What is a smart meter and how can I get one?

Here at So Energy, we can’t get enough of smart meters. That’s why we’re committed to offering one to all of our customers. Interested to know more?

Quick links:

• What is a smart meter?
• What's so good about smart meters?
• Can I get a smart meter?
• Ready to go? Book now!
• Can So Energy support my existing second-generation (SMETS2) smart meter?
• Can So Energy support my existing first-generation (SMETS1) smart meter?
• What does this mean for me and when will my SMETS1 become smart again?
• Is my smart meter first or second generation?
• Can I get a smart meter if I rent/am a landlord?
• I only have one fuel with So Energy, can I get a smart meter?
• Our Smart Metering Mission

What is a smart meter?

Smart meters are revolutionary, next-generation technology that capture and send meter readings straight to your energy supplier, all without you having to lift a finger. This ensures accurate bills across the board, putting an end to estimates. Smart meters also come complete with an in-home display (IHD), which enables you to track and monitor your usage in a real-time pounds & pence view. You may see us referring to smart meters as SMETS here and there, which stands for Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specification. 

What's so good about smart meters?

Smart meters save money, they save time and they save energy (gas, electricity and your own).

1. No more meter readings - Smart meters send us regular, automatic readings, meaning you’ll never need to root around under the stairs, using the torch on your phone, to take a reading to send us ever again. 
2. No more estimated bills - Since smart meters send us regular readings, we always have accurate data for your energy usage, so we’ll never again need to base a bill on estimated usage. This helps you by ensuring you’re not overpaying, and it helps us to know how much energy to buy in advance for all So Energy customers.
3. Save energy and money - Smart meters come with an in-home display (IHD), a little monitor that shows your real-time energy usage. With this, you can keep an eye on the appliances that use the most energy, make changes and see instant improvements in your consumption!

Can I get a smart meter?

We are now well established in our second-generation smart meter rollout, having installed more than a hundred thousand meters up and down the country. Our metering partners are doing a fantastic job in helping us to deliver on this, but if you haven’t heard from us already, fear not, as you likely will soon!

When we do have availability in your area, we will be in touch through smart.install@so.energy with a prompt to book an appointment via your online account, so be sure to keep an eye out for that! You can also check availability for yourself by visiting your personalised smart meter booking portal.

Once you've made a booking, you can amend or cancel your appointment at any time yourself using the same portal. All you need to do is use the link provided in your booking confirmation or reminder emails and you'll be able to manage the booking fully!

Ready to go? Book now!

If you have any traditional meters at your address, you are likely eligible to get them exchanged. Click here to start booking!

If you check and there's no availability in your area, do not fret - we will register your interest automatically and will be in touch once new slots are available for you to book your smart meter installation. If none of the available slots work for you, you can also tell us more about your preferences, and we will let you know once a slot like that comes up in your area.

For information on how to prepare for your installation, check out our section here. Or, to find out more about our metering partners and their no-contact smart meter installations, please check out this page here.

Can So Energy support my existing second-generation (SMETS2) smart meter?

So Energy support all second-generation smart meters, also known as SMETS2 meters. If you have a SMETS2 and wish to join our supply, your meter should automatically connect to us and start providing us with reads when we take over supply.

If you have a SMETS2 meter and you are already on our supply, these should be 'woken up' and communicating with us. However, if you feel your smart meter has not yet woken up, please get in touch with us via help@so.energy.

Can So Energy support my existing first-generation (SMETS1) smart meter?

Good news, The Data Communications Company (DCC) is in the process of updating all first generation smart meters by moving them over to the new smart communications network. This migration is being carried out in three stages, with a planned finish at the end of 2023* after the latest Government update. This is being done so that we can provide you with an even more reliable service, all while ensuring your smart meter(s) can continue to work should you decide to switch suppliers in the future. 

What does this mean for me and when will my SMETS1 become smart again?

We've been working hard to start communicating with newly-enrolled smart meters. That being said, the time and date your SMETS1 will be enrolled and adopted into the new smart communications network depends on a few things, such as the meter manufacturer and the energy supplier who originally installed it. As it’s an industry-wide change that is largely out of our control, we are currently unable to provide exact timings for each meter. 

After we’ve taken care of the boring stuff in the background, if your meter is successfully enrolled and communicating with us, you will receive an email from us with the good news that your SMETS1 meter is now smart enabled. This means your meter will be able to do all the useful smart stuff. If both your gas and electricity are first-generation smart meters on supply with us, you will receive this email for each meter we successfully wake-up, so don’t be alarmed if you get it twice (it’s good news!).

If for any reason the Data Communications Company (DCC) are unable to wake up your meter, we will be in contact to offer you a brand new SMETS2 meter, free of charge. For the time being though, sit back and relax until you hear from us. Your first generation smart meters will behave like a ‘normal’ meter, meaning you will need to provide us with meter readings via your online account to ensure an accurate energy statement.

Is my smart meter first or second generation?

Chances are if your meter was installed before 2018, it’s most probably going to be first generation (SMETS1). To be more certain though, you can either check out our page here (complete with diagrams and model names), or look for a device ID (GUID) on the electricity meter. This will be printed on the front of the communications hub (attached to the top of the meter) and will be formatted like this: AA-BB-CC-DD-EE-FF-GG-HH-II. If you can see this, you have a second generation (SMETS2) meter.

Can I get a smart meter if I rent/am a landlord?

This depends who pays the utility bills for the property. Whoever the account holder is (the person responsible for paying the utility bills) ultimately has the choice on whether a smart meter can be installed. However, if you are renting but also pay for the gas and electricity, it may still be worth informing your landlord prior to installation that you are intending to install smart meters at the property!

I only have one fuel with So Energy, can I get a smart meter?

If you're an electricity only or a gas only customer, then the great news is that you can get a smart meter! If you haven't heard from us already, please get in touch so that we can start you on your upgrade journey. 

Our Smart Metering Mission

In 2022, we installed 25,332 electricity and 20,295 gas smart meters (45,627 in total), falling just short of our respective targets of 26,427 and 27,617. You can see a breakdown of those installations below.

In 2023, we installed 17,770 electricity and 16,971 gas smart meters (34,741 in total) in qualifying premises across the UK. A qualifying premises relates to the type of meter that was in place before we installed ours. If the meter was traditional before we exchanged it, then this would be considered as a qualifying installation. 

In 2024, So Energy have big plans to continue installing smart meters for our customers up and down the country. If you're yet to get yours, why not make 2024 your year.

Haven't heard from us yet? Fear not, as you likely will do soon. Alternatively, why not your register your interest here and we'll get back to you as soon as we can to let you know if you are eligible.