Why Smart Meters
Smart Meters: Powering a Smarter, Greener Future
Upgrading to smart meters is a national commitment to reducing energy use in Great Britain. The UK Government have made it mandatory that all energy suppliers should install smart meters in all homes and small businesses by the end of 2025.
Take Control of Your Energy Usage
Smart meters allow you to track your energy usage patterns and allow access to more detailed reports, giving you an idea of how you’re using your energy and how you could reduce your consumption.
Safe, Secure & Automatic Meter Readings
Your meter readings are automatically sent to your supplier via a safe and secure national network set up solely for smart meters (the Data Communications Company or DCC). Although they use a wireless system, it doesn’t use your Wi-Fi connection.
We suggest our customers visit the Great Britain smart meter roll out website which is full of useful information and facts on smart meters.
What were D-ENERGi’s Smart Meter Roll Out Targets for 2022 and what are new targets for 2024?
| Fuel 2022 | Planned/Actual 2022 | Smart Meters Installed 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | Planned annual target delivery | 14 |
| Actual Qualifying Metering Systems installed | 0 | |
| Gas | Planned annual target delivery | 32 |
| Actual Qualifying Metering Systems installed | 133 |
| Fuel 2023 | Planned/Actual 2023 | Smart Meters Installed 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | Planned annual target delivery | 135 |
| Actual Qualifying Metering Systems installed | 184 | |
| Electricity | Planned annual target delivery | 112 |
| Actual Qualifying Metering Systems installed | 112 |
| Fuel 2024 | Planned/Actual 2024 | Smart Meters Installed 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | Planned annual target delivery | 48 |
| Actual Qualifying Metering Systems installed | 53 | |
| Electricity | Planned annual target delivery | 148 |
| Actual Qualifying Metering Systems installed | 148 |
I’m a business. What type of smart meters can I have?
Our regulator OFGEM has made it mandatory to categorise businesses we supply into 2 categories referred as either micro business or non micro business. We ask all our customers to familarise themselves with our micro business guide. Micro businesses are typically smaller businesses that have the option to choose between an automatic meter reading (AMR) meter or a SMETS2 meter. Both offer similar benefits, depending on your requirements please see the comparison table below. If your consumption is above this threshold and we supply you, you are typically a non micro business. D-ENERGi will be rolling out the latest SMETS2 meters & AMR meters to all qualifying micro business and non micro business customers, with their consent over the coming months and years as required by our regulator OFGEM.
| AMR Smart meter | SMETS2 Smart Meter | |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic meter reading |  |
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| Accurate billing * | |
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| Consumption data | |
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| Appointment time suit you | |
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| No conditional cost to install | |
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| Change of supplier | Your smart meter should operate with the same functionality as long as the supplier has an agreement with the operator of the AMR meter | Your smart meter should operate with the same functionality |
| When can I get one ? | Now | Subject to availability. |
The difference between AMR & SMETS2 smart meters
AMR smart meters
When you upgrade to a new AMR smart meter, you can gain a better understanding of your energy consumption. That knowledge can help you reduce the amount of energy you use. And that can help to lower your costs and reduce your carbon footprint. AMR meters are typically installed on the higher usage business customers.
Your AMR smart meter sends your meter readings remotely. So you’ll benefit from accurate bills based on your actual readings, rather than an estimate.
SMETS2 smart meters
SMETS2 smart meters give you all the same benefits of AMR meters. These include remote meter readings, accurate billing without the need for estimates, plus access to your energy data.
What’s more, when you link a Consumer Access Device (CAD) or an In Home Display (IHD) to your SMETS2 meter, so you can view your energy consumption in near real-time.
More FAQs on business smart meters
A: Many business are eligible for a smart meter at no extra cost. Speak to us for more information. Half hourly customers are not eligible. This does not include new connections. And there may be a charge if you’re a non-micro business and you opted to exchange an AMR meter for a SMETS2 meter.
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A: 1. Accurate Billing, No More Estimates or Manual Meter Readings
• Smart meters automatically submit regular readings to your energy supplier, allowing you to track your energy usage accurately. This helps you predict demand and lower your energy bills by eliminating estimated charges.2. Measure and Analyse Your Usage
• With smart meter data, you can easily identify your peak energy usage times. This knowledge empowers you to manage your energy costs more effectively.3. Optimise Spending Across Multiple Sites
• If your business operates across multiple sites, smart meters can help you monitor and manage energy spending efficiently, supporting your efforts towards Net Zero.needs. Our price matching team doesn’t just match your current quote—we aim to beat it!
AA: For information on smart meters, including the different types of smart meters available, their numerous benefits and how to register your installation online, please visit our dedicated Smart Meter page.
A: No, smart meters are not compulsory. The decision to get a smart meter is completely yours.
A: A business smart meter installation should take about an hour. Your electricity supply will need to be turned off for about 40 minutes. Our engineers will do their best to minimise disruption to your business.
A: In most cases, your new meter (or meters) will be put in the same place as your old one(s).
A: Business gas smart meter upgrades are only available for certain types of meters. We’ll be in touch when we can upgrade yours.
A: Yes. During the installation, we’ll carry out a test and tell you if your signal is strong enough. If you have a weak signal, the meter won’t be able to send smart meter readings to us and our engineer will talk you through your options.
A: It’s possible that we may not be able to install a business smart meter due to factors that are out of our control. One example would be a poor mobile phone signal at your business premises. For this reason, a survey of your premises is needed. If the survey reveals that we’re unable to install a smart meter, we’ll explain the reasons and tell you the options that are open to you.
A: We comply with the ISO 27001 standard for all information security management systems, making sure our customer or energy consumption data is held and transmitted securely.
For details of how we manage your personal customer data, please see our privacy policy.
A. If you’re a micro business and not half-hourly settled, you can opt out of your energy data being used by filling in our opt-out form. We’ll still collect your monthly meter readings to produce accurate bills, but we won’t be able to offer you personalised energy-saving advice.
A: We’ll test your signal to make sure it’s strong enough to send meter readings. Our engineer will then record the final reading on your old meter.
It’ll take about an hour to fit the new business smart meter and your electricity will need to be turned off for about 40 minutes. Our engineer will then take a first reading from your new smart meter.
We’ve signed up to the Smart Metering Installation Code of Practice (SMICoP). This means we’ll always:
- Give you a high quality of service throughout the installation
- Book an appointment at a time to suit your business
- Minimise disruption
- Tell you if we can’t install your smart meter and go through your options
- Show you how your smart meter works
A: Before your installation, please:
- Clear the area around your old meter so it’s easy to get to
- Unlock doors if your old meter is in a cupboard
- Turn off any electrical items like alarms or computers, so they’re not affected when your electricity is turned off
- Tell us if there are times and days when the installation would be most convenient
A: If we’ve missed your appointment please call the installation partner to see if it can be re-scheduled.
If you’re not happy please, raise a complaint.
If you’re a micro business, find out more about the Electricity and Gas (Standards of Performance) (Suppliers) Regulations 2015.