Smart meters

Smart meters are a new generation of gas and electricity meters that provide precise, real-time measurements of your energy usage. (Although basic smart meters have been around for about 40 years.)

This means your bills are completely accurate and you know exactly how much energy your business is using at any given time of day.

Do I have to have a smart meter?

Yes, eventually smart meters will be compulsory for all homes and businesses in the UK.

Smart meters are being rolled-out across the country by 2020 for small businesses. Large businesses will have to have smart meters fitted by 2014.

Some business energy suppliers are already offering smart meters to their customers and they are mandatory for some tariffs.

What do smart meters do?

Smart meters send information on your energy usage direct to your supplier, either by power cables, a short-range radio link or a SIM card, making estimated bills a thing of the past.

As well as showing your energy consumption, your smart meter may give you access to data on how much your energy is costing, so you know exactly what you are spending on business energy on a day-to-day basis.

Can a smart meter help my business save energy?

Yes; there are three ways that a smart meter can indirectly help your business to save money:

1. Energy efficiency

Monitoring your energy consumption is key to becoming more energy-efficient. With the precise information on your business energy usage that smart meters give you, it’s easier to cut costs, save money and become a greener business. There are two types of smart meter - an Automated Meter Reader or AMR (which most suppliers provide) or internet smart meters which come with a package that give you information about your business electricity usage, so you can see exactly where it’s being wasted – for example, by computers or monitors left on standby overnight. According to the Carbon Trust, the average business wastes 20% of the energy it buys, so with the data from a smart meter and some simple changes in behaviour you stand see see significant savings.

2. Flexible tariffs

With smart meters you may also get access to flexible tariffs that are tailored to your business that could help to cut your bills. These can be reviewed regularly too, to ensure you are using your energy in the most efficient way.

3. Accurate bills

Smart meters mean that you always get an accurate bill, based on your actual usage, not an estimate. If you rely on estimated bills you can end up overpaying or underpaying, which can have a very negative effect on your businesses cashflow.

Find a business energy supplier that offers smart meters

uSwitch for business compares business electricity and gas suppliers on your behalf, including companies that offer smart meters.

The following business energy suppliers offer smart meters:

• British Gas Business
• Opus
• Haven
• Total Gas and Power
• SSE
• Ecotricity
• First Utility

Some of these companies also offer an add on for your gas meter which will turn it into a smart meter; just ask when you speak to an advisor.

There’s no charge for switching to a smart meter when you change supplier, however, some suppliers have a standing charge or an additional monthly fee for smart meter customers, depending on the type you choose.

We take these charges into account when we prepare your quote and can help you weigh up whether or not a smart meter is a good choice for your business.

Call us today on 0800 688 8568 or use our online form to request a call. It takes less than a minute to give us your details and one of our experts will get in touch to help you find the right tariff.-