Update on smart meter installations
We need you to help Britain go green
If we all got one
Trees are like the world's lungs, and they're an essential part of fighting climate change. If everyone in the UK upgraded to a smart meter, it would have the same environmental impact as planting 75 million trees – every single year.
A 21st-century energy grid
Your smart meter forms part of a smarter energy grid in the UK. With a smart grid, we can be more precise about energy production and supply, helping us reduce waste and better support new technologies – such as heat pumps and electric cars.
Reduce your carbon footprint
Upgrading to a smart meter is one of the easiest, cheapest ways to do your bit for the environment. Not only can you save energy yourself, but you're supporting the more energy efficient energy grid, ready for future electric technologies.
Installed by experts
We've already installed over two million smart meters across the UK, and we're asking more homes to join the cause. We install meters in accordance with the smart metering installation code of practice, at a time that suits you best.
Using your smart meter
Your smart in-home display shows you how much it costs to keep your home cosy, lets you set budgets and compare your energy use across the week so that you can stay in control.
The truth about smart meters
With your smart meter, you stay in complete control of your energy data, which is sent to us through a dedicated wireless network. Not only are smart meters completely safe and secure, but they're also great for the environment.
What are smart meters?
Meet Chic and Alison
Smart facts
82% of people with smart meters have taken at least one step to reduce their energy use
Smart meter frequently asked questions
How do I turn off the budget alarm on my in-home display?
You can turn off your budget alarm in your settings. To do this:
- Press OK
- Use the arrow keys to scroll through the information until you get to Settings (OK) – Click ok to select this screen
- Scroll again until you get to budget alert and press OK
- Use the arrow key to select OFF
- Click on OK and then go back to the home screen.
How we check if you can have an E.ON smart meter
For E.ON customers, we'll run a personal eligibility check when you go to book your smart meter appointment to see if we can install a smart meter in your home. Whilst we continue to roll out our smart meters across Great Britain, some restrictions may apply, with smart not available if you just get your gas from us. We'll install your meters subject to:
- Pre-install checks
- Safe access to your meters
- Signal availability
- Payment method or account status
- Other temporary metering restrictions
- Availability on certain tariffs
Smart meters availability, costs, how they work and installation
When can I get a smart meter?
- See if you can get a smart meter today
How much will a smart meter cost?
- There is no cost for having smart meters or the smart energy display installed.
How do smart meters work?
- Smart meters work in the same way as a normal gas or electricity meter – they're just more clever. A smart meter will talk to your smart energy display in your home to show you how much energy you’re using, and will also communicate remotely with your energy supplier so you’re billed correctly. The smart meters we’re installing at the moment communicate using GPRS technology – the same kind of technology that mobile phones use.
What happens during the installation?
- Your smart meter technician will remove and replace your existing meters with smart meters. They will also test your metering equipment, along with your electricity and gas, to make sure it's all working properly. Then they will set up your smart energy display and show you how it works. Take a look at our online demo to see how it all happens.
Smart meter bills
Will my bill change once I get a smart meter?
- Your first bill after your smart meters have been installed will look slightly different to your previous bills, as it will show you your old meter and new meter details. The final reading for your old meter will be taken by our smart technician and your new smart meter will be billed to actual readings we've taken automatically from your meter. All bills after this will just show your use on your smart meter.
Why is my bill estimated?
- If we installed your smart meter: Sometimes we might lose connection with your smart meter. This could be because there is a physical obstruction in the way, or even because of changes in the weather. We’ll try to get an automatic read from your meter next time but if your smart bill continues to be estimated then please contact us so we can understand how we can get your smart meter working again.
- If another supplier installed your smart meter: We are unfortunately not able to operate meters installed by other suppliers as smart. We are working with the industry and Government on a solution to this and hope to have something in place soon. We should then be able to update your smart meter, but you will need to provide us with meter readings in the short term.
How do smart meters communicate?
Smart meters use wireless networks to communicate within your home, to show your energy use on your in-home display, and to communicate with each other.
Your gas smart meter only sends readings as far as your electricity smart meter, which then uses the same type of secure network as mobile phones, in order to send both of your meter readings to us.
If you only have a gas supply with us at the moment and you’d like smart meters, you can get a quote for us to supply your electricity too, then we can get both meters installed for you.
Should I get a smart meter?
If you normally pay your bills by Direct Debit or when you receive the bill, then getting smart meters means that you don’t have to send meter readings every time in order to get an accurate bill. We’ll still send meter readers once in a while to check your meter’s still working as it should, but so long as we’re getting regular readings, the visits will be less frequent.
If you have a prepayment meter at the moment, getting Smart Pay As You Go meters means increased flexibility, and no awkward rushing to the local shop to top up if you’ve run out of electricity mid-shower; you can manage your balances and top up online.
Will I get a SMETS1 or SMETS2 smart meter?
We believe that everyone should be able to have a smart meter, regardless of where they live or what their signal is like.
We’ll always attempt to install a new generation SMETS2 smart meter first for you. If we can’t we’ll install a SMETS1 smart meter, even though it’s past the SMETS1 end date.
The only difference between SMETS1 and SMETS2 is whether they maintain their Smart functionality when you switch supplier. Before the end of this year, we’ll be upgrading all SMETS1 meters remotely, so you’ll be able to continue to use your existing SMETS1 meter if you change supplier, which of course we hope you don’t.
Further information
Information throughout this page has been sourced from the 2019 Smart Meter Communications Research conducted by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, June 2019.