What Are Smart Meters?
Smart meters are the next generation of gas and electricity meters. They automatically record your energy usage and send this information directly to your energy supplier, eliminating the need for manual meter readings and estimated bills.
Unlike traditional meters, smart meters provide real-time information about your energy consumption, helping you understand exactly how much energy you're using and when you're using it most.
How Do Smart Meters Work?
Smart meters work by using secure wireless technology to communicate directly with your energy supplier. Here's how the process works:
- Automatic Readings: The meter takes readings of your energy usage every 30 minutes
- Data Transmission: This information is securely transmitted to your energy supplier
- Real-time Display: You can view your current usage on the in-home display unit
- Accurate Billing: Your supplier uses this data to create accurate bills based on actual usage
Benefits of Smart Meters
1. Accurate Bills
With smart meters, you'll never receive an estimated bill again. Your bills will be based on actual energy usage, ensuring you only pay for what you actually use. This eliminates the frustration of catch-up bills when your actual usage is higher than estimated.
2. Better Energy Management
The in-home display shows you how much energy you're using in real-time and how much it's costing you. This information helps you:
- Identify energy-hungry appliances
- Change your energy habits
- Reduce your energy consumption
- Lower your bills
3. No More Meter Readings
Smart meters automatically send readings to your energy supplier, so you'll never need to take manual readings again or wait in for meter readers to visit your home.
4. Faster Problem Resolution
If there's a power cut in your area, your smart meter can help your energy supplier identify and resolve the problem more quickly by providing real-time information about the network.
5. Easier Switching
When you switch energy suppliers, your smart meter will continue to work, making the switching process smoother and faster.
Types of Smart Meters
SMETS1 Meters
First-generation smart meters (SMETS1) were installed between 2012 and 2018. While they provide many benefits, they may lose some smart functionality if you switch suppliers.
SMETS2 Meters
Second-generation smart meters (SMETS2) have been installed since 2018. These meters maintain their smart functionality regardless of which energy supplier you choose, making them the preferred option.
Smart Meter Installation Process
Before Installation
- Your energy supplier will contact you to arrange an appointment
- The installation is free of charge
- You'll receive information about what to expect
- Clear access to your existing meters is required
During Installation
- A qualified engineer will install your new meters
- Installation typically takes 1-3 hours
- Your energy supply may be briefly interrupted
- The engineer will test the meters and in-home display
After Installation
- You'll receive training on how to use your in-home display
- Your first accurate bill will arrive within 4-6 weeks
- You can start monitoring your energy usage immediately
Common Concerns About Smart Meters
Privacy and Security
Smart meters use bank-level security to protect your data. The information is encrypted and can only be accessed by you and your energy supplier. The government has strict rules about how this data can be used.
Health and Safety
Smart meters emit radiofrequency signals similar to mobile phones, but at much lower levels. The Health Protection Agency has confirmed that smart meters are safe and pose no health risks.
Cost
Smart meter installation is free for customers. The cost of the national smart meter rollout is spread across all energy bills, but the long-term savings from improved energy efficiency help offset this cost.
Making the Most of Your Smart Meter
Understanding Your In-Home Display
Your in-home display shows:
- Current energy usage in kilowatts (kW) or cubic meters per hour
- Cost of energy usage in pounds and pence
- Daily, weekly, and monthly energy usage history
- Remaining credit (for prepayment customers)
Energy Saving Tips
Use your smart meter data to:
- Identify the most expensive times to use energy
- Compare energy usage between different days
- Set energy budgets and track your progress
- Experiment with different energy-saving measures
Smart Meters and Renewable Energy
Smart meters play a crucial role in supporting renewable energy by:
- Enabling better integration of solar and wind power
- Supporting electric vehicle charging infrastructure
- Facilitating community energy projects
- Enabling dynamic pricing based on renewable energy availability
The Future of Smart Meters
Smart meters are just the beginning of the smart energy revolution. Future developments may include:
- Integration with smart home devices
- Automatic switching between energy suppliers
- Peer-to-peer energy trading
- Advanced predictive analytics
Getting Your Smart Meter
If you're a Degluwhitt customer and interested in getting a smart meter installed, contact our customer service team at +44 20 7123 4567 or email us at [email protected].
Our qualified engineers will handle the entire installation process, ensuring you're fully trained on how to use your new smart meter and in-home display to start saving money on your energy bills.