Smart Meter Installation Cost

How Much Does a Smart Meter Cost to Install?

Smart meters are quickly becoming one of the most common choices for gas and electricity meters for households, offering all the information you need at your fingertips and helping you control your expenses.

And you'll be glad to hear that a smart meter installation does not cost anything upfront and is supplied and installed by your energy supplier.

The average cost of a smart meter is added to your energy bill the same way as a standard meter is, averaging at around £30 to £70 per household per month.

However, the price can differ depending on the size of the house and how much gas and electricity gets used, as well as the specific energy company, type of smart meter and the accessibility of your home.

The UK government set a goal for energy suppliers to offer smart meters to all homes by 2019, but this was pushed back. Current coverage is between 60% and 67% of households, with a target to reach 74.5% by the end of 2025.

Types of Smart Meters

There are currently two types of smart meters available for installation in your home: SMETS 1 and SMETS 2, standing for "Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications". The difference between the two is the generation and make of the models. However, both are free to install through your supplier.

SMETS 1

The SMETS 1 meter is the first edition of smart meters that were rolled out and are common in most households so far.

They communicate with your energy supplier via 3G, which can be a problem for some people as this means that if you change to a new supplier, it can potentially lose some of its functions.

Pros

• ✔ 3G technology
• ✔ Accurate bills
• ✔ Track usage

Cons

• ✖ Goes 'dumb' if you switch supplier
• ✖ Reliant on signal
• ✖ In-home display may be inaccurate

SMETS 2

SMETS 2 are the new generation of smart meters currently being installed around the UK to help with the government's push for smart meter adoption by the end of 2025. This type of smart meter is an updated version of SMETS 1, which offers numerous extras to the original model.

Pros

• ✔ Feeds information to a central data network
• ✔ Secure
• ✔ Not reliant on mobile phones/data

Cons

• ✖ Some models can't handle a two-rate tariff
• ✖ Renter will need the landlord's permission if they're not the bill payer
• ✖ The technology can be complicated for less technically minded

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Additional Smart Meter Installation Costs

If your smart meter is being installed by a qualified electrician, it may be worth asking if they can undertake other jobs within your household at an additional cost, saving you money in the long run. Below are a few potential jobs that you may need when installing a smart meter.

Removing Original Meters

This job has to be done by your current energy supplier as it is illegal to complete this job by yourself. The cost to move electric and gas meters can range anywhere between £400 to £1,000 and taking around 4 to 6 weeks.

If you want another supplier to move your meter, then you will have to switch to their company for your future energy bills.

Running Gas to Property

The cost of running gas to a property can typically be around £2000 for a simple connection of 8 weeks, with a complex 12-week connection costing up to £4,000.

Although the cost upfront may be a lot, gas heating can be a lot cheaper and save you heaps of money in the long run.

Electrical Safety Certificate (EICR)

You may need to get an electrical safety certificate to ensure peace of mind on the status of the electrical circuits and appliances within your home.

It is not a legal necessity for households. However, it identifies many hazards and safety concerns for you and your family.

Electrical safety certificates cost around £80 to £150 in the UK depending on the size of the house, the complexity of the job and accessibility. It must also be completed by a certified electrician, who will conduct electrical checks in less than a day for a standard-size house.

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What's Involved in a Smart Meter Installation?

Unlike other jobs around the home where you can hire a relevant trademen to carry out the work on your behalf, a smart meter installation can only be actioned by a representative from your energy provider. That's unless you're also planning to have any other gas and electric meters moved at the same time.

As such, it's certainly not a DIY job, as for moving meters this should only be carried out by a qualified electrician or gas engineer.

Let's take a broad look at the process when having a smart meter installed by your energy supplier:

Before the Job Starts

• Clear the Area — Before an engineer arrives at your property, ensure the area is clear for them to work with minimal obstructions.
• Initial Inspection — your energy supplier engineer will check your home's boiler, as well as any other gas appliances within the property, to ensure they're safe and working.
• Final Meter Readings — Before removing your old meters, the engineer will note down the final readings to ensure your account is accurate and up to date.

During the Job

• Power Suspension — The engineer will temporarily turn off your electricity and gas, usually for around 30 minutes, before starting the installation.
• Meter Swap — The old meter will be removed and replaced with the new smart meter, and the engineer will then turn your power back on.

After the Job

• Final Checks — Once the smart meter is installed, the engineer will verify that the gas and electricity supply is correct and relight any pilot lights on your boiler.
• Testing — The smart meter will be tested via a nearby plug socket to confirm it is functioning correctly.
• User Guidance — The engineer will answer any questions on how to save energy, budget with your meter, and navigate the in-home display.

Building Regulations and Planning Permissions

There are no official building regulations or planning permissions needed when having a smart meter installed. Although if you live in a listed property or conservation area, and any additional work is required, it's best to check with your local council first just in case.

The UK government is aiming to deliver smart meters to 74.5% of all domestic households in the UK by the end of 2025, having already connected 33 million meters across 20 million homes.

If you are not currently eligible for a smart meter, then you can always change supplier if you'd like to receive one. However, if you are unsure or have any questions as to when they will be available to your home, your current energy supplier can provide an estimated timeframe for a free installation.

In cases where your property cannot receive data wirelessly, you may be provided with an alternative solution, although this is also unlikely to have any building or planning permission.

Benefits of Having a Smart Meter

Smart meters are becoming increasingly popular now that our current climate is becoming technologically advanced with each passing day.

There are lots of benefits to smart meters and what they bring to your daily life, so don't be afraid if your energy company is rolling them out, as they're straightforward to use and efficient for your household.

Below are just a few of the advantages of installing a smart meter.

Monitoring

Smart meters are the best way to keep track of your real-time usage through their in-home display. With the in-home display, you can keep track of your gas and electricity usage and exact cost, helping you change the way you use your energy. Now you can see exactly where it's going.

There will also be no scary moments of realising you've run out of credit with your gas and electricity randomly shutting off, as you can set an automatic top-up to your meter in prepayment mode, all from the comfort of your home.

Budget Plan with Exact Billing

As well as monitoring, your in-home display allows you to see the exact amount of money you're spending on electricity and gas, helping you to budget more efficiently and make better decisions about which supplier to choose.

Your smart meter offers up information on a wider scope of tariffs on the current market, allowing you to compare prices and find a better deal.

Eco-Friendly

One of the most popular reasons for wanting a smart meter is how efficiently it can reduce consumption and your carbon footprint through real-time monitoring and accurate readings of your consumption. The dramatic shift to smart meters is a plan for Britain to house a cleaner and more flexible energy system, adapting to greener methods of generating energy.

This can be seen through electric vehicles, solar power and wind power, tackling climate change one household at a time.

Checklist: Hiring a Local Smart Meter Installer

When deciding on a contractor for your smart meter installation, you may not have as much choice as you'd like, as they usually come directly from your supplier. However, below are a few questions you may want to ask your energy supplier before they send someone out to install your smart meter:

• Are you comparing different energy suppliers? Thoroughly search online and compare quotes to make sure you're getting the best deal from a company that installs smart meters quickly, efficiently, and using up-to-date materials.
• Has the installer completed similar jobs before? Can they answer your questions and help you understand how to work the device? Always ask for references and pictures from previous clients, which you can often check on MyJobQuote profiles.
• Do you have a written agreement in place? Discuss and sign a clear outline of the job specification and what services will be included before any work takes place in your home.
• Is the installer insured and do they offer a guarantee? Make sure their work is protected by public liability insurance in case something goes wrong.
• Will they show you how to use the device? Before leaving, the installer should explain how the in-home display works and answer any questions on using the device and saving energy efficiently.