What is a business Smart meter?

Simple icon of a meter

A Smart meter is a gas or electricity meter that automatically sends meter readings to your energy supplier using technology similar to that used in mobile phones. This allows for accurate invoicing without the need for manual readings or visits from a meter reader.

Simple network icon

The latest generation of Smart meters is known as SMETS2. The great thing about SMETS2 meters is that they keep working even if you switch energy suppliers – so you don't have to worry if you have a SMETS2 Smart meter that a different supplier installed.

Smart_Meters_Icon_B

A SMETS2 meter can transmit Half-Hourly (HH) data to the Data Communications Company (DCC) through a communications hub. The DCC oversees a secure wireless network that connects Smart meters with energy suppliers and network operators.

Once your business Smart meter is connected, we'll receive your readings automatically*. This means you won't need to send manual readings and will only be charged for the energy you've used, leading to more accurate invoices.

Please note that to access your HH data or any data that is collected automatically within a month’s frequency, you must provide your consent. To discuss this with us, and to access your consumption data at an HH level, please contact your Customer Relationship Manager or call us on 0800 316 0712.

What are the benefits of using a Smart meter for businesses?

 

Accurate invoices
We’ll use your actual usage to make sure you only pay for the energy you use*
View your usage
To help microbusiness customers better understand their consumption and make informed decisions about their energy supply, we’re making it easier to request your HH information*. If you are not a microbusiness, please get in touch with us using your preferred method so we can discuss your options and enable you to access your HH usage
We’ll take your meter readings for you
As we will be communicating with your Smart meter directly – you can save time by not having to take manual readings every month*
Exchanging to a Smart meter is completely free
Illustration 01

Our Smart meter FAQs

Our team of experts has answered the most common questions we receive.

Read our FAQs

How to read your Smart meter

Not sure which Smart meter you have, or need help taking a reading? Find out here.

Meter read guide

Your Smart meter data choices

Keep reading to learn about the different options available to you and how we protect your data.

Your data choices

Energy efficiency advice

By making thoughtful adjustments, you can optimise energy use, benefitting your budget and improving both performance and environmental impact.

Energy Advice

Your commercial Smart meter data choices

Commercial Smart meters can take automated daily and monthly meter readings, and also track consumption data at an HH level.

For now, we will be taking a monthly reading remotely from your Smart meter for invoicing purposes and to meet regulatory requirements. If this changes, we will notify you and let you know your options.

We are also allowed to take ad hoc meter readings to maintain accurate invoicing where we need to send you an invoice after changes to your account, or:

  • If we need to use the data to resolve a query from you, or;
  • If we think your Smart meter has been damaged or compromised in any way

However, if you would like to see your consumption data at an HH level, please contact your Customer Relationship Manager or call us on 0800 316 0712 to discuss what options are available.

shutterstock_1325342264-1

 

You’ll find more information in your supply Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) under the ‘Smart meter’ section. You can also view more information online at energy-uk.org.uk

Protecting your data

Please be assured that we’ll take great care of your Smart meter data. Only authorised members of staff who have the relevant permissions, and have received the correct training, will have access to information from your meter.

We’ll only share your details with organisations when required to do so by law, or with companies acting on our behalf. This may include organisations that help us manage your account, or network providers delivering energy to your business. But we expect any third parties who may hold your information on our behalf to apply the same standards to safeguard your information.

If required by law, we may also share your data with the police, or other organisations in the prevention of fraud or as part of a criminal investigation.

For independent advice about your rights and choices relating to how your business information is used, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk or via the ICO Helpline on 0303 123 1113.

Smartphone with finance and market icons and symbols concept-2

*As long as your Smart meter is operating and communicating correctly. If there is any fault and/or we’re unable to communicate with your meter, we won’t be able to provide you with this level of insight and there may be a need to arrange for a meter engineer to fix the issue and for manual meter reads to be taken. This may also result in estimated invoicing.

Smart meter FAQs

Understanding Smart meters

What is a Smart meter?

Smart meters are the next generation of energy meters, communicating with energy suppliers via a wireless network similar to mobile phones or long-range radio, depending on the area. With a Business Smart meter, we can read energy usage remotely, allowing for accurate invoicing without manual readings or meter reader visits. However, if there are communication issues, such as a weak signal or unreadable meter data, we may need to estimate invoices, request a manual reading, or send someone to investigate.

