Page last updated on 13th June 2023
FAQs - Smart meters for small businesses
- What are the benefits of smart meters for my small business?
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Smart meters can bring many benefits to small businesses, such as:
- They send your energy readings directly to your supplier, meaning accurate bills and an end to manual meter readings.
- Access to free and regular information on your energy use. Your energy supplier may provide this via an online platform, app, smart meter display or other data tools.
Whilst all energy suppliers may not supply an IHD, all small businesses with a smart meter or advanced meter do have access to free and regular information on their energy use. This could be via an app provided by your supplier, an online platform or other data tools.
- Can my business get a smart meter?
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Small businesses with fewer than 10 employees, or their full time equivalent, may be eligible for a smart meter.
- Can I get a smart meter if my small business is based at home?
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Yes. As every home across Great Britain will be offered a smart meter from their energy supplier by the end of 2025, you will be eligible for a smart meter if your small business is run from domestic premises. If you have a separate meter for your small business in your home, you may also be able to upgrade that to a smart meter.
- Can I get a smart meter if my small business is in a rented premises?
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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.
You may need to check with your landlord that any changes to your meter are allowed within your rental contract.
- Will my small business be charged to get a smart meter?
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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 up-front.
- How long does installation take?
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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?
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Energy suppliers will work with you to find a time that’s convenient for you both. Some suppliers offer installations on a Saturday or in the evening to minimise disruption to your small business; please speak to your supplier to find out what is available.
Sources of Help
Smart Energy GB is the consumer engagement campaign for the smart meter rollout. We want to help everyone understand smart meters and the benefits they bring to households and the environment.
We're not an energy supplier and we don't make or fit smart meters, and we’re not the technical authority of the smart meter rollout.
We also don’t have any regulatory authority so we’re unable to intervene in any individual customer's dialogue with their energy supplier about the service they have received.
Who should I contact if I need help?
If you have an issue with booking your smart meter installation, your installation experience or an issue with your smart meter please contact your energy supplier.
Don't know your energy supplier? For your gas supplier, visit Find My Supplier or call 0870 608 1524. For electricity, visit uSwitch for the number to call to find your energy supplier in your region.
(Charges may apply.)
If you believe that your energy supplier has not met its obligations, Citizens Advice may be able to assist you. Government has given a formal role to Citizens Advice to monitor and advise it on issues relating to customer experiences and energy supplier service. They can be contacted via their website, here or via the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06.
If you’d like to find out more about the roles and responsibilities of the organisations involved with the smart meter rollout, including the Data Communications Company (DCC) which is responsible for establishing and managing the new smart meter network, see our website, here.
You can read about the benefits that smart meters offer small businesses here, and if you want to contact us about our work or campaigns please click here.
For more information on all things small business, visit our SMALL BUSINESS HUB.