Smart meters are digital meters that can be used to measure and monitor the consumption of energy in a home or business. Smart meters are becoming increasingly popular and are available in many countries. They provide more detailed information than standard meters and can be used to reduce energy consumption and costs, but are they available to monitor both your gas and energy bills?
How do smart meters work?
The advanced metering system records electricity or gas usage in intervals of an hour or less and communicates the information to the utility for monitoring and billing purposes. The main difference between a smart meter for gas and one for electricity is the type of energy measured and the unit of measurement. A smart meter for electricity measures electricity in kilowatt hours, while a smart meter for gas measures gas in cubic feet. Additionally, the two meters may differ in how the data is communicated and how it is used. For example, a smart meter for electricity may be connected to a home automation system, while a smart meter for gas might be used to monitor the levels of natural gas in the area.
In short, it is absolutely possible to use a smart meter for both gas and electricity use. The difference is that the data collected from a gas meter is not as detailed as that from an electric meter, as it cannot measure energy use in the same detail. Additionally, the data collected from a gas meter is not as accurate as that collected from an electric meter, since gas consumption is more difficult to measure accurately.
How can I get a smart meter installed?
To get a smart meter installed for gas and electric, you will need to contact your local energy provider to request it. Your energy supplier will be able to provide you with information on the process, as well as any associated costs. It is important to note that not all energy suppliers offer smart meters, and so you may need to shop around to find one that does. We found a number of energy companies now offer free smart meter instillation on switching, so this could be the best outcome for you to switch supplier.
Once you have chosen, your energy supplier will then arrange for an engineer to come and install the meter at your property. Depending on the supplier, you may be able to arrange the installation online or over the phone. There may be a charge for the installation, so it is best to check with your supplier before proceeding.
Can I switch energy supplier if I already have a smart meter?
Yes, you can switch suppliers even if you already have a smart meter installed. However, the process might be more complicated than if you did not have a smart meter, since the new supplier will have to configure the meter to work with their systems. When you switch supplier, the previous will then arrange for the switchover, and the smart meter will be used for the new supplier.
You should make sure when you switch energy supplier that they will be compatible with the type of smart meter you already have installed. Additionally, you should check that your existing smart meter is up to date and compatible with the new supplier. If there is a need to update the software, you may have to pay a fee for this.
Will my gas and electric meters both be viewable on my smart meter?
What you can view on your smart meter may be different depending on the mode. Some smart meters only display information for one utility, such as electricity, while others can display information for both gas and electricity. Additionally, some smart meters can only display the information on the device itself, while others can transmit the data to a separate display or to a smartphone app. If you are unsure if your smart meter can display information for both gas and electricity, you should check with your utility company or the manufacturer of the smart meter.
Once you install the smart meter you can check the display to determine whether it is displaying information for just gas, just electricity, or both. The display on a smart meter that only measures gas usage will typically show information such as the current gas usage, the total gas usage for a specific period of time, and the cost of the gas usage.
On the other hand, the display on a smart meter that only measures electricity usage will typically show information such as the current electricity usage, the total electricity usage for a specific period of time, and the cost of the electricity usage.
If your smart meter is capable of displaying both gas and electricity usage, the display will typically have separate sections for gas and electricity, showing the corresponding information for each utility. If you are still unsure about the capability of your smart meter, you should check with the manufacturer or your smart meter.
Smart meter installation
What happens when you get your smart meter installed?
When it comes time to switch out your traditional meter for a smart electricity meter, an engineer will likely visit your home to do the job for you. They will start by taking a meter reading on the day to ensure that it aligns with your energy usage when they install a smart meter.
The engineer should stick around for a short while after installing the meter to show you how to use your smart meter and its smart functionality.
Following this visit, your old manual meter will be cut off from the energy system and therefore the supply. This means that you will then only be using your smart energy meter, and can see how much energy you use on the screen provided to you on installation day. Contact your energy supplier if there are any concerns about old meters or to send your meter readings.
Benefits of a smart meter
- Accurate billing: When you install your smart meter, you are providing your supplier with real-time usage data, which means the utility company can bill the customer for the exact amount of energy used, rather than estimating usage based on meter readings.
- Energy management: Smart meters allow customers to track their energy usage in real-time, which can help them identify areas where they can reduce their energy consumption and save money.
- Time-of-use pricing: Smart meters are also able to verify time-of-use pricing, where customers are charged different rates for energy depending on the time of day. This can incentivize customers to shift their energy usage to off-peak times, which can help reduce overall energy demand more than your current meter.
- Remote meter reading: Smart meters eliminate the need for manual meter readings of how much energy you are using, which can save time and money for both the customer and the utility company. By sending your readings to your energy supplier on your behalf.
- Improved reliability: Smart meters can detect and diagnose problems with the electrical system inside the home, so less call outs to your supplier and further ability to accurately measure your energy usage.
I refuse a smart meter from my supplier
In the UK, the government has a smart meter rollout program to encourage every home and small business to make the chance by the end of 2024. While it is not mandatory for customers to have a smart meter installed, it is encouraged as it can provide benefits such as accurate billing, improved energy management, and time-of-use pricing.
According to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), energy suppliers are required to offer a smart meter to their customers by the end of the roll-out period. However, if you don’t want a smart meter, you have the right to refuse having a smart meter fitted at home.
Customers who refuse a smart meter will continue to receive bills based on estimated meter readings, and they will not have access to the benefits provided by a smart meter such as accurate real-time usage data, remote meter reading and so on, but your current meter will work at home either way.
Today, customers tend to be offered a smart meter when they switch energy supplier. If you do not already have a smart meter, or have an old smart meter, when you switch supplier is the perfect time.
When you want to get rid of that old prepayment meter and level up on your energy efficiency, you will see the benefits of smart meters in no time. First-generation smart meters, also known as “SMETS1” (Smart Meter Equipment Technical Specification 1), were the first type of smart meters to be rolled out in the UK. They were installed between 2010 and 2019. These meters have several key differences compared to second-generation smart meters (SMETS2).
Communication: First-generation smart meters use a specific communication technology called “Home Area Network” (HAN) to transmit data to the energy supplier. Second-generation smart meters use a different communication technology called “Wide Area Network” (WAN) that allows the meter to communicate with the energy supplier through the mobile network.
Interoperability: First-generation smart meters are not fully interoperable, meaning that if a customer switches energy supplier, their smart meter may lose its smart functionality and become a “dumb” meter again. Second-generation smart meters are designed to be fully interoperable, meaning that if a customer switches energy supplier, the smart meter will retain its smart functionality.
Backup: First-generation smart meters have a limited backup battery that means the meter can only keep track of energy usage for a few hours if the power goes out. Second-generation smart meters have a longer lasting backup battery, allowing the meter to continue to track energy usage for a longer period of time.
Security: First-generation smart meters have basic security measures which make them vulnerable to hacking, second-generation smart meters have enhanced security features that protect the meters and the data they collect.
Overall, second-generation smart meters offer improved functionality, security and customer experience over first generation smart meters.