If you’ve got a smart meter for your small business, you might have already noticed a difference in how you use energy day-to-day.

However, it might not be so obvious how you decipher what your smart meter is telling you, especially if it doesn’t have an easy-to-read digital display. Readings should be sent to your supplier automatically, but it can still be useful to you to learn how to read them, especially when it comes to monitoring your usage.

This article will explain how to understand your smart meter and, for those that have them, your smart meter display.

Why should I take a manual smart meter reading?

 In most instances, smart meter readings will be sent direct to your supplier, but that are times where it’s useful to be able to read your smart meter:

• So that you can track your energy usage alongside your smart meter display

• If you no longer wish to send your smart meter readings automatically and would rather do it manually

• You’ve just switched supplier (in this case, you’d need to send your first reading manually anyway)

• Alternatively, you might need to send your first reading with a new supplier if you have a SMETS1 meter

Smart meter or smart meter display?

When you sign up for a smart meter, you have the option of getting an smart meter display, but you don’t have to take it. Bear in mind that some suppliers might refer you to an accompanying energy app instead. Accessible smart meter displays are also available, which, if you are blind, partially sighted, or have difficulties with dexterity or memory loss, have additional features that could make tracking your energy usage easier. Ask your supplier so that you can get the right one.

The smart meter display is fairly self-explanatory. It will show you:

• How much you’re using in kWh

• How much your energy use is costing you

Alternatively, you can just opt for it to show you how much energy you’re using without the cost. Take a look at readings for the current day, week, month or year. Readings will update every ten seconds for electricity and every 30 minutes for gas.

For specific guidance on how to use your display, consult the manufacturer’s instruction manual or website.

Some smart meters don’t come with a digital display like this – we’ll come on to those in a moment.

How to take a meter reading if you have a smart meter

This depends on what type of smart meter you have. With these readings, ignore any zeroes at the beginning of the number and any digits after the decimal point.

Smart meters with a keypad

1. Press 9

2. Wait until you see ‘IMP KWH’

3. You’ll see numbers followed by ‘KWH’

4. Write down the numbers from left to right – this is you meter reading

Smart electricity meters with ‘A’ and ‘B’ buttons under the screen

1. Press the A button and wait for a few seconds

2. Press the A button again until you see ‘TOTAL ACT IMPORT’ and numbers followed by ‘KWH’

3. Write down the number from left to right, this is your meter reading

Smart electricity meters with a green ‘A’ button to the right of the screen and a white ‘B’ button below it

1. Press the A button and wait a few seconds

2. Press the A button again until you see ‘TOTAL ACT IMPORT’ and numbers followed by ‘KWH’

3. Write down the number from left to right – this is your reading

Smart electricity meters with 3 buttons to the right of the screen

1. Press the middle button

2. Write down the number below ‘IMP’ from left to right – this is your meter reading.

Smart electricity meters with one orange button and two blue buttons

1. Press the orange button

2. Write down the number from left to right – this is your meter reading

Smart electricity meters with two white buttons to the right of the screen 

1. Press the ‘display’ or ‘display connect’ button

2. Press the ‘display’ or ‘display select’ button again until you see numbers followed by KWH

3. Write down the number left to write – this is your meter reading

Smart electricity meters with two buttons to the right of the screen and one says ‘reconnect’

1. Press the ‘display’ or ‘display select’ button

2. Press the ‘display’ or ‘display select’ button until you see numbers followed by KWH

3. Write down your number from left to right – this is your meter reading

Smart electricity with a green ‘A’ button and a grey ‘B’ button to the right of the screen  

1. Look at the screen – you don’t need to press any buttons

2. Write down the number on the meter from left to right – this is your meter reading

How to get a smart meter

The first thing to do is contact your supplier or broker to find out what’s available.

If you rent your business premises and pay your own energy bills, then you can ask your supplier to install a smart meter – that is, if they don’t offer you one themselves.

Before you jump in, check with your landlord to see if they’ll let you get a smart meter as it might go against your rental agreement.

Smart meter offerings will vary between energy providers, with differing terms and conditions, so make sure you’re clued up on this too.

Smart Energy GB has a box you can enter your supplier’s details into, and they can connect you. However, if your business works with a third-party intermediary or a broker, please contact them directly to request your smart meter.  

From there, you arrange a date and time with your supplier to install your smart meter and you’re ready to go.

See also: Smart meters for small businesses – your questions answered