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A smart meter in-home display, electric smart meter and gas smart meterA smart meter in-home display, electric smart meter and gas smart meter, with 'smart facts' repeated text in the background

Do I have to have a smart meter?

Smart meters are being installed in homes across England, Scotland and Wales. They are replacing the traditional meters in your home. Your energy supplier may have been in touch to offer you a smart meter. If you’re wondering, “do you have to have a smart meter?” and want to understand what’s required of you by law, you’re in the right place.

There are many benefits to having a smart meter. For example, smart meters can help you take control of your energy bills. They also have environmental and infrastructure benefits. But if you’re not sure, read on to find out if you have to have a smart meter.

What's on this page:

Definition: If something is mandatory or compulsory, that means that it is required by a law or rule.

Are smart meters compulsory: do you have to have a smart meter by law?

No, smart meters are not compulsory. This means it's entirely your choice whether you get a smart meter. You will be offered a smart meter by your energy supplier before the end of the smart meter rollout, but it’s up to you whether you accept one.

The government requires energy suppliers to offer smart meters to all homes and small businesses across Great Britain by the end of 2025. But whether you get a smart meter is completely up to you.

We recommend that you consider getting a smart meter for a variety of reasons. Smart meters and the accompanying in-home display could help you stay in control of your energy bills. They’re also helping to upgrade Britain's energy system.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

We believe that British Gas are responsible for Bristol Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas 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.

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

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

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.

We believe that Shell Energy are responsible for Colorado Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Shell Energy 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

We believe that Shell Energy Retail is now responsible for First Utility customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Shell Energy Retail 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.

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

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

We believe that Octopus Energy is now responsible for Gen4U customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy 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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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 E.ON Next is now responsible for Hub Energy customers (formerly Gulf Gas and Power). Therefore we will connect you with E.ON Next 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.

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

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.

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 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 OVO Energy is now responsible for Lumo customers. Therefore we are connecting you with OVO Energy 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.

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

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

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Neon Reef Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

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.

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

We believe that Utilita are responsible for Omni Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you to Utilita who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

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.

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

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for People's Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

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

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.

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

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Robin Hood Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas 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.

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.

Scottish Hydro 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.

We believe that Octopus Energy is now responsible for Shell Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward. If you are a former Shell customer and haven't seen an email from Octopus, please get in touch with them.

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

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

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

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

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Social Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas 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.

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.

Symbio Energy have told us that E.ON NEXT is responsible for providing smart meters on their behalf. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON NEXT who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We believe that E.ON are responsible for Wigan Warriors Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with E.ON who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

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

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

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

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

If my supplier says I have to have one, is it compulsory to have a smart meter?

The government has set targets for energy suppliers to install smart meters. Energy suppliers should offer all customers a smart meter before the end of the rollout.  Different energy suppliers may have different ways to encourage their customers to accept a smart meter. But it is still up to you whether you accept one or not.

Some energy suppliers might offer their customers smart meter-only tariffs. Each supplier will have their own terms and conditions for these tariffs. An example of this would be a time-of-use tariff. Time-of-use tariffs offer a different price of energy at different times of the day. These tariffs are only available to customers with smart meters. They are not offered by all suppliers and are not widely available yet.

Your energy supplier is best-placed to answer your questions about your particular tariff.

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Is it mandatory to have a smart meter to access the Demand Flexibility Service?

Yes, to access the Demand Flexibility Service, you need to have a smart meter. Your smart meter will need to be able to provide meter readings every half an hour. To do this, you will need to have your smart meter set up so that it sends readings every half an hour.

The Demand Flexibility Service scheme encourages customers to move their electricity use to earlier or later in the day. This helps the National Grid manage peak demand in a smarter way and could reduce the risk of blackouts.

It could also prevent the use of back-up power generation, like gas power stations. Consumers who move their electricity use will be rewarded with a payment or credit from their energy supplier.

To take part, your energy supplier will also need to be taking part in the Demand Flexibility Service. Find out whether your supplier is taking part with our full list of suppliers taking part in the DFS.

Smart meter bullying: do you feel like you are being pressured by your supplier?

Energy suppliers should meet targets set by the government to install smart meters in their customers’ homes. But it is up to each individual energy supplier how they encourage their customers to get a smart meter. So, the communication you receive could be different with different suppliers.

There could be occasions where you will need to have a smart meter installed, for example, if your traditional meter has come to the end of its life and is no longer working. But this should be communicated to you by your supplier.

If you’re concerned about the types of communication you are receiving from your energy supplier, contact them directly to find out how they can resolve this for you. If you want support raising these issues, Citizens Advice would be able to assist you.

Will smart meters become compulsory?

Energy suppliers should meet targets set by the government to install smart meters in their customers’ homes. As the rollout continues, energy suppliers will need to find new ways to install smart meters in every home in Great Britain. But this is up to each individual energy supplier how they encourage their customers to get one. So your communication could be different with different suppliers.

When are smart meters compulsory?

As smart meters replace traditional meters, the production of traditional meters will be reduced, or totally phased out. So, if your meter comes to the end of its life, it’s possible that the only option will be to replace it with a smart meter.

If every household had a smart meter, this would be great news for our smart energy system. With more smart meter data, the smart energy system will be enabled to:

  • Identify and respond to power outages more quickly.
  • Better balance supply with demand, which then helps to...
  • Reduce waste - in fact, the government predicts that the smart meter rollout could save £650m.*
  • Enable energy suppliers to draw on more sources of local and renewable energy.

*Requires consumer action

An installer installing a smart meter

Will the smart meter installer try to sell me other products or services?

According to CoMCoP (the Consolidated Metering Code of Practice), your energy supplier must have your consent before the installation visit to discuss any purchasable good or services with you. And any marketing must be stopped as soon as you request. So, you can feel in control, knowing you can simply book your smart meter installation without receiving any other marketing.

And for even more peace of mind, no sales transactions can be carried out at the installation visit for domestic customers.

For more information about your rights as a consumer when it comes to getting a smart meter, see the DCC's guide on their website.

Request your smart meter today

If you haven’t already got a smart meter, you can request one from your energy supplier below:

Request your smart meter

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Want to find out more about smart meters?

Our site is packed with all the essential smart meter info you need – find out more:

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