Business Energy Meter Installation & Metering Solutions
Our metering solutions include new installations, automated meter readers and sub-metering.
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Complete metering solutions
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Electricity, gas and water - all covered
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Real-time data with smart monitoring tools
Metering solutions for SMEs and large corporates
Whatever your energy supply and metering requirements, Smarter Business can support you from planning and design stages through to successful delivery and project sign-off. We work with a wide range of metering providers to help source and install practical metering solutions for your electricity, gas and water requirements.
For greater visibility of your energy consumption, we can provide level monitoring and provide access to real-time data. All of the valuable information we track on your behalf can be viewed minute-by-minute on our sophisticated online software.
Whether you require a simple, single connection or multi-site roll-out programme, we help coordinate the process and keep your metering project moving.
Key Benefits
Easy
Hassle-free metering solutions
Simple
End-to-end installation
Expert
Energy contract management
Personal
Dedicated account management
One
A single point of contact
1-2-3
A simple process from start to finish
Gas and electricity new meter installations
Moving business premises? We offer an end-to-end service for your new gas meter installations, new electricity meter installations and supply connections for both.
Our meter installation services include:
- New gas meter installations
- New gas supply connections
- Gas meter upgrades
- New business electricity meter installations
- Automated Meter Reader (AMR) and smart meter installation
- Half-hourly and CT metering
- Sub-metering for multi-tenant and multi-process sites
- Business water meter installation
The energy connection process
Desk-based assessment based on industry-held data.
Site survey to confirm and document the current infrastructure.
Our specialist Project Team caters for all sitework requirements–from upgrades to existing infrastructure, supply downgrades, connections, alterations and meter moves.
Energy connection services benefits:
- Personal service from our dedicated connections team
- Avoid regulatory pitfalls and costly non-compliance as we meet or exceed industry standards
- No costly delays, with projects managed to deliver on time or early
- Save money on future developments through future-proof design from industry experts
How to get a business energy meter installed
Getting a new business gas or electricity meter installed usually involves four key steps:
1. Find your meter point reference
You’ll need the reference number for the supply before an installation can be arranged.
For gas, this is your Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN). For electricity, it is your Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN), often shown as the ‘supply number' on your bill.
You can usually find these on a recent energy bill. If the premises are new or vacant and you do not have one, we can help trace it.
2. Confirm what supply already exists
Before choosing a meter, check what services are already available at the property.
If there is no gas supply, you may need a new connection from the local gas network. For electricity, check whether the site has a single-phase or three-phase supply and whether there is enough capacity for your needs. If not, an upgrade may be required from your Distribution Network Operator.
3. Agree a supply contract
The supply point needs to be registered with an energy supplier before the meter can be installed. It is also the point at which the meter gets specified, so it needs to be right.
Gas meter size is determined by your maximum hourly consumption across your appliances, while the right electricity meter depends on your trading pattern and your demand.
4. Book the installation
Once your supply contract and meter requirements are confirmed, the installation can be booked. Gas meter work must be carried out by a registered engineer and electricity meter work by your meter operator.
Smarter Business can help you manage the process of business energy meter installation from start to finish. Get in touch today to get started.
Types of business electricity meters
Much like your energy contracts, your meter needs to match how your business actually operates. There are various types of business electricity meters which are suited to different business functions.
Smart Electricity Meter
Smart meters provide complete transparency in terms of electricity usage and cost, which is displayed for your view on a separate monitor. They send automated readings to your provider, informing them of how much you have used, so they can bill you correctly. These meters are typically free to have installed and are ideal for businesses on a budget.
Half-Hourly Meter
Also known as HH meters, these installations automatically send readings to your electricity provider every 30 minutes. HH meters are a requirement for businesses who have a demand of 100kW or more for any half an hour period and also available as an option for those with a demand of 70kW or more.
Single-Rate Meter
With this meter you’ll be charged at the same rate no matter the time of day. These are ideal for businesses who are open during standard business hours, such as offices and shops.
Two-Rate Meter
These meters charge you at two different rates, usually classified as peak-time and off-peak. Examples of two-rate tariffs include Economy 7 and Economy 10, whereby you get seven or ten hours of off-peak electricity, charged at a lower rate. These are ideal for businesses that operate during later hours, such as takeaways and restaurants.
Three-Rate Meter
As well as offering a peak-time and off-peak rate, these meters have a third rate for weekend electricity usage. This is typically the best option for businesses who are open through the weekend, such as bars and clubs.
