HOW CAN I GET A SMART METER?
Every household in Britain can get a smart meter as part of the national rollout, regardless of whether you are a homeowner, rent or have a prepay meter.
Here are the three easy steps to get one for yourself:
CONTACT YOUR ENERGY SUPPLIER
Ask your energy supplier to upgrade you to a smart meter. Contact your supplier or visit their website for more information about their plans and timetables for installing smart meters. Gas and electricity suppliers are responsible for providing and fitting smart meters for everyone in Britain by the end of 2020. If you have different suppliers for gas and electricity, contact your electricity supplier first.
ARRANGE A DATE
Fix a time and day for the installation. When your energy supplier is ready to install your smart meter, then they will telephone or email you in order to agree a time to come and change over your meter.
LET YOUR SUPPLIER IN
A trained installer will call round to your home and install your smart meter. It takes about two hours and you will need to be present throughout that time. Your installer will demonstrate how your smart meter works and answer any questions you may have. For more information about the installation process, watch our video here.
WHAT IF I RENT?
Your energy supplier is responsible for installing your smart meter at no extra cost. If you’re the account holder who pays the energy bills, you are automatically entitled to one. If your landlord pays the bills you can also get a smart meter, and it’s mutually beneficial for both of you. Speak to your landlord about upgrading.
CAN I GET A SMART METER FOR MY SMALL BUSINESS?
If your business has fewer than 10 employees, you may be eligible for a smart meter. If your energy bills are included in your rent for your premises, then you can ask your landlord about getting one for your building.WHEN CAN I GET A SMART METER?
Upgrading homes to smart meters won’t happen overnight. There are more than 26 million homes for the energy suppliers to get to, with the goal of every home having a smart meter by 2020. Watch the video below to find out more about when you can get a smart meter.FAQS
Can I get a smart meter for free?
There is no extra cost for a smart meter or for the in-home display. You won’t have an extra charge on your bill because you choose to have a smart meter. The costs will be spread across everyone’s bills, just like the cost of running and maintaining today’s traditional meters.
How will a smart meter save me money?
Smart meters make it easier for us to identify the situations where we're using a lot of energy and might want to make changes to reduce it.
If you use the information shown on your in-home display to help reduce your energy use, you should be able to cut your energy costs. Smart meters also mean accurate bills, so you can be confident that you're only paying for what you've actually used, rather than overpaying, as you sometimes do with estimates.
