Smart meters for small businesses

Smart meters are helping small businesses around the country save time and money by taking control of their energy use. Smart meters send your energy readings directly to your supplier, meaning accurate bills and an end to time spent submitting manual meter readings.

As a small business owner, you know how important it is to make sure the small things run smoothly to keep your business going. Smart meters help you focus on the big things by sending accurate energy readings direct to your supplier, freeing up your time to focus on your business instead.

What is a smart meter?

Smart meters are the next generation of gas and electricity meters currently being rolled out in homes and small businesses across Great Britain by energy suppliers.

Smart meters digitally measure how much energy you’re using and send your meter reading directly to your energy supplier at agreed intervals – putting an end to estimated bills.

Benefits for small businesses

Control

Smart meters can give you more control over your business’s energy spend thanks to the data they provide. Being more aware of how much energy you’re using and when you’re using it means you can make small changes to make your business more efficient.

Accuracy

Smart meters give you accurate energy bills, so you pay for the energy your business actually uses, rather than through estimated bills. This is because the smart meter digitally measures how much energy you’re using in near-real time and sends your meter reading directly to your energy supplier at agreed intervals. This means you will no longer have to send meter readings to your supplier and puts an end to estimated bills.

Sustainability

Smart meters are the foundation of a smarter and more flexible energy system for Great Britain. A smart energy system uses digital technology and data to improve its efficiency. This helps the energy system better manage the supply and demand of energy in order to reduce waste. It will also be able to integrate more renewables into the system. With future demands for electricity set to increase, it has never been more important to upgrade Britain’s energy system to one that is more sustainable and less reliant on non-renewable fuel sources.

How to get a smart meter for your business

You may be eligible for a smart meter if your business has the following:

• fewer than 10 employees or their full time equivalent (including the business owner)

• an annual turnover of less than £1.67 million; or

• an energy consumption of no more than 100,000 kWh of electricity per year; or

• a gas consumption of no more than 293,000 kWh per year

If you rent your business space but don’t have your own gas and/or electricity meter, then you can ask your landlord if they plan to get one for your building.

Smart meter offerings may vary between energy suppliers, and each supplier could have different related terms and conditions. You may also be able to get a smart meter if you have a small business with more than 10 employees. Contact your energy supplier for more details or go to Smart meters for small businesses | Smart Energy GB.

Will my business be charged to get a smart meter?

Through the national rollout, many small businesses can get a smart meter at no extra cost. Depending on your business’s energy supplier and tariff, you may be charged for a part of the upgrade or for access to your energy usage data. Your supplier will let you know about any charges upfront.

Can I get a smart meter if my business is in rented premises?

Yes. If you pay the energy bills you can make the decision about whether to get a smart meter. If your landlord pays your energy bills, speak with them about getting a smart meter for your building.

How long does installation take?

Installations normally take about two hours and are arranged in advance so that you can make any necessary arrangements beforehand to ensure minimal disruption to your normal business operations.

Can I arrange installation outside of working hours?

Your energy supplier will work with you to find a time that’s convenient for you both. Contact your supplier to find out what is available.