Getting a smart meter installed

Smart meters are digital devices that automatically record your gas and electricity usage and send this information to your supplier.

That means you don’t have to manually check your meter and share readings with your energy provider.

It also means that your bills should be more accurate, as they’ll be based on real data, not estimates.

Smart meters come with an in-home display that lets you see how much energy you’re using in near real-time and what it’s costing you.

This makes it easier to work out where you’re using lots of energy, make changes where necessary, and possibly save money.

If you’re interested in having a smart meter installed, you can ask for one yourself.

Just contact your energy supplier directly by phone or through their website.

Alternatively, wait for your supplier to get in touch with you.

They’ll invite you to book a free installation when they’re ready to roll them out in your area.

Your energy supplier will install:

•    a smart electricity meter
•    a smart gas meter (if you have gas)
•    a communications hub that connects your meters and display
•    an in-home display to track your energy use

You don’t have to pay anything to get a smart meter installed in your home, as the cost will already be included in your energy bills.

No, smart meters aren’t compulsory.

But there are some situations where your supplier may need to install one.

For example, they might be installing a meter in a new property or replacing a faulty or old meter.

However, you should think of the cost savings that might come if you have one installed.

Some energy providers offer cheaper tariffs to customers with smart meters, so having one installed could be worth considering.

If that’s you, it might also be worth asking your supplier about any other help they could give you to help with payments, such as grants.

Having a smart meter installed typically takes about one hour per meter.

So if you’re having gas and electricity meters fitted on the same day, it’ll take about two hours.

Your power may be off for about 20 minutes during installation.

The new smart meter will be fitted in the same place as your old meters, so you don’t need to move anything.

The installer will need clear access to where your meter is located though.

They’ll also set up your in-home display and show you how to use it, so you can start tracking your energy use right away. 

They may also offer you energy-saving tips to help you reduce your bills.

Yes, the installer will remove your old meters when a new smart meter is being installed.

They’ll take a final reading from your existing gas and/or electricity meters to make sure your account is up to date. 

Once that’s done, the old meters will be safely disconnected and removed from your property.
 
Your installer will take the old meters away and make sure they’re either recycled or disposed of properly.

Smart meters track how much energy you use every 30 minutes. 

This data will be sent securely to your energy supplier, so they can bill you accurately based on your actual usage, rather than estimates. 

It also goes to the network operators who manage the pipes and wires that deliver energy to your home, as it helps them to know how and when the infrastructure is being used. 

Your data is stored securely and protected under strict privacy rules. 

In addition, it won’t ever be shared with third parties or used for marketing without your clear permission.

You also have control over how your data is used beyond billing. 

You can choose if you want your supplier to access more detailed information about your energy consumption and use it to offer you personalised advice and services. 

For example, they might suggest a smart tariff, where the cost of energy varies depending on the time of day, or offer you tips on how to use less energy.

You can update your data-sharing preferences at any time by contacting your supplier.

All installers must follow a national code of practice, which sets clear standards for how the installation should be carried out. 

This includes being polite, treating you and your home with respect, and clearly explaining what they’re doing. 

They’ll answer any questions you have and make sure you’re comfortable with the process from start to finish.

You can read the full installer code of conduct on the Smart Energy GB website.