Smart meters
Save money with a smart meter
Start by seeing what you’re spending on energy
What is a smart meter?
A smart meter is a digital gas or electricity meter that sends meter readings automatically. You’ll be able to see how much energy your home uses from your phone. We'll also give you an In-Home Display (a handy digital device) at no extra cost so you can see this energy use in real time.
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What is a smart meter?
A smart meter is a digital gas or electricity meter that sends meter readings automatically. You’ll be able to see how much energy your home uses from your phone. We'll also give you an In-Home Display (a handy digital device) at no extra cost so you can see this energy use in real time.
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Smart meter benefits
A smart meter can help you:
Get more accurate bills
So you only pay for what you use
Say goodbye to meter readings
A smart meter sends these for you
Spot ways to cut costs
And save energy at home
Be a part of something bigger
Help support the UK energy grid
Want to know more? We've put together a video explaining why you might want to get a smart meter.
Ready to go smart?
How smart meters work
Smart meters automatically send meter readings using their own secure wireless network – no wifi needed.
You decide how often your smart meter sends readings. We recommend every half hour. The more data you have, the more you can learn about your energy with:
- Your In-Home Display – it’s your energy at a glance
- Our app – personalised information about how your home uses energy
How smart meters work
Smart meters automatically send meter readings using their own secure wireless network – no wifi needed.
You decide how often your smart meter sends readings. We recommend every half hour. The more data you have, the more you can learn about your energy with:
- Your In-Home Display – it’s your energy at a glance
- Our app – personalised information about how your home uses energy
Helping us all on the Path to Zero
Getting a smart meter installed is also a great step on the Path to Zero. It can help you spot ways to save energy and cut your carbon footprint.
Once you have a smart meter, download our app to find out the greenest time to use energy. You can also get an idea of where your energy's going in your home.
Helping us all on the Path to Zero
Getting a smart meter installed is also a great step on the Path to Zero. It can help you spot ways to save energy and cut your carbon footprint.
Once you have a smart meter, download our app to find out the greenest time to use energy. You can also get an idea of where your energy's going in your home.
How to get a smart meter
Booking an appointment online for your free smart meter is simple. Just answer a couple of questions so the installation goes smoothly and pick a slot that’s convenient for you – we even work Saturdays.
And just so you know, we're only installing SMETS2 smart meters – the kind that work with all energy suppliers.
It’s even easier to book an appointment if you log in to your OVO account.
How to get a smart meter
Booking an appointment online for your free smart meter is simple. Just answer a couple of questions so the installation goes smoothly and pick a slot that’s convenient for you – we even work Saturdays.
And just so you know, we're only installing SMETS2 smart meters – the kind that work with all energy suppliers.
It’s even easier to book an appointment if you log in to your OVO account.
Renting and ready to go smart?
If your name's on the energy bills, you don't need your landlord's permission to get a free smart meter. But it's worth letting them know and checking your tenancy agreement for any rules around changing the meter. Take a look at our guide to smart meters if you're renting.
And we always tidy up after the smart meter installation.
Renting and ready to go smart?
If your name's on the energy bills, you don't need your landlord's permission to get a free smart meter. But it's worth letting them know and checking your tenancy agreement for any rules around changing the meter. Take a look at our guide to smart meters if you're renting.
And we always tidy up after the smart meter installation.
When you get a smart meter installed
1. We'll call ahead on the day
Just to check how you’re doing. Our engineers are following the latest safety guidance.
2. You'll get a tracking link
So you'll know when your engineer's on the way and you can check everything's ready for their arrival.
3. We'll install your smart meter
It’s a safe, hassle-free installation that takes about an hour to replace a single meter, and 90 minutes for both gas and electricity meters.
4. You'll get a free In-Home Display
The In-Home Display (IHD) is a handy digital device that shows your energy use in real time.
Need to know more? Take a look at this guide to the smart meter installation or watch our video talking about what you can expect on the day
Award-winning service
We want to give our customers the best smart meter experience possible. We were runners-up for the Best Smart Meter Experience in the Uswitch Energy Awards 2022.
Check out our smart videos
Installation day
Just 60 seconds on what to expect when you get your smart meter installed.
Watch on YouTubeWant to know more about smart meters?
Your smart meter questions answered
The UK government plans to get smart meters installed into every home and business by 2024, in their mission to reach zero carbon by 2050.
Yes. But if you’re not an OVO Energy customer yet, why not join us today?
Smart meters can't collect personal information like your name, your address or your bank account details. Your meter can only collect meter readings, supply numbers and the meter serial number – and they're all protected by law. You can choose how often your smart meter shares this information with your supplier – half-hourly, daily or monthly. To find out how OVO protects your data, read our smart meter data guide.
The Smart Meter Installation Schedule (SMIS) is a set of rules and standards to be followed when installing a new smart meter. Read our guide for more information.
From 2022 energy suppliers were targeted by the UK government to install a specific amount of smart meters each year.
This year’s target for OVO is to install 606,122 smart meters, broken down as:
Domestic credit smart meters:
- Gas: 231,562
- Electric: 283,642
Total: 515,204
Domestic PAYG smart meters:
- Gas: 40,864
- Electric: 50,054
Total: 90,918
In 2022 OVO Energy installed 406,779 smart meters against a target of 637,301, broken down as follows:
Domestic credit smart meters:
| Installed | Target | |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 127,814 | 243,473 |
| Electric | 209,858 | 311,710 |
| Total | 337,672 | 555,183 |
Domestic PAYG smart meters:
| Installed | Target | |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 28,644 | 33,637 |
| Electric | 40,463 | 48,481 |
| Total | 69,107 | 82,118 |
Sources and references
1 Based on research published by Smart Energy GB on 5 January 2023: 'Brits turn to savvy money-saving ideas to get them through 2023'.