Start saving on energy with smart meters
A smart meter’s a great way to make managing your energy easier. It sends us readings automatically so you don’t have to. And it comes with an in-home display so you see exactly how much you're using in pounds and pence, helping you save money as you go.
Even better, it doesn’t cost anything and we manage everything for you.
Have an RTS meter?
The signal has started to be turned off, so it's time to have a smart meter installed. Book an appointment to get started. Not sure what type of meter you have? Find out on our RTS page.
What is a smart meter?
Smart meters are a clever new type of gas and electricity meter. They accurately measure how much gas and electricity you’re using—and they come with a portable, easy-to-use smart energy monitor or in-home display (IHD). The display shows how much energy you’re using and how much it’s costing you in pounds and pence.
How do smart meters work?
Smart meters record your electricity use in near real-time and your gas use in half-hourly intervals. The meter shares these readings automatically over a secure network with your smart energy monitor and your supplier. It means you’ll only ever pay for the energy you use, and you'll get more accurate bills.
And smart meters aren't just good news for your bills. They also help the grid to better understand and manage Britain’s energy needs, helping to make our energy system more efficient and make more use of renewable energy.
Want to know a bit more? Sit back, relax and watch our helpful video on how smart meters work.
Not a British Gas customer yet?
Switch to British Gas and get your free smart meter installation now.
Is it worth getting smart meters?
What are smart meters and how do they work? | Smart meters explained
No more estimated bills
You’ll save time taking manual meter readings for your gas and electricity, because smart meters automatically send them to us.
Get information about your energy use
If you like to keep track of what you’re spending, you can use your smart energy monitor to see how much energy you’re using in pounds and pence. That's not all. You can also track your usage in our app.
Free installation
You don't have to pay to have smart meters installed. Our specially trained engineers install them for you at no extra cost. Find out what happens when you get a smart meter installed.
Save money with PeakSave
Join over one million customers who use their smart meters to save money with PeakSave.
Unlock smart energy tariffs
If you invest in greener home solutions installed by us, or our friends at Hive, and you get your energy from us, you can enjoy some of our best smart tariff options.
Manage your carbon footprint
Keeping track of your energy use with a smart meter can help you make small changes to bring down your carbon footprint. For example, switching off devices when they’re on standby.
What’s the truth about smart meters?
It's normal to have a few questions about new technology. So, we've tackled some of the most popular myths to help you decide if smart meters are right for you.
Is my personal data protected?
Yes. Smart meters don’t share your information—they just send us your data usage securely so you get accurate bills.
Can smart meters spy on you?
No. Smart meters don't have cameras or audio, so they can't record or see what you're getting up to at home.
Can I get smart meters if I’m renting?
You can install smart meters if you pay for the energy bills. But it's always worth checking with your landlord or letting agency first.
Do I have to have smart meters?
No, you don't have to. We highly recommend them, though. They can help you save money because you'll get more accurate bills, and you can see instantly how much energy you're using.
How do smart meters help the environment?
They play a part in helping the National Grid to reach net zero by showing us when and where energy is used. We can then use that information to take advantage of renewable energy sources.
Can I switch energy supplier with a smart meter?
There are different types of meters, so it’s best to check with your new supplier if yours is suitable before switching.
Switch to British Gas and get your free smart meter installation.
Do smart meters need Wi-Fi?
You don't need to have broadband or Wi-Fi to have a smart meter. Smart meters have their own SIM cards, so your meter readings are sent automatically over a safe, wireless network.
When your smart meters are installed, you can download our mobile app to keep track of your energy usage and understand your patterns, so you can plan when to use less.
Are smart meters bad for your health?
No. Smart meters are thoroughly tested and approved by the UK and EU safety standards. Also, UK Health Security Agency research shows they’re not a risk to your health.
Take control of your energy
Give up the guesswork on your energy use. Get the full picture with a smart meter, so you can take action to use less and save on your bills.
How are smart meters installed?
>What to expect on the day:
We'll call you
Our smart energy expert will call you when they’re on their way to your home. We sometimes use our trusted service partners, Calisen, M Group Services
or SMS Smarter Metering Services to carry out the installation.
We'll do checks before installing anything
The engineer will carry out some final checks to make sure they can complete the work. Once the work starts, it’ll take around two hours to complete both meters. Your power will be off for a short while.
We'll get your smart meters ready for action
We'll replace your old meters with new smart meters. The engineer will make sure your smart meter’s in credit or prepay mode for you.
Smart energy monitor
We'll also install an in-home display or smart energy monitor. It connects to your new smart meters and shows you how much energy you’re using in pounds and pence. It's the easy way to really see how much energy you're using.
Do you have a smart prepayment meter?
With a smart prepayment meter, you can track your energy use and top up from anywhere. You’ll also get reminders when your balance is low, so there are never any surprises.
Save money every Sunday
Once your smart meter’s sorted, join PeakSave for half-price electricity1 every Sunday from 11am to 4pm. The catch? There isn’t one. Just ask any one of our million-plus customers already saving.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you trust smart meters?
