Smart meters record your gas and electricity use and normally send readings to your supplier automatically. They can also help you see how much energy you use.
What Is a Smart Meter?
A smart meter is a gas or electricity meter that can send readings to your energy supplier.
So, you do not normally need to send meter readings yourself.
If you have both gas and electricity, you will normally have a smart meter for each.
What Is an In-Home Display?
When smart meters are fitted, you will normally be offered a small screen called an in-home display, or IHD.
This is not your smart meter.
Instead, it connects to your smart meters and shows information about your energy use.
For example, it can show:
- how much energy you are using
- how much it may be costing
- your recent energy use
So, you can use it to see when your energy use rises or falls.
Do Smart Meters Save Money?
A smart meter does not make your gas or electricity cheaper by itself.
However, it can help you see how much energy you use.
For example, you may notice your electricity use rise when you switch on an appliance.
You can then decide whether there are simple ways to use less.
So, a smart meter can help you save energy. However, the saving comes from what you do with the information.
Do They Stop Estimated Bills?
Smart meters normally send readings to your supplier automatically.
As a result, your supplier should have more up-to-date readings when it works out your bill.
This can reduce the need for estimated bills.
However, a smart meter can sometimes stop sending readings.
If this happens, the meter will still record your energy use. You may simply need to send readings yourself until the problem is fixed.
Do Smart Meters Need Wi-Fi?
No. Your smart meter does not normally use your home Wi-Fi to send readings to your supplier.
Instead, smart meters use a separate communications network.
Your in-home display also connects to your smart meters without using your home Wi-Fi.
Can You Still Read One?
Yes.
You may sometimes need to take a reading yourself.
For example, your supplier may ask for one if it is not receiving readings automatically.
The way you take a reading can depend on your meter. So, check the instructions for your meter if you are unsure.
Learn more: Read Your Energy Meter →
Can You Switch Supplier?
Yes. Having a smart meter does not stop you from switching energy supplier.
However, some older smart meters may temporarily lose some smart features after a switch.
If this happens, the meter will still measure your energy use.
You may need to send manual readings for a time.
What Are Smart Tariffs?
A smart meter can also give you access to tariffs that use energy data in different ways.
For example, some tariffs have different electricity prices at different times of day.
So, electricity may be cheaper at certain times and more costly at others.
However, these tariffs will not suit everyone.
Before choosing one, check when you normally use energy and how the tariff works.
What About Prepayment?
Smart meters can also work in prepayment mode.
This can make it easier to see your balance and, in some cases, add credit without going to a shop.
Also, a smart meter can usually be changed between prepayment and credit mode without replacing the physical meter.
Do You Have to Get One?
You can normally choose whether to accept an offer to have a smart meter fitted.
However, there are some cases where a supplier may need to install one when replacing or fitting a meter.
Also, choosing not to have a smart meter may mean that some tariffs are not available to you.
So, if you are unsure, ask your supplier what choices you have before you decide.
What About Your Data?
Smart meters collect information about your energy use.
Some of this information is needed for billing and other set purposes.
However, you have choices over some other uses of your energy data.
So, check your supplier’s privacy information if you want to know what data is collected and how it is used.
If Your Smart Meter Stops Working
First, check whether the meter itself has stopped working or whether it has simply stopped sending readings.
These are not the same problem.
A meter that has lost its smart connection can still record your energy use.
So, you can normally take manual readings while the problem is being fixed.
If you think there is a problem, contact your supplier.
Key Points
Smart meters normally send meter readings to your supplier automatically.
Also, an in-home display can help you see how much energy you use and what it may cost.
However, a smart meter does not save money by itself.
You can still switch supplier, and smart meters can also work with prepayment and smart tariffs.
Finally, if your meter stops sending readings, it can normally still record your energy use.
Important Information
Energility provides general information to help you understand energy, household and business costs, services and ways to save money. It is not financial, legal, tax, technical or professional advice.
Prices, tariffs, grants, government schemes, regulations and other information can change. Costs, savings and calculator results are estimates and your actual results may be different.
Before making an important financial decision, signing a contract or carrying out significant work, check the latest information and consider getting advice from a suitably qualified professional where needed.
Energility may receive a commission or other benefit from some links or services. Where this applies, we aim to make it clear. This does not increase the price you pay unless stated otherwise.
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