Smart meters: helping you save energy around the clock
Getting a smart meter installed will help you monitor how much energy you’re using and when you’re using it. Knowing this, you can pinpoint ways of running your home more efficiently and saving money.
We’re currently rolling out smart meters to Ecotricity customers. We have two meter installers, Lowri Beck/Calisen and AES, one of whom will be in touch with you when installations are about to start in your area.
As a supplier, we have to adhere to Smart Meter Installation Standards. You can read about these specific national standards by visiting the Retail Energy Code website: https://recportal.co.uk/smis.
You can find out more about our smart meter targets and how to use them in our FAQ section, or visit smartenergygb.org which also explains the smart meter rollout across the UK.
Don’t miss out on your FREE smart meter
Never read your meter again
Always receive accurate bills (never estimated!)
Access smart tariffs and save money
By installing a smart meter, you’re helping us to get one step closer to a greener Britain – and that’s our mission.
Find out more about the benefits of smart meters.
Ready to get your smart meter?
Call Calisen Metering* on 0161 513 7945
*Our smart meter installation partner
What are smart meters? - FAQs
Smart meters are the new generation of electricity and gas meter. They automatically send meter readings directly to your energy supplier – which means no more estimated bills – so you’ll only pay for the energy you’ve used. Instead, you’ll receive more accurate bills and won’t have to send us meter readings anymore.
Use less, pay less
Your smart meter will show you how much energy you're using in real time and how much it’s costing you. You can even compare it with what you’ve used over the last day, month or year.
Smart from your sofa
Your smart meter lets you view your energy use on the handy In-Home Display (IHD).
No more regular meter readings
Your meter tells us exactly how much energy you’re using and sends us your readings automatically. That means there’s less need for you to submit meter readings, and you’ll get fewer visits from our meter readers.
Accurate statements
We’ll know how much energy you’re using, so there’ll be no need for any more estimated bills, meaning you’ll only have to pay for the energy you use.
Easy pre-payment
Ecotricity pre-payment smart meters make it easier to pay for your energy. When you make your payment, your smart meter will top up automatically – you won’t need to put a card in the meter. You can also top up your meter through our app, so no more treks to the shop!
Smart meters use wireless communication technology to pass information – such as meter readings – between customers and energy suppliers.
Smart meters operate on two networks:
The Wide Area Network (WAN) – this allows smart meters to communicate with suppliers over a long distance. Customer meter readings are sent to their supplier using a mobile signal – a bit like sending a text on your mobile phone.
The Home Area Network (HAN) – this is the network that allows your electricity and gas meters to communicate with each other, as well as with your in-home display.
Put another way, your smart meters communicate with you about your energy consumption through the HAN, plus they send us your meter readings through the WAN.
Smart meters use low level radio waves to send meter readings to energy suppliers.
There are many everyday devices which use radio waves – for example, radio and TV transmitters, mobiles phones and Wi-Fi.
Public Health England (PHE) have reviewed the evidence and concluded that exposure to these low-level radio waves poses no health risks. Smart meters have gone through rigorous safety testing procedures and exceed every UK and EU safety standard. PHE say that exposure to radio waves from smart meters is well within guideline levels, they are many times lower than the exposure from Wi-Fi or mobile phones.
Yes - although we do recommend the benefits, there is no legal obligation to have a smart meter installed.
If you need to exchange due to a meter fault or emergency, it is very likely that the engineer will be installing a smart meter in place of your traditional one. These are the meters that are now being manufactured as standard and are the only ones that are readily available.
If you'd like to opt out of having a smart meter, you can email your name and account number to smart@ecotricity.co.uk, call us on 0345 812 5555.
Almost certainly! If you already have a smart meter, we may simply be able to change the mode so that it works as a two-rate meter. We can do this remotely, so an engineer won’t have to visit your home.
If you don’t have a smart meter but would like one, then we’ll need to arrange for an engineer to attend your property. Currently, having a smart meter installed is free, so if you’d like your meter exchanged to an Economy 7 smart meter, we can arrange that. Just contact us and let us know.
Security has been a really important part of the smart meter programme from the start, meters are designed with strong security features to protect your data and privacy.
