At the end of 2021, there were over 1,600,000 smart meters being used by businesses across the UK, a number that has no doubt increased.
Getting a smart meter installed at your business premises means you’ll be able to see exactly how and when you’re using energy, which can really help to lower your bills and assist your energy efficiency efforts. Here is everything you need to know.
How can your SME benefit from Smart Meters?
The ongoing energy crisis has left many businesses feeling uncertain about their gas and electricity bills. Having a smart meter allows you to monitor your consumption and prevents you from being overcharged by your supplier.
Due to regular real readings being taken, you will only be charged for the energy you actually use and not an estimate, giving your company more accurate bills. As a result of this, your company is then able to make adjustments to its energy use or consumption and inform personnel of these changes.
These sorts of metres let you to choose a smart tariff, which is frequently less expensive, and save time and effort by eliminating the need to take or submit metre readings.
Additionally, your company has the right to ask their energy provider for free online access to (up to) 12 months’ worth of their historical smart metre energy consumption data. Within 10 working days, suppliers must reply to data access requests, either by allowing access to the requested data (if all legal conditions are satisfied) or by explicitly stating why the request was denied and describing the future actions.
Are Smart Meters mandatory for my business?
Energy providers must install smart metres for their residential and small-business customers, with the UK government establishing regulations to ensure that they do so in a way that is in the best interests of customers. These regulations cover data access, security, and technical requirements for the smart metering equipment.
By 2025, all home and some non-domestic premises will be fitted with smart meters as standard. Individuals won’t be required by law to have one, though, unless their current meter is broken or has run out of certified life. Energy providers must install smart metres and make all practical efforts to reach everyone.
Is my company eligible for a Smart Meter?
As long as your supply meets the criteria as being NHH (non-half hourly) and in Profile Class 1-4, then you are eligible for a smart meter. Generally, your small business meter would likely be profile class 3 or 4:
Profile Class 3 – Non-Domestic Unrestricted Customers (single rate)
Profile Class 4 – Non-Domestic Economy 7 Customers (two rate)
Businesses with profiles 3 & 4 are eligible for a smart meter. If you are classified as a nonmicrobusiness, you will be able to choose between a smart meter or an AMR meter.
Businesses with profiles 05-08 are referred to as Maximum Demand (MD) customers. If your business falls into this category, your meter will have the ability to measure peak demand for a given period and would not be eligible for a smart meter.
Can I get a smart meter if my small business is based at home?
Yes. As every home across Great Britain will be offered a smart meter from their energy supplier by the end of 2025, you will be eligible for a smart meter if your small business is run from domestic premises. You could also be able to change a separate home meter for your small company to a smart meter.
Can I get a Smart Meter if my business is in a rented premises?
Yes. The option to purchase a smart meter is yours to make if you pay your energy bills. Ask them about installing a smart meter for your building if your landlord pays your energy bills.
Depending on your rental agreement, you might need to confirm that any meter adjustments are permitted.
Does Smart Meter installation cost?
The installation of a normal smart metre is typically free, and maintenance expenses are handled in the same manner as those for your current metre. If, however, additional work is needed to make room for the installation of a smart metre, there may be a fee involved.
Are there any reasons why a supplier should not be able to install one?
There are times when an installation must be stopped for a variety of reasons, such as the discovery of a health and safety problem that must be resolved before a metre can be installed. Your provider has to get in touch with you to outline what occurred, why it happened, and what to do next.
What distinguishes an AMR metre from a smart metre?
AMR stands for Automated Meter Reading device. An AMR meter works by creating a connection channel between a business customer and its energy supplier.
AMR meters can only communicate with their provider in one direction. There is no need for manual metre readings because the energy provider will get metre reads once a month. This guarantees proper invoicing and enables the consumer to see their statistics on energy use.
A smart meter has two-way communication between the energy supplier and the business customer as opposed to an AMR meter’s one-way communication from the client to the energy provider. They differ in terms of the information they offer as well. AMR metres only report on kWh usage and potential monthly peaks in kW demand. In addition, technical factors like signal may affect whether you have an AMR or Smart metre installed.
Switching Energy Suppliers
Switching your energy supplier could save you money but it can take time to organise. Here is everything you need to know about switching as an SME.
How can I find the best energy deal?
There are a few ways you can go about securing the best energy deal for your business. To start you can contact the supplier you already have to see what they can offer so you can compare this with other providers before agreeing a contract. You can use a comparison website or phone different energy suppliers to do so.
Many businesses opt to use an energy broker to procure the best deal. This not only takes all the pressure off you, but working with industry experts allows you to know your getting the best deal possible.
If you use a broker, ask which suppliers they represent so you know if they can offer a full-market comparison. Make sure you are clear on the terms of their service. For example, they may charge a one-off finder’s fee or integrate their fee as part of a commission agreement in a contract you choose to sign up to.
It’s also wise to request written proposals from suppliers, even when comparing offers over the phone, before you declare you accept to a corporate energy contract. Phone contracts are legally binding.
When may my switch be blocked by a supplier?
If your contract with your current supplier at the time you notify them of the switch includes a clause allowing your supplier to block the switch, or if you have not yet signed a contract with your new supplier and ask your current supplier to block the new contract, suppliers may request to block your switch. If you owe money for the Green Deal Charges, a loan programme that you repay in instalments through your account, suppliers may also want to prevent your switch request.
This holds true until there is a disagreement over the Green Deal costs, such as when your provider accidentally gave the incorrect amount. They effectively do not constitute as grounds to try to stop your changeover since in these situations the full amount owing must be in dispute. In the event that your supplier requests to block your switch, they must notify you as soon as reasonably practicable, detailing the request’s justifications, the grounds for the request, and your options for contesting or resolving those justifications.
Your Rights as an SME
Its important you’re aware of your rights as an SME, In the UK, all energy consumers have a number of rights that protect them from being abused by energy suppliers.
If your looking to make a complaint:
Firstly speak with your energy provider – Energy suppliers are required to provide a complaints procedure that is clear to customers, well-resourced, and effective.
Their website need to detail how they handle complaints. You can complain by phone, email, or letter, and be sure to keep a log of any communications you have with the business. Contact information for the business can be found on a recent energy bill or on their website.
Get assistance: Citizens Advice has complaint letter templates on their website, which you may use or an adviser can send on your behalf. They may assist you with a complaint as well, and occasionally their abilities allow them to intervene on your behalf.
Take it a step further: If you are a microbusiness and you are dissatisfied with the company’s response after eight weeks, you can file a complaint with the Energy Ombudsman. At eight weeks or when you reach a “deadlock,” energy firms are required to get in touch with you and explain how to proceed. This is the situation when neither of you can come to terms.
Energy providers are required to treat you properly and offer you a high level of service whenever something goes wrong.
You must be given an appointment within regular business hours, in the morning or afternoon, or within a two-hour time window, if your supplier has to visit you or if you seek a visit from them for any reason.
You are entitled to £30 in compensation if your provider schedules a visit to your premises and doesn’t show up as scheduled, cancels, or reschedule with less than one working day’s notice. There can be certain exclusions, in which case you wouldn’t get the £30 reimbursement.