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How to use your smart meter reading data
The main purpose of a smart meter is to send meter readings to your energy supplier automatically. But there's more you can do with them if you know how.
Your smart meter gives you access to detailed data about how your household uses electricity and gas.
To get the benefits, you'll need to keep and eye on your smart meter data and translate the insights into actions.
Your smart meter monitor, energy company's website or app, and tools from third parties can all help you get the most from the data your smart meter collects.
If you haven't got a smart meter yet, find out what a smart meter is and what to expect from a smart meter installation.
Can I access data from my smart meter?
On the smart meter itself, you'll be able to see a count of how many units of energy you have used overall, in the same way as you can on a traditional energy meter.
But smart meters provide lots more useful data than a traditional meter, which you can access using:
- your smart meter monitor (also called an in-home display)
- your online account with your energy supplier
- your energy supplier's app
- third-party smart meter apps.
You should be offered a smart meter monitor when you have a smart meter installed.
If you didn't get one, you're entitled to one (for free) up to 12 months after your smart meter was installed.
Find out more: How to read a smart meter
Using your smart meter monitor
A smart meter monitor, or in-home display, is a handheld device that connects wirelessly to your smart meter. It shows you how much gas and electricity you're using, and its cost, in real time.
You can also use your smart meter display to:
- see your historical energy use
- set a budget
- show meter readings
- see your tariff information.
If you pay as you go for energy using a pre-payment meter, your monitor may also:
- show your credit balance
- alert you when your balance is running low
- let you activate emergency credit.
If you're not sure how to use your smart meter monitor, check your energy supplier's website. Many have user guides for their devices. If you're still stuck, contact your supplier for help.
Wi-fi smart meter monitors
Some of the newest monitors can connect to your wi-fi so that meter readings can be collected in real time. This makes it easier for your energy provider to update your monitor or diagnose any issues.
Providers that have started offering wi-fi smart meter monitors include Octopus Energy, Ovo, and Utilita.
Find out what to do if your smart meter monitor is not working.
Using your energy supplier's smart meter app or online account
Many energy providers let you access the same information displayed by your smart meter monitor in your online account or app. However, it's often at a day's delay.
Two exceptions are Utilita's app, which updates your balance in real-time, and Octopus Energy's Home Mini device, which updates the data in its app and online account every 5-15 seconds.
Some firms have extra online or app features. For example, they might show your electricity use by category – for example lighting, heating and cooking. British Gas, Scottish Power and Utilita all offer this functionality to smart meter customers.
Utilita's app also tracks your carbon footprint and gives a daily Smart Score based on how you use energy, with tips on how to be more efficient.
Even if you don't have a smart meter, you can use our research to find out how much your appliances cost to run.
Using a third party smart meter app
New energy-saving apps can see data from your smart meter if you give them permission. They work regardless of who your energy supplier is. These are some of the biggest (and free to download):
- Hugo lets you set targets to use less energy and sends alerts to help you stay on track. It can recreate bills to match your supplier's billing period to sense-check them. There's a carbon footprint calculator and you can buy carbon credits to offset your energy use. It also shows energy tariffs and personalised switching savings. There's also a paid-for version, Hugo Pro, which can incorporate EVs, solar panels, batteries and smart devices.
- Ivie (by Chameleon Technology) shows you where you are wasting the most energy and gives personalised advice on how to use less energy. It rewards you with points and the potential to win prizes in exchange for reducing your energy usage.
- Loop analyses your smart meter data with information about your home and lifestyle to give tailored energy-saving tips. You'll learn how your home compares with others and how to reduce background energy use. Its solar simulator shows the impact different solar panel systems could have on your bills. It can also tell you whether you'll qualify for funding for energy saving home improvements.
- UTrack (from price comparison website USwitch) gives personalised energy insights such as when you typically use most electricity, and alerts you if you use more than expected. It gives energy tips (some as quiz questions) and estimates how much you could save by changing your energy habits. You can check your progress and see how your use compares with others.
When you sign up to an app, you'll be asked to give your permission for it to access your smart meter data. You might also be asked for personal details such as your name, address and tariff details so it can make tailored recommendations.
If your smart meters aren't working correctly, read our tips for if your energy supplier isn't getting meter readings from your smart meter.
4 tips to get the most from your smart meter readings data
- Use your energy supplier's app or online account, if you can. Though they're often not updated in real-time, it can be easier to see patterns in your energy use over a longer period. Some have helpful functions such as telling you which types of appliance are using most energy, or sending you personalised energy-saving tips.
- Give your smart meter permission to send frequent meter readings for better online and app insights. You can choose between half-hourly and daily meter readings. But some smart meters send meter readings to your supplier only monthly. Sending meter readings more often will give you more granular insights in your app or online account.
- Look out for smart time-of-use tariffs, especially if you have an EV. Some offer cheaper rates at less popular times, or when more electricity is being generated by renewable sources. Knowing when you use most energy will help you decide if these are appropriate for your household.
- Use your smart meter monitor to find energy-guzzling appliances. Turn off all non-essential appliances and note your baseline energy use. Then turn on your appliances one by one and check how much energy they use. It should only take a few seconds for their electricity use to register on your smart meter monitor (gas takes around 30 minutes). You might be surprised!
Could you save money by using energy at off-peak times of day? Find out more about time-of-use tariffs.
Your rights with your smart meter readings
Data sent by your smart meter is used by your energy supplier to bill you and by your network operator to carry out essential tasks.
It can’t be shared with anyone else or be used for marketing without your permission.
You have some say over how often your smart meter sends meter readings to your energy supplier:
- If it was installed before 3 November 2022 and you haven't switched supplier or changed contract since, your smart meter sends daily readings. You can increase this to half-hourly or opt out to monthly.
- If it was installed since 3 November 2022, or you switched supplier or changed contract, your smart meter sends readings every half hour by default. You can decrease this to daily (but not monthly).
Contact your energy supplier to change your meter reading frequency – sometimes you can do this yourself in your app or online account.
Smart meters don't store or transmit personal information that could identify you, such as your name, address or bank details. Your energy supplier will still have these on your account, but they're not in or connected to your smart meter.
Worried? Find out if your smart meter data could be shared without your consent.