Yes, smart meters are just as accurate as traditional gas and electricity meters. And, because they send automated meter readings, you get more accurate bills. If you don’t have smart meters and you don’t submit regular manual meter readings, you’ll get estimated bills which might mean you end up paying more than you need to.
How do smart meters save you money?
Smart meters send your energy use data directly to your smart energy monitor or in-home display (IHD), so you can see how much energy you’re using in real time. It lets you take action to reduce your usage and save money on bills. Smart meters also send automated meter readings to your supplier, so you’ll only pay for the energy you use, and you'll get more accurate bills.
Will my smart meters still work if I move to another energy supplier?
Once you’ve got smart meters, you’ll still be free to switch to a new energy supplier, but not all suppliers support smart meters just yet. If that’s the case, your smart meters will work like traditional ones until your new supplier can support them—and you might need to provide manual meter readings. Your new supplier will be able to let you know.
How do I pay my smart meter bill?
You can pay your bills the same way you did before having a smart meter installed. We offer smart meters for all our customers, regardless of how you pay for your energy.
If you have a prepayment meter you can top-up online or by using our app.
How do I know if I can get smart meters fitted in my home?
We’re working to upgrade all our customers to smart meters as soon as possible. Factors like where you live, the type of home you live in, and your existing meter type might mean it takes a little longer for us to get to you. If you’re eligible, we’ll have contacted you. If you need more information, just get in touch.
Are smart meters compatible with solar panels?
Yes, the new generation smart meters are compatible with solar panels. They won’t stop your solar panels working and generating electricity and you’ll be able to tell your energy supplier exactly how many kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity you’re sending to the grid.
Do you remove old meters when installing smart meters?
Yes. The engineer will remove your old meter, take a final reading, and install the new smart meter. Then they’ll get rid of your old meter for you too.
Do you offer an accessible in-home display?
Yes, we do. We’ve worked across the energy industry and with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to develop an accessible in-home display for people who are blind or partially sighted. To find out more about the accessible in-home display and check if we are able to offer you one, please chat to one of our advisers.
What if I have an electricity meter that uses Radio Teleswitch (RTS) technology?
Due to a national industry change, the radio signal that supports Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meters are being phased out from the 30th June 2025. This means that the meters will lose their ability to switch between day and night rates, which will impact heating and hot water systems.
If you have an electricity meter that switches between peak and off-peak tariff rates, like Economy 7, or it automatically turns your heating or hot water on, you may have a meter that uses RTS technology.
We’re contacting all customers with Radio Teleswitch meters and upgrading them to smart meters so they can still use day and night rates as before.
What are your smart meter targets?
We're committed to the rollout of smart meters across the UK and we recognise the benefits they provide to our customers, as well as their importance to achieving Clean Power 2030. We've been at the forefront of the programme for over a decade, installing the first smart meter in 2010—and we've installed the largest number of smart meters of any supplier.
In 2024 we installed over one million smart meters, including upgrading older models, to make sure that all our smart meter customers receive the full working benefit. We’re committed to providing the best service to our customers and unfortunately not all this installation work counts towards our Ofgem targets.
Our smart meter targets for 2025
2025 targets for British Gas is to install 1,406,066 smart meters in customers’ homes and businesses, broken down as follows:
| Fuel | 2025 Target | By Business unit | By Payment type | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Gas | Domestic | Non Domestic | Credit | Prepayment | |
| Gas - target | 1,104,611 | 1,076,977 | 27,634 | 1,053,058 | 51,553 |
| Electricity - target | 301,455 | 301,455 | 0 | 253,959 | 47,496 |
Our smart meter targets for 2024 and how we performed
| Fuel | 2024 Target | By Business unit | By Payment type | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Gas | Domestic | Non Domestic | Credit | Prepayment | |
| Gas - target | 837,383 | 818,439 | 18,944 | 706,801 | 130,582 |
| Gas - installed | 365,960 | 351,544 | 14,416 | 301,403 | 64,557 |
| Electricity - target | 355,608 | 354,669 | 939 | 277,005 | 78,603 |
| Electricity - installed | 347,937 | 339,924 | 8,013 | 293,904 | 54,033 |
What is your past smart meter installation performance?
Our smart meter targets for 2023 and how we performed
| Fuel | 2023 Target | By Business unit | By Payment type | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Gas | Domestic | Non Domestic | Credit | Prepayment | |
| Gas - target | 800,894 | 779,551 | 21,343 | 670,358 | 130,536 |
| Gas - installed | 391,010 | 379,095 | 11,915 | 319,351 | 71,659 |
| Electricity - target | 465,777 | 461,823 | 3,954 | 383,066 | 82,711 |
| Electricity - installed | 407,614 | 386,757 | 20,857 | 336,978 | 70,636 |
Our smart meter targets for 2022 and how we performed
| Fuel | 2022 Target | By Business unit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Gas | Domestic | Non Domestic | |
| Gas - target | 676,978 | 659,699 | 17,099 |
| Gas - installed | 353,760 | 344,817 | 8,943 |
| Electricity - target | 412,110 | 404,943 | 7,167 |
| Electricity - installed | 375,457 | 356,091 | 19,366 |