Make Your Business Smarter With A Smart Meter

Smart Meters have been well-discussed in terms of residential addresses. Perhaps you already have one in your home. Or maybe a friend has been raving about theirs. 

But did you know that these meters can be helpful to your business as well as your home? If you have a small business in the UK, you could be eligible for a smart meter, which will help you monitor your gas and electricity usage. 

Going Smart 

There is a plan in place for the use of smart meters. The government has set electricity and mains gas suppliers the target of making the technology available to every home in England, Scotland and Wales by 2023 – that is 26 million households in total. 

So, why the emphasis on smart meters? To phase out imprecise estimated readings in favor of up-to-the-minute digital energy usage recordings, taken by smart meters. These measurements are then sent directly to energy suppliers and used to generate fully accurate bills, based on actual usage. 

Homes have already received the attention of smart meters then, so let's take a look at businesses. Run a small business with fewer than 10 employees? Then, chances are, you’re entitled to a smart meter too. If in doubt, simply ask your energy supplier or broker. If your energy bills are included in the rent you pay for your commercial premises, it is the bill payer who needs to make the request for your smart meter – so ask your landlord. 

The Benefits To Your Business 

Here are a few examples of the ways a smart meter can help your small business: 

No Surprises

No more estimated readings means no more projected bills. Which means no nasty surprises when you're managing your frugal finances. 

See Your Usage 

See all the patterns and spikes in usage with your smart meter. Are those 3 o’clock office tea rounds causing a spike in usage as the kettle goes into overdrive? Is your business wasting energy outside of normal working hours because computers are being left on overnight? These are issues a smart meter can help you identify and, more importantly, act on – whether that means investing in a hot water urn or reminding employees to switch off their machines at night. Developing a heightened awareness and understanding of your energy usage also makes you more likely to make smarter money and energy-saving decisions across your business. 

Leave Meter Readings Behind 

Your smart meter reads and sends its own meter readings. It does its thing, you do yours. Simple.

Quicker Response To Power Cuts 

With Britain's energy network enjoying an upgrade with smart meters, suppliers can respond quicker to reports of a power cut. 

The Greener Future 

There is a bigger plan in place for Britain's energy supply. Put simply, the long- term plan is to create a fully integrated smart grid linking different hardware, communications and other technologies together in something of an internet for gas and electricity. Smart meters are a crucial step towards this vision, which will eventually serve homes and businesses alike with greener, more efficient, less wasteful and more cost-effective energy. 

Improving Tariffs 

Smart meters don't just help the customer, but the supplier too. They help suppliers to identify usage patterns too – and it is this kind of information that suppliers need to develop new, innovative tariffs for residential and business gas prices. 

How To Get Your Smart Meter 

You can easily get a smart meter for your business. Once you’ve made the initial move of speaking to your energy supplier or broker (or your landlord, in the case of rented premises), here is what will happen: 

1. When?  After checking your eligibility, your energy supplier will contact you to arrange a day. They will work with you to ensure this is a time that works for both parties, and causes minimal disruption to the running of your business 

2. Where?  A specially trained installer will visit your premises. 

3. Wow!  Upon completion, your installer will show your staff and yourself how to use the smart meter, as well as taking any questions. 

And that’s sorted! As soon as your smart meter is in, your business can start reaping the benefits. 

Surveys 

Post-installation surveys show a high level of customer satisfaction. For example, the Smart Meter Customer Experience Study carried out last year by the government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy revealed that 80% of those surveyed were satisfied with the technology itself, while 89% were pleased with the installation visit. 

The Bottom Line On Business Smart Meters

So, what are you waiting for? Talk to your supplier today for more information on smart meters for your company to save energy.


I hope you enjoyed this article about how to make your business smarter and more efficient with smart meters.

Interested in more articles about improving energy efficiency?

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