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Switch off all the appliances in your home, including any pilot lights. Make sure everything is turned off at the plug A British Gas smart meter also comes with an in-home display (IHD), which British Gas calls a smart energy monitor. This digital device shows how much energy you're using in near real-time, as well as how much it's costing. The monitor is small, about the size of a 5” x 7” photo frame, and you can put it wherever you want in your house. Can I get a British Gas smart meter?
The in-home display, also called a smart meter monitor, should show you how much gas and electricity you’re using in near-real time – and how much it’s costing. Monitors should be plugged in somewhere visible, such as the kitchen or sitting room, so that you can keep an eye on them. If you can’t have a smart meter – or don’t want one – you can still buy a standalone energy monitor, but it will only monitor electricity. Using an energy monitor Sometimes issues can arise if the display unit is too far from your meters. Bring the display unit closer to the meter and turn it off and on again.
What are smart meters?
Ofgem has enacted the Smart Metering Installation Code of Practice, which protects consumers by prohibiting sales attempts during installation (unless previous consent has been given by the household). Remember that smart meters are free to install, so you shouldn’t be asked to pay anything.
It will not cost you anything to have a smart meter installed. Your energy supplier will arrange your smart meter installation, and the overall cost of the rollout is covered already in your energy bill – the same way that installation and maintenance of traditional meters are. Can I switch energy suppliers if I have a smart meter? Things that you can’t turn off are your fridge freezer, medical equipment, certain home-entertainment set-top boxes and so on. The total usage will be displayed on the monitor – this is your base load.Smart meters need to be able to connect to the Data Communications Company (DCC) through a wireless network. There are two types of smart meter – first generation (or SMETS1) and second generation (SMETS2). SMETS1 meters were developed first and some energy suppliers have already installed these in people’s homes. But there are a few issues with this type of meter. The main one is that it can lose smart functionality if you switch energy supplier (which you should do regularly if you want to be on the cheapest deal) and will stop sending readings to your supplier. This is sometimes referred to as reverting to ‘dumb mode’. Once we've reviewed your details, we'll send you a tailored quote. Where applicable, this will include an energy supply contract offer.
Wait seven days after you first spot that your energy use isn’t appearing – according to British Gas, most monitors restart automatically within a week. Your energy supplier will work with you to arrange your smart meter installation, though they will likely work with a third party to fit the meter. There is also the suggestion that the first generation of smart meters will be upgraded over the airwaves to behave and act just like the second generation — in other words, you'll be able to switch and keep your smart functionality. We're yet to see any evidence of this is successfully working on any scale, though. What is a smart meter and how does it work?
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More accurate bills - one of the main advantages of smart meters is that they put an end to estimated bills. You’ll be charged only for the energy you use, without having to provide meter readings and/or have a stranger come into your home to read your meter. And worryingly, although two in five reported problems with smart meters actually relate to the IDH not working, you may well have to foot the bill for a repair or replacement yourself if you need one. A smart meter itself won't save you money, but having one installed can offer much insight into how to lower your bills, and you could get access to some cheaper energy tariffs. If you buy a new IHD from your energy company and it's faulty, then your rights are the same as with any faulty goods you have bought. British Gas is currently rolling out SMETS2 smart meters, the second generation of smart meters. Unlike the first generation of smart meters (SMETS1), these meters are interoperable among all energy suppliers. You will no longer have to worry about your smart meter losing its ‘smart’ functionality if you change to a different supplier.
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