Start saving on energy with smart meters
Smart meters come with an in-home display so you can easily see how much energy you're using at a glance, which can help you save money.
What is a smart meter?
Smart meters are the new generation of gas and electricity meters. 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) that shows how much energy you’re using and how much it’s costing you in pounds and pence.
How do smart meters work?
Smart gas and electricity meters record your electricity use in near real-time and half-hourly for gas. The meter then shares these readings automatically over a secure network with your smart energy monitor and your supplier, so you’ll only ever pay for the energy you use and get more accurate bills.
Smart meters 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.
See this helpful one-minute video from Smart Energy GB – How smart meters work – or visit their website to read their frequently asked questions
Not a British Gas customer yet?
Switch to British Gas and get your free smart meter installation now.
Is it worth getting smart meters?
Here’s some of the ways smart meters can help you stay in control of your energy.
No more estimated bills
Smart meters automatically send your meter readings to us. You’ll no longer need to take manual meter readings for your gas and electricity.
Get information about your energy use
Use your smart energy monitor to see how much energy you are using in pounds and pence. 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. What to expect when you get a smart meter installed.
Save money with PeakSave
Join hundreds of thousands of customers using 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 usage can help you make small changes to reduce your carbon footprint. For example, switching off devices when they’re on standby.
What’s the truth about smart meters?
If you're unsure about the benefits of smart meters, we've tackled some of the most popular myths to help you decide if they're right for you.
Is my personal data protected?
Smart meters don’t share your information. They just send us your data usage securely so you receive accurate bills.
Can smart meters spy on you?
Don't worry, 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're responsible for paying the energy bills. But it's worth checking with your landlord or letting agency first.
Do I have to have smart meters?
You don't have to, but we highly recommend them as you'll get more accurate bills and you can see instantly how much energy you're using daily which could help save your money.
How do smart meters help the environment?
They play a part in helping the National Grid to reach net zero and send us information about when and where energy is used. So we can 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 which sends us your meter readings 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?
Smart meters are thoroughly tested and approved by the UK and EU safety standards. Also, the UK Health Security Agency research shows they are not a risk to your health.
Take control of your energy
See how much energy you're using, so you can take action to use less and save on your bills.
How are smart meters installed?
>What to expect on the day:
Receive a call
Our smart energy expert will call you when they’re on their way to your home.
Checks & installation
They'll carry out some final checks to make sure they can complete the work. Once the work starts, it will take around two hours to complete. Your power will be off for a short while.
Set up new smart meters
We'll replace your old meters with new smart meters. The engineer will ensure you smart meter is 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 installation and shows you how much energy you’re using in pounds and pence.
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.
Half-price electricity with PeakSave
We’re proud partners of Team GB and ParalympicsGB, but you don’t need to be a superstar athlete to take part in a big event.
Enjoy one every Sunday with half-price electricity, 11am to 4pm, when you join PeakSave.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you trust smart meters?
Yes, smart meters are 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 to your supplier – which many of us don’t – you’ll get estimated bills and may be paying more than you need to.
How do smart meters save you money?
Smart meters provide near real time consumption data to your smart energy monitor or in-home display (IHD), so you can monitor how much energy you’re using and take action to reduce your usage and save money on bills. And they send automated meter readings to your supplier, so you’ll only pay for the energy you use and 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 may 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. Where you live, the type of home you live in, and your existing meter type may mean it takes a little longer for us to get to you. If you’re eligible, we’ll have contacted you. If you would like more information, contact us.
Are smart meters compatible with solar panels?
Yes, the new generation smart meters (SMETS2) 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?
The engineer will remove your old meter, take a final reading, and install the new smart meter. They’ll also dispose of your old meter.
Do you offer an accessible in-home display?
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 customers 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 agents.
If you have an electricity meter that uses Radio Teleswitch (RTS) technology
Due to a national industry change, the BBC service that supports Radio Teleswitch Meters is being phased out and is planned to end on 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.
Find out what’s happening to Radio Teleswitch meters
What are your smart meter targets?
Energy suppliers are targeted by the UK government to install smart meters in at least 74.5% of homes and 69% of small businesses across Britain by the end of 2025 – it includes prepayment meters.
Our smart meter targets for 2024
2024 targets for British Gas is to install 1,192,990 smart meters in customers’ homes and businesses, broken down as follows:
| Fuel | 2024 Target | by Business unit | by Payment type | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Gas | Homes | Businesses | Credit | Prepayment | |
| Gas | 837,383 | 818,439 | 18,944 | 687,857 | 130,582 |
| Electricity | 355,608 | 354,669 | 939 | 276,066 | 78,603 |
Our smart meter targets for 2023 and how we performed
| Fuel | 2023 Performance | by Business unit | by Payment type | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Gas | Homes | Businesses | 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 |