Can my business have a Smart meter?

Yes, but there are couple of conditions which will apply:

  • For an electricity customer, the meter on site must be a Profile Class 1 to 4 and must not be Current Transformer (CT) metered
  • For a gas customer, you must have an annual consumption equal to 732,000 kWh or less and you must not be classed as having a large gas meter

What are the benefits of having a Smart meter?

Since we can automatically and remotely take your meter readings, your invoices will always be accurate, meaning you only pay for the energy you've actually used. You won't need to provide any manual readings - we'll take care of that for you.

What is the difference between an Automated Meter Reading (AMR) meter and a Smart meter?

Feature Smart AMR
Records consumption at Half-Hourly (HH) intervals Yes Yes
Stores HH consumption on the meter 13 months - SMETS2 specification Up to one year
Records meter readings daily Yes Yes
Automatically sends meter readings to supplier Yes - the meter itself sends the meter reading on a frequency based on the configuration it has been sent by the supplier. Unless you agree a different frequency, this will be set as monthly No – the Data Collector (DC) runs a reading retrieval process on an agreed frequency and passes these to the supplier. Unless you agree a different frequency, this will be set as monthly
Supports accurate invoicing Yes Yes
Market interoperable Yes (dependent on meter being enrolled in the Data Communications Company (DCC)) Yes (dependent on the supplier having a contract in place with a DC who can support the specific meter type)
Remotely configurable Yes Yes (though limited compared to Smart)
Communications methodology
  • Centrally managed via the DCC - via 3 dedicated communications regions
  • Governed and regulated via the Smart Energy Code (SEC)
  • Via AMR service provider, of which there are several, providing the service on a bilateral basis between the customer and the supplier requiring commercial agreements
  • Governed separately under the Retail Energy Code (REC), Uniform Network Code (UNC) and Consolidated Metering Code of Practice (CoMCoP)
Data
  • Stores a dataset which can be accessed in near real-time, enabling energy demand forecasting, and balance demand across the grid leading to waste reduction
  • Capability to store additional information, such as historical tariff data, load profile data, and other relevant parameters to support advanced energy management services
  • Can send data to other Smart-enabled devices connected to the meter
  • Data is not available in real-time
  • Data is generally limited to HH consumption data in kWh
Cost to the customer There is no cost for having a Smart meter installed There is no cost for having an AMR meter installed

 

Will I be affected by the Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS) programme?

Yes, all energy users in the UK will be affected by MHHS. However, most changes will be behind the scenes. You may be asked to confirm information regarding your meters and supply points to ensure accuracy or to liaise with your Meter Operator (MOP) or supplier where a meter is not working or data collection is impeded. Suppliers and MOPs are currently assessing the most effective workflows and should communicate with customers directly.

For more information, please visit our MHHS hub.

Does nBS comply with the Consolidated Metering Code of Practice (CoMCoP)?

Yes.

We are dedicated to offering you the best service possible. We will schedule appointments at times convenient for you, ensuring minimal disruption to your business. Additionally, we will explain how your Smart meter operates and discuss your options if we cannot install one.

If you’d like to find more information about Smart meters and CoMCoP, please see the links below:

Will there be any changes to my invoices after my Smart meter is installed?

There will be no changes to how your invoices look, but as long as we can communicate with your meter, your charges will be based on your actual usage instead of estimates - meaning you only pay for the energy you've used.

Can I keep my traditional meter?

Unless we have to install an advanced meter due to a licence condition, you don't have to get a Smart or AMR meter if you don't want one. But this means you will miss out on the valuable insights your usage data can offer.

What happens if my old supplier installed my Smart meter?

If you have an older Smart meter from a previous supplier, we will support its functions as best we can. If not, we will treat it as a traditional meter until we can exchange it for a SMETS2 Smart meter, which will allow for full functionality.

Can I change supplier after you've installed a Smart meter?

You can change your energy supplier based on your contract terms.

What happens to my consumption data if we leave our current property?

As stated in the Terms and Conditions (T&Cs), it's essential for you to inform us when you are moving to a new address. This allows us to send a command to your Smart meter, ensuring that your data is not visible to the new occupant. However, your data will still be stored in our systems, allowing us to address any enquiries from you or from regulatory agencies.

