Do I have to accept a smart meter?

What is a smart meter?

A smart meter automatically sends information to your energy provider about how much gas and electricity you use. If you have one, you'll no longer need to manually record your usage.

Energy companies have been asked by the government to take 'all reasonable steps' to install smart meters in homes. But you do have the right to refuse a smart meter if you don’t want one.

If you don't want a smart meter, make this clear to your supplier. It may be able to set up a meter to work in 'dumb' mode, with all communications switched off.

Your energy company may contact you to change your meter to a smart meter. It may tell you your current meter needs replacing because it's too old. If your provider claims there is a safety risk involved, you can ask it to provide evidence of this.

• Visit our detailed guide on smart meters to find out more about what smart meters can do, how safe they are and whether you could save money using one.

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Concerns about smart meters 

Here are some of the concerns people have about smart meters:

• Estimated cost: there is no upfront charge for a smart meter, but the cost of the roll-out is estimated at £11bn. Energy companies are meant to pass on savings to customers but there are concerns about the extent to which they are doing this.
• Security & privacy: Some people have expressed concerns over who can see their consumption data.
• Health concerns: fears about radio frequencies and electromagnetic radiation produced have been raised. The evidence to date suggests exposure to radio waves produced by smart meters doesn't pose a risk to your health. Public Health England (PHE) provides advice and information on the health implications of smart meters. This can be found on the PHE website.

What data does my smart meter collect?

Your smart meter records information about how much gas and electricity you’ve used, but it doesn’t store other personal information that could identify you, such as your name, address or bank account.  

Information about your energy use is protected. There are strict controls on your data, who can access it, and how you choose to share it.

The exception to this is where your data is required for billing, and other regulated purposes. So, you can choose:

• How often your smart meter sends data to your supplier (monthly is minimum, daily or half-hourly are optional)
• Whether to share data about your energy use with other organisations, such as price comparison sites
• If your supplier can use your meter readings for sales and marketing purposes
• Whether your supplier is allowed to share details about your energy consumption with other organisations
• How you can access information about your energy to get the most benefit out of it

Your energy supplier will collect meter readings remotely. If you do not make it aware of your preferences, it can collect a daily meter reading.

You will be able to see your near real time energy consumption data on your in-home display. If you want to download more detailed historic data, you can do so from your home network.

Can I switch suppliers with a smart meter?

Yes, you can switch energy suppliers if you have a smart meter. 

However, it depends on what type of smart meter you have. If you have a SMETS 2 meter, there shouldn’t be an issue with switching (though always check in advance if it will be possible).

However, if you have an older first-generation smart meter (a SMET 1 meter) this could be a barrier to switching suppliers.

This is because not all first-generation meters connect to the central wireless network, called the Data Communication Company (DCC). 

If you have a first-generation smart meter and you want to switch to a supplier that doesn't support your smart meter, you may find that the 'smart' functionality no longer works.  

If this happens, you'd have to take manual readings again, like you would if you had a traditional meter. 

The DCC is currently in the process of upgrading older meters so those with one can switch suppliers without any problems.    

How to get a smart meter

Everyone is entitled to a smart meter if their home is eligible. If you want one, you can either wait for your energy provider to contact you about installing one, or you can contact it to ask. You can also request a smart meter from Smart Energy GB. 

The deadline for smart meters to be rolled out has been pushed back to 2025. For more information on this, you can read our guide on what you need to know about the smart meter roll-out. 

Can you get a smart meter in a rented house?

If you are renting a property and you’re paying the gas or electricity bills, you can choose to have a smart meter installed.

Check your tenancy agreement before you commit to getting one, as there might be a restriction in there about how energy is supplied to the property you’re renting. This could include the type of meter that can be installed.

If your landlord pays for the energy bill, the decision on whether to get a smart meter or not will be up to them.

Do I need my landlord's permission to install a smart meter?

If your tenancy agreement says you need permission to alter the meter, you should contact your landlord first.

Your landlord or letting agency shouldn’t unreasonably stop you from getting a smart meter.

Do I need to tell my landlord about my smart meter?

It’s a good idea to tell your landlord before you get a smart meter installed, even if your tenancy agreement doesn’t say you need to.

Your rights around the smart meter installation process

Before you are supplied with a smart meter, your energy supplier should contact you to arrange a time and date that suits you.

It should also tell you:

• What to expect
• How long the installation will take
• If there are any steps you need to do before the installation

There are also a number of protections you should have as part of your smart meter installation. These include the following:

• There must be no sales during the installation visit and installers must provide energy efficiency advice as part of the visit.
• The installer should talk to you about how to use your smart meter, as well as provide advice on important safety issues, such as how to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Your smart meter installer will need your permission in advance of the visit if they intend to talk about their own products.
• If your installer tries to upsell you, or fails to provide energy efficiency advice as part of the visit, they are in breach of these rules and you should notify your energy supplier.
• You will have a choice about how your energy consumption data is used, apart from where it is required for billing and other regulated purposes.

Your rights if something goes wrong

If your bill changes dramatically, you get a bill you weren’t expecting, or your smart meter shows an error message, there may be a problem.

If you feel your smart meter is faulty or is not registering your data correctly, contact your supplier. It is responsible for making sure your meter works properly and should send someone round to take a look at the problem.