Automatic meter reads
Smart meters send up-to-date information to your supplier automatically, so no more dark cupboards and spiderwebs
What is a smart meter?
A smart meter is a device that automatically keeps track of how much gas and electricity you use. It connects wirelessly to a dedicated display which you can keep anywhere in the home, showing you exactly how much energy you’ve used and how much it has cost, right down to the pounds and pence.
A smart meter means your usage data is automatically sent to your supplier, meaning you’ll never get an estimated bill again.
Should I get a smart meter?
While a smart meter won’t save you money in and of itself, it will at least mean more accurate bills. Thanks to the in-house display (IHD) you can see your exact energy usage, and how much your electricity and gas is costing you.
This means you can adapt your habits accordingly so you can lower your bills in the process. This could also mean you doing your bit for the planet by saving energy.
The fact smart meters automatically send readings to your supplier also means never having to remember to take a meter reading again.
You can use a smart meter regardless of what type of tariff you're on - and if you need to switch between a prepayment meter and a variable or fixed-rate tariff, your supplier can arrange this remotely using your meter.
If your supplier is offering you one, it’s probably a good idea to take them up on their offer.
What does a smart meter do?
They’re called smart meters for a good reason: they do a far better job than the old-style gas and electricity meters (and prepay meters) they’re replacing.
-
-
Only pay what you owe
Because usage data is sent automatically, your supplier will never bill you on estimated use – you pay for what you consume
-
Smart data display
You also get an in-home display (IHD), a gadget that monitors your usage and costs, giving accurate readings both in pounds and kilowatt hours
What types of smart meter are there?
There are two types of smart meter at present – known as SMETS 1 and SMETS 2, they represent the first and second generations of the technology (SMETS stands for ‘Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications').
SMETS 1 meters are the more common variety – with around 18m in circulation – and they use 3G to communicate with your supplier. This means that they lose some of their functionality when you switch supplier, going ‘dumb’ and working like a regular meter.
SMETS 2 meters are now being installed across the UK. These work differently: they feed their information into a central data network that all suppliers can access, so they don’t go dumb when you switch – and you can still keep an eye on all your analytics.
How do I get a smart meter?
There aren’t many downsides to smart meters: they let you take control of your usage and your spending. The government says the rollout has already reached over 20m households in the UK, which leaves plenty more to go.
However they’re not available to everyone at once. Here’s what you need to know:
Suppliers are rolling out installations by area, so ask if you’re eligible now. If not, your energy provider should be able to give you a timeframe
You can try and switch onto a tariff that requires smart meters, and some providers may fast-track your installation to accommodate this request
If smart meters aren’t available to your area yet, you should be able to register your interest – which may put you higher up the list when the time comes
Not every house is eligible: they communicate wirelessly, and your current meters may be too far from your home – especially if you live in an older block
What are the pros and cons of smart meters?
Not sure if a smart meter is right for you? We take a look at everything that's good about them. And everything that's not so good...
-
Pros
Allows you to see exactly how much energy you’re using
Automatically sends readings to suppliers, meaning no bill estimates
Makes it easier to adjust usage, to save energy and save money
-
Cons
Some smart meters require a phone signal, meaning they may not work in homes where meters are underground
Can cause undue anxiety about how much you’re spending on energy
Are smart meters free?
Yes, all smart meters are free from suppliers who offer them., which is means you don't have to pay anything at the point of purchase.
This is because they’re offered under a government scheme designed to get all homes connected to a smart meter. By having more of them rolled out, the UK can produce a 'smart grid' with better, more accurate information about the country's energy usage.
The actual cost is absorbed by everyone’s energy bills.
Trusted Service Awards Winners
MoneySuperMarket has won the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, an independent seal of excellence, which recognises businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
-
Gas & electricity
Don’t take price rises lying down
We’re constantly looking for better energy deals for you. So when the market returns to normal, we'll do all we can to put you in control of your bills.
