| By Chandraketu Tripathi | Updated April 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Smart meters are free to install and available to all UK households. By April 2026, over 37 million smart meters have been installed across Great Britain. If you haven't got one yet — or if your old SMETS1 meter lost its smart features when you switched supplier — this guide explains how to get a working smart meter, what it actually does, and whether it's worth having. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Key Facts Cost to install: Free | SMETS2 smart meters installed: 37M+ | Average energy saving: 2-3% from behaviour change | Best time-of-use saving (EV): up to £400/year | Installation time: 1-3 hours | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
How to Get a Smart Meter UK 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Smart Meter Benefits: What You Actually Get | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SMETS1 vs SMETS2: Which Do You Have? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| If you got a smart meter before 2019, you likely have a SMETS1 meter. These often stopped being 'smart' when you switched supplier — becoming a standard 'dumb' meter that still needed manual reads. SMETS2 meters (installed from 2019 onwards) communicate via the national DCC network and stay smart regardless of which supplier you use. To check: look at your meter or ask your supplier. If your meter stopped sending automatic readings after a switch, it is likely SMETS1. Request a free upgrade from your supplier. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Time-of-Use Tariffs: The Real Financial Case for Smart Meters | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do I get a smart meter UK? Contact your energy supplier to request a smart meter installation — it is completely free. All major suppliers (Octopus, British Gas, E.on Next, EDF, Scottish Power, OVO) offer smart meter installations. Installation takes 1-3 hours and the engineer replaces your existing meters. You do not need a smart meter to switch supplier — SMETS2 smart meters work with all suppliers. Do smart meters save money UK? Smart meters themselves do not automatically reduce your bill. The savings come from the real-time energy use data they provide — letting you see exactly what appliances cost to run and when you use the most energy. On average, households with smart meters reduce their energy use by 2-3% through behavioural changes. The bigger saving comes from time-of-use tariffs (like Octopus Go) that are only available with a smart meter — saving up to £400/year for EV owners charging overnight. What is the difference between SMETS1 and SMETS2? SMETS1 was the first generation of smart meters — they often lost their smart functionality when customers switched supplier. SMETS2 meters are the current generation and communicate via the national Data Communications Company (DCC) network, meaning they retain smart functionality when you switch. If you have an old SMETS1 meter that lost its smart features, you can ask your supplier to upgrade it to SMETS2. Can I refuse a smart meter UK? Yes — smart meter installation is not compulsory. You have the right to refuse. However, suppliers may be less able to offer time-of-use tariffs or certain smart features without one. If you are on a prepayment meter, you may eventually need a smart prepayment meter as the old-style ones are being phased out. Are smart meters safe UK? Yes — smart meters are safe. They use low-power radio signals to communicate, similar to a WiFi router or mobile phone. The radio frequency electromagnetic fields are well within the limits set by Public Health England. Smart meters do not record when you are at home or what appliances you use — they only transmit total energy use data. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Disclaimer: Always verify with GOV.UK, Ofgem, Acas, and HMRC. Sources: ofgem.gov.uk, uswitch.com, moneysupermarket.com, acas.org.uk, ciphr.com, payfit.com, employeehandbooktemplateuk.co.uk. April 2026. |
Smart Meters UK 2026: How to Get One, Benefits & Common Questions
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