Page last updated on 16th March 2026
Smart meters vs home energy monitors: what's the difference?
Monitoring your energy use at home can help you understand your energy habits and reduce your monthly energy bill. Smart meters come with an in-home display that tracks energy use in near real-time. Some home energy monitors also claim to track your energy use in near real-time, but there are key differences between the two devices.
What's on this page?
Read on to explore the key differences between smart meters and home energy monitors and to find out why getting a smart meter installed by your energy supplier could be a convenient and useful choice for you.
What is a smart meter?
Smart meters are the next generation of gas and electricity meters. They are provided by your energy supplier at no extra cost to you. Read more in our guide to smart meters.
How do smart meters work?
Smart meters use a secure data network, managed by the Data Communications Company (DCC), to automatically and wirelessly send your meter readings to your energy supplier.
They come with an in-home display to show you exactly how much energy you're using in pounds and pence, in near real-time.
This means no more time worrying about manual meter readings and estimated bills. Smart meters send accurate readings to your energy supplier, wirelessly and automatically, at least once per month. Learn more about the accuracy of smart meters and how smart meters work.
What is a home energy monitor?
Home energy monitors or home energy monitoring systems are devices which measure electricity usage in your home or for specific appliances. They can be purchased privately at your own cost, and some may need to be set up by an electrician.
In contrast, smart meters are provided by your energy supplier at no extra cost to you. They can offer more information on your energy usage since you can get smart meters for both gas and electricity.
How do home energy monitors work?
Most home energy monitors have a display which allows you to track electricity usage but, unlike smart meters, they do not share readings automatically with your energy supplier. If you don’t have a smart meter, you will still need to submit manual meter readings to your energy supplier to avoid getting an estimated bill.
What are the benefits of smart meters vs home energy monitors?
There are many benefits to smart meters, such as:
Data transmission
Smart meters automatically and wirelessly send your energy usage data to your energy provider. In comparison, if you have a home energy monitor but not a smart meter, you would still need to manually submit meter readings to your supplier.
Cost
Wondering ‘how much is a smart meter installation going to cost me?’ Smart meters are installed by your energy supplier at no extra cost to you. Home energy monitors, however, are purchased privately and may need to be installed by an electrician. Learn more about the cost of smart meters here.
Accuracy
Are smart meters always accurate? Smart meters are as accurate as traditional meters. Smart meters use a network managed by the DCC. This ensures accurate meter readings are shared with your energy supplier. Readings are automatically and wirelessly shared with your energy supplier to give you accurate bills based on your actual energy usage.
Helping the environment
The benefits of having a smart meter extend beyond you and your household. By having a smart meter you’re also helping our energy system. According to the National Grid and the DCC, the smart meter network saved more carbon and energy than predicted in 2023, with 3% energy savings per household. By getting a smart meter installed, you’re getting more accurate bills and helping the environment around you.
Why smart meters may be the smart choice for you
Smart meters offer many benefits. They are installed at no extra cost to you by your energy supplier, they provide accurate billing based on your actual energy usage, and they offer a way to monitor your energy use. They even come with the added advantage that you’re also contributing to a more efficient national energy system.
Home energy monitors, and home energy monitoring systems, on the other hand, are useful for measuring electricity use for your household or specific appliances but lack some of the other smart meter benefits and will cost you to install.
Smart meters and home energy monitors both offer ways to better understand your energy use. You can use them together, or separately. Ultimately, the choice is up to you, your circumstances and your preferences!
Request your smart meter today
Join the future of energy and get a smart meter today! Request a smart meter from your energy supplier at no extra cost to you. It’s not just your home that can benefit from a smart meter either, you can also get a smart meter installation for your small business.
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