Smart meters don't connect to the public internet - they operate on a secure system. Energy companies use advanced encryption and follow strict regulations to ensure your information is kept safe.
The meters store information about how much electricity and gas you've used, but they don't store any personal details such as your name, contact information or bank details.
No one will be able to see your consumption data without your consent - it's between you and your energy supplier.
Smart meters are a great way to help our customers monitor their energy consumption, save money and reduce emissions, plus avoid the hassle of having to submit meter readings.
Smart meters will help us as the energy supplier too, as in the future we will be offering advanced tariffs and products that make use of smart meter technology.
The government requires energy suppliers to offer smart meters to all homes and small businesses across Britain by the end of 2025.
Smart meters are available at no extra cost and will be installed without charge by your energy supplier, even if you rent.
We’re developing the functionality for second generation smart meters. If you’re a Pay As You Go customer and you’d like a smart meter, let us know by contacting us on smart@ecotricity.co.uk or call 0345 812 5555.
Smart meter installation process - FAQs
Both your current electricity and gas meters will be replaced with smart meters, and you’ll also receive an in-home display.
An engineer will visit your home, safely remove your old meters, install new smart meters, and then talk you through how to use them.
We’re installing smart meters in stages. We have two meter installers, Calisen Metering and AES, one of them will be in touch with you when installations are about to start in your area.
In most cases a dual fuel smart meter installation (gas and electricity) should be completed in about 2 hours. Appointments can be booked for mornings or afternoons on the day of your choice.
Smart meters are being installed in homes across Britain for free – and our meter installer will be in touch soon to let you know when we’re ready to install yours.
No, you do not need to have an internet connection for smart meters to work. Depending on your location your smart meters will communicate by either using existing mobile or radio signals currently in your area.
Yes, both your traditional gas and electricity meters will be upgraded to smart meters. You'll also receive an in-home display (IHD) which will show usage for both electricity and gas.
The new meters will be installed in the current location of your gas and electricity meters.If you have difficulties getting to your new smart meters and want to move them to somewhere more convenient, you’ll need to speak to your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) or National Grid. Just to let you know, they will charge you for the changes you request.
Before your installation
One of our meter installers, either Calisen or AES Smart Metering, will contact you to arrange a time and date for your installation. They will tell you what to expect, how long it will take and if there’s anything you need to do.You will need to let the installer in on the day and make sure they can access your current meters - you might need to clear out the cupboards! If you think there might be any access issues, let us know by calling contacting us on smart@ecotricity.co.uk or 0345 812 5555.
During your installation
Depending on whether you're having one or both meters replaced, you'll get a smart electricity meter and/or a smart gas meter. These normally go exactly where your old meters were. If they need to be fitted somewhere else, the installer will ask you first.You’ll also be offered an in-home display, free of charge. This is a portable display screen you can put anywhere in your home. You don’t have to have one, but it’s the easiest way to see what energy you’re using and what it’s costing you.
On arrival your installer will:
Show you a photo ID card before they start.
Explain what your smart meter system does and how to use it.
Check your new meter(s) work properly.
Give you a handy guide about your smart meter.
Answer any questions you have.
Tell you where you can find more help and information.
All new meters will be installed by one of our partners, Calisen or AES. All our meter installers have to pass a formal qualification and meet specific national standards. As a supplier, we have to adhere to Smart Meter Installation Standards. You can read about these specific national standards by visiting the Retail Energy Code website: https://recportal.co.uk/smis
If you need to change your smart meter appointment, all you need to do is call the number provided in your smart metering confirmation email or letter.
Roll out Year 1- 2022
Electricity target: 11,258
Electricity installs: 8,436
Gas target: 8,344
Gas installs: 4,617
Roll out Year 2- 2023
Electricity target: 10,481
Electricity installs: 5,351
Gas target: 7,421
Gas installs: 3,577
Roll out Year 3- 2024
Domestic
Electricity target: 8,674
Electricity installs: 3,371
Gas target: 8,718
Gas installs: 2,409
B2B
Electricity target: 1,306
Electricity installs: 225
Gas target: 925
Gas installs: 3
Roll out Year 4- 2025
Domestic
Electricity target: 11,873
Gas target: 13,569
B2B
Electricity target: 3,865
Gas target: 1,189