How to get the most from your smart meter
Published 8 August 2025
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2025
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Here are some simple steps you can take before, during, and after installation to help make the process smoother, and ensure you’re benefitting as much as possible.
Before installation
- Prepare for the appointment: Ensure you have access to the current meters and that the surrounding area is clear and safe for the engineer’s visit.
- Know what to expect: You should read any information your energy supplier sends about what will happen during the installation visit.
- Let your energy supplier know about any accessibility needs: If you, or someone in your household, needs additional support, let your energy supplier know in advance so they can take steps to minimise and avoid disruption.
During installation
- Ask questions: Installers will demonstrate how to use and benefit from smart meters.
- Support a smooth visit: Ensure your meters are accessible and tell your installer about anything they should be aware of.
After installation
- Make the most of the IHD: Using your IHD regularly can help to better understand and manage energy use.
- Ask about Accessible IHDs: If you or someone in your household has visual, memory, or dexterity needs, energy suppliers should offer an Accessible In-Home Display (AIHD), which includes larger text, braille, buttons, and speech options. You can speak to your energy supplier or installer about this if you or somebody in your household would benefit from using one.
- Manage energy usage by a means of your choice: There are other devices or monitoring methods that can connect to smart meters in addition to an IHD to track energy use in a way that suits you. Energy suppliers can explain what they offer and how it might suit your needs.
- Explore flexible tariffs: Smart meters allow access to time-of-use or other flexible tariffs, sometimes known as ‘smart’ tariffs. These could save you money depending on when and how you use energy. For example, if you have an electric vehicle (EV), you can access a smart tariff that provides a much cheaper rate during the night to charge your vehicle.
- Stay informed: Keep up to date with smart metering updates, new features, and support tools from energy suppliers and trusted sources like Smart Energy GB.