What is a smart meter?

Smart meters are digital devices replacing traditional gas and electricity meters in homes across Great Britain as part of a national government-backed programme. They automatically send meter readings to energy suppliers, eliminating the need for manual readings and estimated bills, ensuring you only pay for the energy you actually use.

Understanding your energy usage is key to managing your bills effectively. With a smart meter, you gain valuable insights, and Fuse Energy helps you make the most of that data with clear pricing and an intuitive app. If you have a supported smart meter, click here to switch to Fuse Energy today.

Understanding smart meters: the basics

What makes a meter 'smart'?

A smart meter is more than just a digital display; it is a device that communicates. Unlike older analogue meters that simply recorded cumulative usage, smart meters use a secure wireless network to transmit your energy consumption data directly to your energy supplier. This digital connection is what makes them 'smart', enabling a range of functions that traditional meters cannot offer.

How smart meters work with your energy supply

When energy is used in your home, the smart meter records this data. A communications hub, typically installed alongside your electricity meter, then securely encrypts and transmits this information to a central data network. From there, it reaches your energy supplier, who can then use it to calculate your bill accurately. This process ensures that you are billed for the exact amount of energy you have consumed, rather than an estimate.

Your in-home display (IHD)

Most smart meter installations include an IHD. This small, portable screen shows you your energy consumption in near real-time, often in pounds and pence. It allows you to see how much electricity and gas you are using, helping you understand which appliances consume the most energy and empowering you to make informed decisions about your usage. For Fuse Energy customers, this data is also seamlessly integrated into our app, providing an even richer, more interactive experience.

The benefits of smart meters for UK households

Smart meters offer several advantages that can transform how you manage your home's energy.

Accurate billing

Say goodbye to estimated bills. With a smart meter, your supplier receives automatic readings, meaning your bills will always reflect your actual energy usage. This eliminates the frustration of overpaying or underpaying and then having to reconcile large adjustments, helping you better understand your energy bill.

Better understanding of energy usage

The IHD and integrated apps (like the Fuse Energy app) provide real-time insights into your energy consumption. This transparency allows you to identify energy-hungry habits or appliances, giving you the power to adjust your usage and potentially reduce your bills. It's about gaining control and making energy visible, rather than an invisible constraint.

Access to smart tariffs

Smart meters unlock access to a new generation of tariffs, including time-of-use tariffs. These tariffs can offer cheaper electricity during off-peak hours, such as overnight. This is particularly beneficial for electric vehicle (EV) owners or those interested in EV charging at home, allowing them to charge when energy is cheaper and cleaner. Fuse Energy is building a system where you can use more energy when it's abundant and cheap, rewarding you for smart usage.

Supporting a smarter, greener grid

By providing accurate, timely data, smart meters help the National Grid operate more efficiently. This data enables better forecasting of demand and supply, reducing waste and supporting the integration of more renewable energy sources. It's a step towards the abundant, clean energy future we all imagine.

Addressing common smart meter concerns

It's natural to have questions about new technology. Here are some common concerns about smart meters:

Data privacy and security

Smart meters are designed with security in mind. Your energy consumption data is encrypted and sent securely. You also have control over how often your data is shared with your supplier. Your personal data is protected, and suppliers are regulated by Ofgem and data protection laws. Fuse Energy treats your data with the utmost care, using it to provide you with insights and better service.

Are smart meters mandatory?

While the UK government is rolling out smart meters across the country, you are not legally obliged to have one installed. However, given the benefits they offer in terms of accurate billing and energy insights, many households choose to embrace the upgrade, often through a smart meter installation arranged by their supplier. For those with older Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters, a smart meter upgrade will become necessary as the RTS system is being phased out.

The RTS

If you have an older RTS meter, which uses a longwave radio signal to switch between peak and off-peak rates, it's important to know that this service is being switched off. The industry-wide phase-out began on 30 June 2025. Your current supplier will replace your RTS meter with a smart meter, typically at no cost to you. Once you have a modern smart meter, you'll be able to switch to suppliers like Fuse Energy and benefit from the latest technology and a digital-first experience.

Fuse Energy and your smart meter

At Fuse Energy, we believe it's your right to use more energy, not less, when that energy is clean and abundant. Smart meters are a crucial part of enabling this future. They provide the data foundation for our intuitive app, which gives you unparalleled transparency and control over your energy.

With Fuse, your smart meter data helps us provide:

• Accurate, real-time billing: No more guesswork, just clarity.
• Personalised insights: Understand your usage patterns to make informed choices.
• Access to innovative tariffs: Unlock cheaper rates when clean energy is plentiful, rewarding you for smart consumption.
• A seamless digital experience: Manage your energy, view your usage, and connect with support, all from your phone.

We're building the energy system of the future, and your smart meter is the connection point. It's about empowering you to live fully, without the moral arithmetic of energy consumption.

Smart meters are key to unlocking a more efficient and abundant energy future. If you have a supported smart meter, or once your current supplier has upgraded your RTS meter, you can switch to Fuse Energy and take control of your energy usage. We offer clear pricing, real-time usage data in our app, and 24/7 human customer support. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy today and start your journey towards smarter energy management. You can also learn more about our mission to deliver abundant, clean energy by clicking here.