Do I have to have a smart meter?

No, you do not have to have a smart meter in the UK. While energy suppliers are actively promoting their adoption, choosing one can offer greater control and capability over your energy use.

Your rights: are smart meters compulsory?

The legal position in the UK

In the UK, smart meters are not compulsory, and you have the right to refuse their installation. Energy suppliers are required to take "all reasonable steps" to offer and install smart meters, but households can decline the offer.

Your right to refuse installation

You can refuse a smart meter installation in most circumstances. If you prefer to keep your traditional meter, you are within your rights to do so. However, this right to refuse applies when your existing meter is functioning correctly and is not deemed unsafe or at the end of its certified life. If your traditional meter becomes faulty or unsafe, or reaches the end of its operational life, your supplier may need to replace it, and the replacement is likely to be a smart meter.

Supplier obligations and consumer choice

Ofgem, the energy regulator, outlines consumer rights and supplier obligations regarding smart meters. Suppliers must respect your decision if you refuse a smart meter. They are also obligated to provide clear information about smart meters and their benefits. While suppliers encourage smart meter uptake, they cannot force you to have one installed unless there is a specific safety or fault reason with your current meter.

Why smart meters matter for your energy

Smart meters are more than just a billing tool; they are a fundamental component of a modern energy system, empowering you with greater control and capability over your energy use.

Accurate billing and real-time insights

One of the most immediate benefits of a smart meter is accurate billing. Unlike traditional meters that often rely on estimated readings, smart meters automatically send usage data to your supplier, ensuring you only pay for the energy you have actually used. This significantly reduces the reliance on estimated bills and helps you manage your budget more effectively. Many smart meters come with an in-home display (IHD) that shows your energy consumption in near real-time, expressed in pounds and pence. This immediate feedback can help you identify energy-intensive habits and make informed decisions to optimise your consumption.

Unlocking advanced tariffs and flexible energy use

Smart meters are often required for accessing advanced, flexible energy tariffs that reward you for using energy at off-peak times or when renewable generation is high. These tariffs can significantly reduce your energy costs by allowing you to shift usage to cheaper periods, such as charging an electric vehicle overnight or running appliances when demand on the grid is lower. Understanding different energy tariffs can help you make the most of your smart meter. This capability aligns with a vision of abundant energy, enabling you to use energy smarter and gain more, rather than simply focusing on using less.

The role of smart meters in a modern energy system

Smart meters play a crucial role in building a more efficient and sustainable energy system. By providing real-time data on energy usage, they help energy suppliers balance supply and demand more effectively, which can lead to fewer power cuts and a more reliable grid. They also facilitate the integration of more renewable energy sources by allowing for dynamic management of energy flows. This shift towards a smarter grid empowers customers with greater control and capability over their energy use, turning energy from a source of anxiety into a tool for strategic advantage.

Understanding different meter types

Traditional vs smart meters

Traditional meters require manual readings, which can lead to estimated bills if readings are not submitted regularly. Smart meters, on the other hand, are digital devices that automatically send your energy usage data to your supplier. This automation ensures accurate billing and provides you with real-time insights into your consumption through an in-home display.

The radio Teleswitch service (RTS) phase-out

The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) is a legacy technology used by some older electricity meters, primarily for Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariffs, to switch between peak and off-peak rates or control heating and hot water systems. The equipment that supports the RTS signal is reaching the end of its operational life and is being phased out. The signal switch-off began on 30 June 2025.

What to do if you have an RTS meter

If you have an RTS meter, it is crucial to contact your electricity supplier to arrange for its replacement. Without the RTS signal, your meter may no longer switch between peak and off-peak rates correctly, potentially leading to higher bills or issues with your heating and hot water supply. Your current supplier is responsible for replacing your RTS meter with a smart meter, and this upgrade is free of charge. Once your supplier has replaced your RTS meter with a smart meter, you can switch to a modern energy provider.

What happens if you refuse a smart meter?

While you have the right to refuse a smart meter, there are practical implications to consider. Refusing a smart meter does not mean your energy supply will be cut off, but it can affect how you manage your energy and the options available to you.

Continued reliance on estimated billing

Without a smart meter, you will continue to receive estimated bills unless you regularly submit manual meter readings. Estimated bills can be inaccurate, leading to either overpaying or underpaying for your energy, which can cause budgeting difficulties or unexpected catch-up payments.

Missing out on smart tariff benefits

Many of the most innovative and potentially cost-effective energy tariffs require a smart meter to function. These include time-of-use tariffs that offer cheaper rates during off-peak hours, or tariffs that reward you for flexible energy consumption. By refusing a smart meter, you may limit your choice of tariffs and miss out on opportunities to optimise your energy costs and gain greater control over your usage.

Potential future implications for energy management

As the energy system evolves, smart meters are becoming increasingly integral to managing energy efficiently. They enable integration with home energy management systems, electric vehicle chargers, and solar panels, allowing for a more cohesive and optimised approach to household energy. Refusing a smart meter could mean you miss out on future advancements and capabilities that make energy management simpler and more empowering.

Getting a smart meter: the process

If you decide that a smart meter is right for you, the process of getting one installed is straightforward.

How to request an installation

You can request a smart meter installation directly from your current energy supplier. They are responsible for arranging the installation and will contact you to schedule an appointment. There is no upfront charge for the installation of a smart meter.

What to expect during installation

A smart meter installation typically takes under two hours, though this can vary depending on your home and the location of your existing meters. An engineer will visit your property to replace your old electricity and gas meters with new smart meters. They will also install an in-home display (IHD) and a communications hub, which allows the smart meters and IHD to communicate and sends data to your supplier.

Connecting your smart meter to your supplier

Once installed, your smart meter will automatically begin sending readings to your energy supplier over a secure network. This means you will not need to submit manual readings anymore. The in-home display will provide you with real-time information on your energy usage, helping you to understand and manage your consumption effectively.

Fuse Energy is committed to helping you make the most of your energy. With clear pricing, real-time usage data through our app, and 24/7 human customer support, we make managing your home's energy simple and transparent. If you have a manual meter, we can arrange a free smart meter upgrade after you switch, opening up possibilities for advanced tariffs and greater control. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy today and take control of your energy. You can also learn more about our mission to transform energy for everyone by clicking here.