Key points
- Smart meters allow households to see real-time information on their energy usage and costs.
- They are an energy management tool that can enable households to save on their energy costs, with 86% of smart meter users reducing their energy usage1 after changing their meter.
- Over half of UK homes now have a smart meter, with around 10,000 installations happening each working day.2 Installations are free and can be completed by the energy supplier upon request.
- The greater the uptake of smart meters nationally, the greater the shared benefit to UK households. A smarter overall energy system increases the efficiency and reliability of energy usage, reducing bills for everybody.
- Overall, the smart meter rollout is expected to generate £6 billion net benefit,3 with £5.6 billion in bill savings for households across the UK.
- The network that supports smart meters currently reaches 99.3% of properties, but connectivity issues can also arise in some areas.
- In the event of an issue with a smart meter’s functionality or connectivity, customers should contact their supplier.
Why switch to a smart meter?
Metering has become one of the last analogue services in the digital world. With so much nowadays being digital, energy still has some way to catch up. Smart meters are changing that, and bringing energy monitoring into the digital age. In fact, the adoption of smart and advanced meters has increased from just 1% in 2012 to 63% in 2024.2 That’s nearly two-thirds of UK homes now benefiting from this technology.
With meters providing real-time data, households can get more accurate billing, see exactly how much energy they’re using and what it costs. This visibility can be accessed on the in-home display (IHD) or through apps on smartphones, allowing people to make better-informed decisions about their energy use, particularly around high-consumption appliances.
How can using a smart meter save energy customers money?
Reaching more households with smart meters is essential to unlocking the full benefits of a smarter, more efficient energy system for everyone. When a significant number of people have smart meters, the system becomes more efficient—lowering energy bills, increasing reliability, and supporting flexible energy services. However, as with any major infrastructure upgrade, the smart meter rollout faces challenges.
These include connectivity issues in certain areas and a shortage of trained installers. The industry remains focused on addressing these issues to ensure more people can benefit.
Why is it important to complete the smart meter rollout?
Reaching more households with smart meters is essential to unlocking the full benefits of a smarter, more efficient energy system for everyone. When a significant number of people have smart meters, the system becomes more efficient—lowering energy bills, increasing reliability, and supporting flexible energy services. However, as with any major infrastructure upgrade, the smart meter rollout faces challenges.
These include connectivity issues in certain areas and a shortage of trained installers. The industry remains focused on addressing these issues to ensure more people can benefit.
What should you do if your smart meter isn’t working?
While the vast majority of meters are working as expected, you might be facing issues due to mobile signal strength or communication hubs that link meters to the network. Smart meters rely on a network built specifically for smart meters, managed by the Data Communications Company (DCC). While the DCC network reaches 99.3% of properties, it’s possible that certain areas may have limited or no coverage. Areas within the North of England and Scotland may be affected and industry is working hard to ensure this issue is resolved as soon as possible.
In these areas, the smart meter may not be able to transmit data, but this doesn’t mean the meter is faulty—it simply can’t communicate with the network. The sector is also working at pace to address these issues. Additionally, mobile signal strength in certain areas can affect the smart meter’s ability to send data. Even when the DCC network is available, poor mobile coverage can lead to connectivity issues.
If the smart meter or IHD is not functioning properly, it’s likely a temporary issue that can be resolved remotely by the supplier. If the IHD isn’t showing data, it doesn’t necessarily mean the smart meter isn’t working, it may still be able to track the usage via a smartphone app until the issue is resolved.
I am on the Radio Teleswitch Service, what happens when it gets turned off?
If the smart meter is on the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), the customer should know that the network is due to be switched off in June 2025 and will need to move to an alternative metering solution. RTS is used to remotely switch electricity meters between different tariff rates via Longwave Radio transmission, but this technology is being phased out. Currently, around 800,000 properties in the UK use RTS,4 particularly in areas without mains gas.
Suppliers are reaching out to affected customers to arrange for new metering options, including the installation of smart meters. If the customer has RTS equipment, it’s important to contact the supplier to discuss alternatives and ensure the metering setup is updated ahead of the transition. For further information, visit Energy UK’s RTS explanation.
Is it safe to have a smart meter installed?
Smart meters are both safe and secure. The energy industry has worked closely with the Government to ensure the highest health and safety standards during their rollout. Engineers installing these meters undergo extensive training and are qualified to safely work with gas and electricity, with gas meter installers required to be on the Gas Safe Register. They are also trained to provide advice on energy efficiency, electrical safety, and gas safety. All smart meters must meet strict accuracy standards monitored by the Office for Product Safety and Standards.
1 Smart Energy GB (2024) Smart meter reviews: Learn about the benefits
3 Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (2023) Energy Security Bill: Smart Metering
4 Ofgem (2024) Energy sector taskforce unites to tackle Radio Teleswitch challenge
Downloads
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Energy UK Explains – smart meters
Type: PDF (90 KB)
