Introducing Smart Meters: Empowering Businesses to Optimise Energy Consumption

In today’s energy-conscious world, businesses are seeking solutions to optimise their energy consumption, smart meters have been designed to track business’ energy usage patterns, provide accurate meter readings and a visual representation of real-time energy usage. They are the ideal solution for businesses to gain control over their energy consumption, and find solutions to reduce business energy bills.

Progress in rolling out smart meter

Starting in 2011, the smart meter rollout began. According to the government statistics, in smaller, non-domestic sites (such as micro and small businesses) 145,900 smart and advanced meters were installed by all energy suppliers. This is a 48% increase on 2020.

As smart meter installations continue across the country, gas and electricity suppliers now have binding annual targets to achieve to ensure all their non-smart customers have smart and advanced meters installed by 2025.

Are people reluctant to install smart meters? 

Although these figures are suggesting an uptake in smart meter installations, the majority of these meters are still yet to be installed.

This may be because there are several misconceptions surrounding the use of smart meters. A commonly asked question regarding these devices is whether or not they use more electricity.

Although it is true that your small device uses your electricity supply for power, the very small amount that it does use, does not counteract the benefits this device provides. In fact, there is no additional cost for the installation of your smart meters. You won’t have an extra charge on your energy bill because you chose to have a smart meter.

How do smart meters work?

Smart meters work by measuring your business gas and electricity usage and sharing this data directly with your energy supplier. This means no more electricity or gas meter readings needs to be submitted. The smart meter does all this for you, sending accurate and regular readings to avoid estimated energy bills. A smart meter does not require internet access, instead they use the secure smart data network to share information about your energy usage. The system of which this works can be compared to how other wireless systems and devices use radio waves. Smart meters can be used in replacement of traditional meters, such as prepay meters.

Your smart meter comes in two parts: the smart meter and digital display. The smart meter will be fitted where your traditional meter is housed, while you can choose to place your digital display in an accessible place. This accompanying digital display will give you access to data about your business electricity or gas usage. This will help you to manage your business energy usage, with the intention of helping you save energy usage and save money on energy bills.

Smart meters for small businesses 

As small businesses feel the pinch of the rising cost of living, business owners are regularly seeking new tips and advice for saving energy costs.

One way to do this is to pay closer attention to monthly bills and to find ways to reduce these costs, if possible. In a study by Smart Energy GB, 72% of small business owners have already made the switch to a smart meter or are considering doing so to manage their energy use.

It is simple to request a smart meter for your small business, if you haven’t done so already. Our regulator OFGEM has made it mandatory to categorise businesses we supply into 2 categories referred as either micro business or non-micro business. As a D-ENERGi customer you have a choice of between two types of smart meters. These are an AMR meter or a SMETS2 meter. Both of which will offer similar benefits, although we do recommend referring to our handy comparison table here, to familiarise yourself with these devices and to find the meter that is better suited to your requirements. Each type will help you better understand how your business uses energy.

AMR smart meters – you can gain a better understanding of your energy consumption. That can help you reduce the amount of energy you use. And that can help to lower your costs and reduce your carbon footprint. Your AMR smart meter sends your meter readings remotely. So you’ll benefit from accurate bills based on your actual readings, rather than an estimate.

SMETS2 smart meters – give you all the same benefits of AMR meters. These include remote meter readings, accurate billing without the need for estimates, plus access to your energy data. You can view your energy consumption in near real-time.

Whether you’d prefer AMR or SMETS2 smart meters for your business, do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly Customer Services team at 0800 781 7626. If you are yet to be D-ENERGi customer, switch your business energy supplier and save money. Get your free quote today.