What are Smart Meters?
They are being installed in homes across Great Britain at no extra cost, to replace the traditional meters, including prepay meters, most of us currently have ticking away under the stairs, or outside our homes. They are smart because they will show you the amount of energy you use in near real time and how much you are spending in pounds and pence.
What do smart meters do?
A smart meter sends automatic meter readings directly and securely to your energy supplier, so that you get accurate bills - and put an end to estimates and manual meter readings.
You'll also have an easy-to-understand portable display that shows you exactly what you're spending in pounds and pence and in near real time. So the next time your energy bill comes through the door you'll already know exactly what's in it and you've taken control of your energy bills:
Use your smart meter to:
- see what you're spending - in pounds and pence
- know how much gas and electricity you're using
- save energy and cut your costs
You can work out which appliances are guzzling the most energy. Or show the kids the difference it can make when they remember to turn the lights off.
Only a gas and electricity smart meter can show you what you're spending in pounds and pence in near real time. And only a smart meter can get you accurate bills from your energy supplier.
When and where is the rollout happening?
The smart meter rollout is happening across Great Britain between now and 2020. Energy suppliers will install over 53 million smart meters in over 30 million homes and microbusinesses.
Suppliers are rolling out smart meters to their customers at different times. When you can get one depends on many different factors, including the age of your existing meter and the type of home you live in.
I'm on pre-pay - can I get a smart meter?
Yes.
Smart meters will make prepay as easy as pay-as-you-go on your mobile. Some suppliers are already rolling out smart prepay meters and in the future, all smart meters will be able to switch between credit and prepayment modes.
With smart prepay, you should be able to:
- see how much credit is left on your smart meter in-home display, without having to manually read or access the meter
- top up when and where you want to - online, with an app, on the telephone, or via text message
- top up in person at your local store/outlet, without any need to put a key or card back into a meter. Payments will automatically be added to your account. You will always be able to top up with cash
- pay the same rates as everyone else - smart meters will remove the need for prepay to be more expensive than other tariffs
How can I get a smart meter?
Every home in Great Britain is entitled to a smart meter at no extra cost and you will get one before 2020.
There are three straightforward steps to getting one installed early:
- Call your energy supplier - you can contact your supplier to see if you can get a smart meter fitted now.
- Fix a time and day - agree when your supplier can come and install their smart meter, the installation usually takes around two hours.
- Be home for installation - make sure someone is there during installation. The installer will fit the meter and show you how to use the in-home display.
How can I find out more?
For more information about the rollout visit smartenergygb.org