Understanding the pros and cons of smart meters can help you stay in control of your energy usage and bills. This guide explains the main benefits, the common drawbacks, and what smart meters mean for your tariff options and day-to-day energy management.
Take the stress out of meter readings and billing for good. With Fuse Energy, you can choose between typing in your meter reading or taking a photo of it in our app if you don’t have a connected smart meter and we’ll handle the rest. Get clear bills, real-time half-hourly usage data, 24/7 human customer support, and a modern energy experience designed around you. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy today in as little as 3 minutes, save annually on your bills, and see how simple energy can be.
A quick checklist for smart meters
- Smart meters send readings automatically.
- They reduce the number of estimated bills.
- They provide real-time usage data.
- Some tariffs require a connected smart meter.
Smart meters make billing more accurate by sending readings automatically to your supplier. This reduces the chance of estimated bills and helps ensure you only pay for what you use. They also provide better visibility of your energy usage. With an in-home display or app, you can see how much electricity and gas you are using and what it costs.
The difference between SMETS1 and SMETS2 matters. SMETS1 meters were the first generation and could sometimes lose their smart features after a supplier switch. SMETS2 meters are newer and are designed to continue working when you change suppliers, making them a more reliable option for long-term use.
Some homes still use older systems such as radio teleswitch (RTS) meters. These are being phased out, which means affected households may need to upgrade to a smart meter to maintain accurate billing and access to suitable tariffs. If you have an older setup, upgrading can also improve your access to modern tariffs and better energy monitoring.
Some tariffs require a fully connected smart meter. EV tariffs and time-of-use tariffs rely on detailed, real-time usage data, so your meter may need to be online to access them. If you have a manual meter or an unsupported older meter, you may need to upgrade before you can switch to these tariffs.
Some customers worry about privacy, but smart meters use a secure network and your data is protected by regulation. Others worry about reliability, especially if they have older meters or have switched suppliers in the past. Some people also worry about radiation from smart meters. However, the level of radiation emitted from these is much lower than the radiation emitted from your WiFi or phone so it isn’t something you need to worry about1.
In most cases, smart meters work well, but it is still important to understand your meter type and whether it is connected properly.
Managing your energy shouldn’t feel like a hassle. With Fuse Energy, you get real-time, half-hourly usage data in the app and website if you have a connected smart meter, helping you stay in control of your energy usage. Our 24/7 human support team is always on hand with fast response times of under 5 minutes whenever you need help. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy in as little as 3 minutes and find out about our mission by clicking here.
Do smart meters save money?
They can help you save by giving you better visibility of your usage, but they do not reduce bills automatically.
Can smart meters stop working after switching supplier?
Older SMETS1 meters sometimes can. SMETS2 meters are designed to keep working after you switch.
How can I switch to Fuse Energy?
Switching to Fuse Energy is simple and can be done in as little as 3 minutes by completing the online onboarding process here.
Disclaimer
For the avoidance of doubt, this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal or financial advice. The author and/or Fuse Energy shall not be responsible for any losses arising out of any reliance on the information contained herein.
Previous article in this series
Next article in this series
