Smart metersare a great way for households and businesses to monitor energy usage and take control of their bills. This can potentially save energy and money while reducing UK PLC’s impact on the planet.
To date, over 33 million smart meters have been installed in homes and businesses across the UK, with many business owners requesting smart meters every month. The deadline for the rollout is December 31, 2025.
Smart meters enable accurate billingThis means your business only has to pay for the energy it actually uses. This could help your business stay in control of your energy bills. Even better, smart meters send gas and electricity readings directly and securely to your supplier, so you don’t have to — and tick an item off your busy to-do list!
If you want to install a smart meter, you will first need to speak to your energy provider and confirm your company’s suitability. After confirmation, follow the standard step-by-step installation process described below.
3 Ways a Smart Meter Can Help You Scale – A smart meter can help you cope with rising energy prices by improving the accuracy of your bills and helping you better manage your energy consumption
#1 – Ask your energy supplier or broker what they offer
To begin the process, two points of contact must be chosen. First, talk to your landlord and ask them if they plan to install smart meters in your building. If not, discuss the options for doing so. If you pay bills directly to your supplier, you can apply for a smart meter without notifying your landlord unless your contract states otherwise.
If you’re thinking about switching providers, it may be worth changing providers before purchasing a smart meter to make the process smoother.
Speak to an energy broker or contact your energy supplier directly who will explain your options to you.
You may also have been contacted by your supplier about purchasing a smart meter without you having to ask.
#2 – Schedule an appointment for installation
Your energy supplier will arrange a date and time for installation, just as you would with a plumber or electrician. They usually manage to avoid peak times and agree on a suitable date. Many plumbers can also visit you outside of normal working hours. So feel free to ask us if this is the best solution for you. An installer will never appear unexpectedly.
#3 – Be there to let your plumber in
Make a note of your time slot and remember to be present when you call, especially if you have scheduled an after-hours installation. The duration of the appointments varies, but as a rule of thumb, each meter takes about an hour to assemble. The power supply will be interrupted for a short time, but you must be present during the installation.
Make sure you know where the current meters are located and take steps to ensure they are accessible to the installer.
#4 – Start realizing the benefits of your smart meter
Once your smart meter is up and running, it’s time to take control. Your installer will show you how the smart meter works on site and answer any questions you have during the visit.
If you’re up to date, it’s important to take advantage of the benefits of a smart meter. If you have access to it, you can use it to track periods of high energy consumption and share your findings with people around you. This way you can work together to control energy consumption, saving time, energy and money.
With over 60 percent of small business owners saying they take on too many roles in their business, any opportunity to cross something off your to-do list is welcome. By using a smart meter, your energy data is sent directly to your supplier, eliminating the need for manual meter readings.
Sounds good? Why request a smart meter for your business today? The benefits to your business could be significant.
In short: Smart Meter FAQs
How do smart meters help reduce energy consumption?
Intelligent measuring devices show you the monetary costs of your energy consumption almost in real time. Based on this information, many people change their behavior to reduce their energy consumption.
What should I do if I don’t own my property but pay the energy bills directly?
You may want to get your landlord’s permission before agreeing to any work, especially if this is stipulated in your contract.
I’m not sure who our energy supplier is as we always use a broker to get the best deal for our business. What do we do in this situation?
Contact the energy broker who referred you to your current energy supplier and they will be able to provide you with information. If the broker does not know immediately, he will contact the energy supplier on your behalf, as this is one of the services that energy brokers offer.
Can I change how often my measurements are taken?
Your smart meter measures either every half hour, once a day or once a month. Different providers have different standard read frequencies, and you can choose which you prefer. The half-hourly frequency gives you the most detailed information about your company’s energy consumption.
Now that market-wide half-hourly billing (MHHS) has been introduced, customers who have their smart meter installed will have their energy usage data shared every half hour by default.
Is my smart meter safe?
Smart meters have been developed in collaboration with the government and GCHQ to ensure the security of your business data. Smart meters do not use the internet and have their own closed, dedicated communications system. Smart meters are designed to ensure best safety practices are taken into account at every stage.
Why are calculations more accurate?
Because smart meters provide accurate readings, once your smart meter is installed, all of your future energy bills will be calculated based on your usage rather than an estimate. Smart meters give you clarity about your bills and take the guesswork out of it.
Please note:
• Smart meter and in-home display eligibility may vary
• Consumers need to take action to achieve cost saving benefits
For more information on the benefits of installing a smart meter in your workplace, visit Smart Energy GB at smartenergyGB.org.
This article is part of a paid information campaign for Smart Energy GB.
The study was conducted by OnePoll for Smart Energy GB between February 14 and 19, 2024 and surveyed 500 GB small business owners who have started their own business.
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