About our smart meter appointments

How do I book a Smart meter exchange?

Booking an exchange couldn't be easier; register your interest and a member of our team will be in touch.

When they contact you, they'll explain your options, including the available dates and time slots for your appointment(s).

Please note that when registering your interest, you will need to let us know: 

  1. How to access your site – are there any parking requirements, will our engineer need a permit or a parking ticket?
  2. Where your meter is located – is the meter easily accessible, free from any obstructions and below eight feet in height?
  3. Who the point of contact on the day of the appointment will be – have you included a name and telephone number?

If you have more than one meter you'd like to exchange for a Smart meter, please make sure to let us know when you get in touch. Please note that these may need to be on different days or at different times, depending on availability or site location.

When can I book an exchange?

You can get in touch whenever you're ready.

Our team of experts are here to help and will talk you through everything you need to know before booking your exchange.

Is there a charge for a Smart meter exchange?

No, we exchange Smart meters at no extra cost.

How long will the exchange appointment take?

Depending on your meter's location and the complexity of your existing setup, it should take around an hour for your exchange to be completed.

What will happen during my meter exchange?

A technician acting on our behalf will meet with you at the site. They'll check your existing meter and test the network signal to ensure its strong enough to send meter readings. They'll also take the final reading on your old meter so we can make sure you're not charged for any energy you haven't used.

Your energy meter will need to be turned off for about 40 minutes, and it will take about an hour to fit the new Smart meter. Please note that even if we're installing a new Smart meter for your gas supply, our agent may need to turn your electricity off (for health and safety reasons).

Once the new Smart meter is up and running, our technician will talk you through how to use it and take your first Smart meter reading.

What can I do if my meter is in an area of poor reception?

We can still install a Smart meter, but we will need you to continue to send us your readings so we can work out how much you’ve used.

About your data

Will having a Smart meter mean I won't have to take readings from it any more?

With a fully functional Smart metering system, you won’t need to take manual readings. However, if the communication signal fails or we can't use a sent reading, we may need to estimate invoices or send someone to investigate the issue.

You can learn how to read your business Smart meter if you ever need to look at the information manually.

How can I access my Half-Hourly (HH) consumption information?

If you’re a microbusiness and we’re able to communicate with your meter(s), you are able to access your HH data at no additional cost by visiting our HH data request page.

If you are not a microbusiness, please get in touch with us using your preferred method so we can discuss your options and enable you to access your HH usage.

Please be aware that if there is any fault and/or we’re unable to communicate with your meter, we won’t be able to provide you with this level of insight.

How often will you take my data?

As standard, we will take monthly readings automatically from your Smart meter. If you wish for your data to be collected more frequently, please get in touch with us.

Here are the different options you can choose from:

Option What we’ll collect How this helps you
Daily Monthly and daily readings
  • Your account can be managed effectively
  • You pay for what you use
  • We give you relevant energy-saving advice

Please note that to access your HH data or any data that is collected automatically within a month’s frequency, you must provide your consent.

Monthly A meter reading once a month, with daily readings when necessary
  • Your account can be managed effectively
  • You pay for what you actually use

 

Do Smart meters need to use my phone line or broadband connection?

No - your new Smart meter sends all its data through a special network that’s completely separate from your phone or internet connections.

How secure is the data in a Smart meter? Could it fall into the wrong hands, and can others access and interpret a customer's information wirelessly?

We prioritise security and the safety of your data.

We’ve worked closely with our meter manufacturers to ensure that our installed meters are secure. Using international encryption standards, we safely transmit meter data, allowing only the registered supplier to send commands.

But isn't the data stored in one big database that all suppliers can access?

No, your data is stored in the meter and sent only to us and authorised parties according to your consent.

How long is consumption data kept on a Smart meter?

Actual readings are recorded daily on the meter and stored for 30 days. Consumption data is stored on a SMETS2 Smart meter for up to 24 months.

We’re open:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9am-5 pm
Wednesday 9am-5pm
(Customer Services 9am-12.00pm)
Friday 9am-4.30pm
Excluding public holidays.

Request a callback

REQUEST A CALLBACK