benefit of having a smart meter is not having to apply for some government energy grants or benefits. Some discounts, like the Energy Bills Support Scheme, are automatically applied to smart meters, without you having to take any action.
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
Where can you learn more about smart meter benefits?
- How to use a smart meter to save money
- How smart meters are upgrading our energy system
- How smart meters can help you reduce your carbon footprint
- Don’t just take our word for it – check out our smart meter reviews
Common questions about smart meters
Are smart meters good?
Many households find them useful for monitoring energy usage, receiving accurate bills, and accessing newer tariff options.
How does a smart meter save you money?
Smart meters can help households identify where energy is being used and make changes that may reduce unnecessary consumption.