-
Business energy
Cut your business energy costs
Whether you run a small business or something larger, high energy bills can cause your costs to rocket. We can help find the right business energy supplier for you.
Are smart meters mandatory?
No. Smart meters are not compulsory. However, you may find that some suppliers will only offer you a competitive tariff on condition that you have a smart meter fitted. New-build properties are now built with smart meters already installed instead of the old style electricity and gas meters.
Why were smart meters introduced?
The government wants every home and small business in England, Scotland and Wales to have smart meters as soon as possible. Energy suppliers have been given the job of offering their customers upgrades to smart meters, and then installing them if the customer agrees (they are not compulsory).
The original target for completing the roll-out of around 50 million meters was 2020, but with fewer than 20 million installed by mid-2019, the deadline has been extended.
The aim with smart meters and the associated display monitor is to make bills accurate and to provide households and businesses with information on how much energy they are using, and how much it is costing. The belief is that this information will encourage people to use energy more efficiently, delivering savings in excess of £1 billion a year by 2030.
How are smart meters installed?
The smart meter installation process is relatively simple. An engineer will temporarily suspend your energy supply, before swapping your old gas and electricity meters for the new smart meters and turning the power back on.
The new meters generally go where the old meters were located, but the engineer will let you know if they have to go somewhere else. If your old meters are very old, they could be more difficult to replace than more recent models, especially if they’re in hard-to-reach places.
What does a smart meter cost?
There is no up-front cost for a smart meter – instead the price of the whole smart meter programme is absorbed into everyone’s energy bills. The real-time display should theoretically even lead to cost savings, as research suggests that people who monitor their energy consumption use less.
What’s the difference between a smart meter and a smart thermostat?
Smart meters and smart thermostats are different devices – meters provide you with information about usage and costs on an in-home display, smart thermostats instead enable you to control your thermostat via a phone, tablet or computer, wherever you are.
The two devices often pair well together: you can use a smart meter to monitor your costs, so when you use the smart thermostat to turn up the heating, you can see how much extra it’s costing you nearly in real time.
Are smart meters a health issue?
Smart meters are perfectly safe, although some people may be concerned about the levels of radiation given off my smart meters.
Smart meters give off microwaves, which can cause cancer in intense bursts. However British Gas and Cancer Research UK have stated that the levels of microwave radiation are actually lower than those given off by TVs, smartphones and microwaves. As a result, they’ve been given the all-clear in homes across the UK.
Is electricity more expensive through a smart meter?
No. Electricity is the same price, whether you have a smart meter or not. However, a smart meter means that your bills will always be based on actual usage as opposed to an estimate. This means you won’t ever overpay for energy you have not used.
Can I insist my smart meter is removed?
You can't go back to a traditional meter once you've had a smart meter installed. Not least because traditional meters are no longer being manufactured or refurbished.
However, there may be an option to turn off some of the smart features of the meter, such as the regularity of the automatic readings.
How does MoneySuperMarket make money?
We make our money by saving you money. Our comparison service is, and will always be, free to use.
We get paid by the companies we work with, but the payment we get doesn’t have any bearing on the information we provide. We get paid in different ways, depending on the type of product or service you buy through us. Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible, but we only show results from our partner providers.
Why should I use a price comparison website?
One of the best ways to get the lowest prices and best deals is to compare quotes from different companies. We do the work for you, comparing quotes side-by-side and giving you all the information you need so you can choose the right deal for your needs and your wallet.
We don’t give recommendations or financial advice, but we give you clear information so you can choose financial products that suit your circumstances.
Does MoneySuperMarket work with all the providers on the market?
No, not every company can be included in our service. This is because some companies don’t want their products included on comparison sites, and some decide that they would rather not pay a fee. There are also a few smaller providers who can struggle to cope with the volume of customers that can find their products if they appear on MoneySuperMarket.
Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible so that you can choose the deal that suits you.
Looking for other energy options?
Reviewed on 11 Dec 2025