What is a smart meter?

Whether it’s your energy supplier that’s urging you to upgrade or you’re looking to make the switch to a smart meter yourself, you’ll want to know more about this latest gadget. Smart meter installation is on the rise; in this blog post, we explain why as well as delve deeper into how these nifty devices work.

How does a smart meter work?

A smart meter replaces traditional gas and electricity meters to unlock better control and convenience for every householder. Like traditional gas and electricity meters, smart meters measure your energy use. But instead of needing to submit regular meter readings yourself, your smart meter automatically sends readings and other information to your energy supplier.

Smart meters use wireless connectivity, similar to the network used by your smartphone, to provide this data to your supplier. You’ll also have an in-home display to view details of your gas and electricity use in real time.

Many energy suppliers are encouraging their customers to have smart meters, but remember you don’t have to have a smart meter installed within your home. There are however many advantages to using a smart meter, especially when compared with the traditional metering systems.

What are the benefits of using a smart meter?

Smart meters are first and foremost a super convenient way to manage your energy use. As we mentioned, you won’t have to read your meters and submit your findings to your supplier, which means a lot of time and effort saved.

The use of a smart meter also means no more estimated bills, which often cause a few surprises for energy customers.

Thanks to accurate meter readings and the fact that you can view your energy use yourself using your in-home display, you can become more energy efficient. Using the information supplied, you can take steps to cut your consumption and make huge savings in the process.

Is my home suitable for smart meter installation?

Most properties are suitable for smart meter installation, whether you own your home or are renting your property.

The operation of your smart meter however is affected by a number of factors. Properties that are located in rural areas or high-rise blocks of flats, have thicker walls, or where the gas and electricity meters are positioned further apart may struggle to communicate with each other for instance. 

How much do smart meters cost?

You don’t have to pay any upfront fees for your smart meter or its installation. It is however not ‘free’. Energy companies installing smart meters recoup smart meter costs over time from their customer base rates.

Want to find out more about smart meter installation? Use our search tool to find a local electrician to assist you.