Prepayment Meter
Prepayment meters let you pay for gas or electricity in advance. They can help control spend and avoid unexpected bills, but rates are generally higher than on a standard credit meter and your tariff options are more limited. If your business is on prepayment and would rather not be, it is usually worth reviewing.
Business gas meters
Unlike electricity meters, commercial gas meters are generally selected according to how much gas the site needs to use rather than different peak and off-peak charging periods. Types of business gas meters include:
Diaphragm meters- commonly used for lower gas demand and can suit smaller commercial premises.
Rotary meters- designed for higher flow rates and are often used by larger commercial sites.
Turbine meters- generally used where gas demand is higher and more continuous, such as larger industrial or process-heavy sites.
Smart and AMR metering
Smart and AMR technology can be added to different types of gas meters to automate readings. Rather than taking and submitting your own readings for gas, smart meters send regular automated updates to your supplier. This helps you to track your usage and cost in real time so you can identify areas where energy is being wasted and savings can be made.
If you do not have a smart or AMR meter, it is still worth regularly monitoring your usage and submitting readings to your provider. This can help you spot billing issues early and avoid unexpected adjustments later.
Our efficient metering solutions will ensure that your new business gas meter installations are ready as soon as you occupy your new premises.
Automated meter readers (AMRs)
Automated meter readers are a form of building monitoring technology. These sensors can be easily retrofitted onto any utility meter to provide real-time consumption data that is reflected on a central management dashboard. This information can be used for accurate and simplified billing and consumption reporting.
Benefits of AMRs
More accurate and efficient utility meter reading
Real-time billing information reduces estimated readings and re-billing cost
Reduced billing errors and disputes
Helps manager identify potential energy efficiencies
Sub-metering solutions
Sub-metering gives businesses a more detailed view of how electricity, gas or water is being used across a property or site.
Sub-metering for multi-tenant properties
For multi-tenant properties, sub-meters can measure each tenant’s utility usage using data from individual water meters, gas meters, or electricity meters. This makes it easier to allocate costs accurately and bill based on actual consumption.
Sub-metering for large business premises
For larger sites, sub-metering can track usage across different buildings, departments or operational areas. This makes it easier to identify the areas of highest consumption and find opportunities to reduce waste and control costs.
Business water meters
Business water works differently from gas and electricity. In England, most businesses can choose their water retailer, while the regional wholesaler continues to operate the local water network.
Your supply is identified by a Supply Point Identification number (SPID), which you can usually find on your water bill.
If your premises are unmetered, installing a water meter can give you a clearer view of your actual usage and help identify leaks, unusual consumption and opportunities to reduce waste.
Smarter Business can help with water meter installation, sub-metering and automated meter reading alongside your gas and electricity metering, making it easier to manage multiple utilities in one place.
How to read your electricity meter
Whether you’re submitting your own meter reading or you would like to check if your provider is charging you correctly, here’s how to read your business energy meters
Digital and electronic meter readings
Read the numbers displayed from left to right and ignore any in red or after a decimal point.
For gas meters, remember to note down whether your reading is in cubic feet or meters, which is usually indicated as cubic feet (ft3) or cubic metres (m3).
For electricity meters, there may be more than one register. If you have a two or three-rate meter, there will be a separate sequence of digits for each rate, which will be labelled on your meter.
Dial meter readings
Read the numbers being pointed at on each dial from left to right.
If a pointer is between two digits, use the lower number. If pointing exactly at a number, check the next dial to the right – if this is on nine, subtract one from the previous dial.
On gas dial meters, the dials may turn in alternating directions, so pay close attention to the direction of each one as you read across.
Need help with your business metering?
Whether you need a new meter, a meter upgrade or help understanding your existing setup, Smarter Business can help. We can support you with gas, electricity and water metering, new connections, meter changes and ongoing data collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Your postcode and address
- Gas Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN), if you have one
- Electricity Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) from your local network
Electricity meters often go into a ‘sleep mode’ which could mean that they display a blank screen. In these situations, simply press a button on the main panel to wake the meter up. Smart meters may require you to scroll through various different screens before you reach the readings page.
Sometimes a blank screen could mean the meter is faulty. If the above steps do not work, you should contact your energy provider and they will guide you through what to do next.
Your energy supplier is usually your first point of contact for metering. They are responsible for arranging suitable metering services, while specialist metering agents may install, maintain and manage the meter on their behalf.
For electricity, this work is typically carried out by a Meter Operator (MOP). For gas, it is handled by a Meter Asset Manager (MAM).
If the issue involves the cables, pipes or connection to the premises rather than the meter itself, you may need to contact your local network operator instead.
* All prices are reviewed against fluctuating market values and subjective variables and may not always reflect the best possible price.