We’re upgrading previous SMETS1 good meters to the newer SMETS2 fashions – and that’s excellent news for you.
S2 meters are dependable, safe, and keep good even in the event you resolve to modify vitality suppliers. You’ll nonetheless get automated readings, extra correct payments, and higher vitality monitoring – all with out lifting a finger.
Questioning why we’re making the improve – or what the distinction really is? Don’t fear, we’ve acquired you coated. All of the solutions are just under!
In accordance with the Division for Power Safety and Web Zero (DESNZ), there have been round 39 million good meters in houses and small companies throughout Nice Britain on the finish of March 2025. This shall be a mixture of SMETS1 (first-generation) and SMETS2 (second-generation) good meters, of which there are various fashions by a number of producers.
We’re now changing SMETS1 meters with the newer fashions – the SMETS2.
Why are we upgrading SMETS1 good meters with the brand new SMETS2 meters?
All good meters have a communications hub. It’s normally situated on high of your electrical energy good meter or, in some circumstances, beside it. These hubs allow your good meter to share information together with your In-Residence Show (IHD) and us, your provider, through safe networks managed by the Information Communications Firm (DCC). All comms hubs put in till lately have been constructed on 2G and 3G mobile alerts within the South and a long-range radio community within the North.
The federal government has introduced the gradual phase-out or ‘sunsetting’ of the 2G/3G cell networks. This ensures the UK is ready for future applied sciences on 4G and past.
This implies good meters within the South with 2G and 3G communications hubs shall be straight affected, and now not operate as good after the total change off in 2033.
We, as suppliers, have to improve your current communications hub to the brand new 4G community now.
This additionally applies to clients within the North, who, though not at present susceptible to dropping good performance, will profit from extra dependable and constant protection supplied by the brand new 4G communications hub. This additionally ensures they’re future-ready for additional modifications on the good meter community.
Changing the comms hub appears simple; nevertheless, we encounter roadblocks with the primary era of good meters (SMETS1). These have a totally built-in 2G comms hub that can’t be upgraded. To learn from the brand new 4G comms hub, we might want to substitute these with a totally future-proofed SMETS2 meter.
In accordance with DESNZ, on the finish of 2024 there have been 14 million SMETS1 meters within the UK. This implies we have to act now, and improve these meters to be suitable with the brand new 4G community by 2G/3G change off on the finish of 2033.
SMETS2 good meters that also have a 2G/3G hub are set to be fitted with a 4G hub as quickly as potential and at no additional value.
What are the primary variations between SMETS1 and SMETS2?
SMETS1 meters have been rolled out in 2012 and are the older model of the brand new and improved SMETS2 fashions, which have been the usual since 2018.
As mentioned, a big distinction is that SMETS2 good meters may be upgraded with a brand new and glossy 4G comms hub (if not already put in with one).
Each sorts of good meters automate the way in which your vitality utilization is recorded and shared together with your provider, however there are extra variations than chances are you’ll suppose:
Community and switching suppliers:
SMETS2 meters are linked through a single and safe digital community. It’s run by the Information Communications Firm (DCC) and overseen by the vitality regulator Ofgem. This implies it should adjust to strict rules to make sure good meter information is stored non-public and safe. This good meter community hyperlinks all main vitality suppliers throughout the UK, which means that clients with SMETS2 meters can transfer seamlessly between suppliers with out dropping good performance.
Whereas on this community, SMETS2 meters can ship and obtain over 150 sorts of messages, together with meter readings, service firmware updates and upgrades. This makes them ideally positioned for modifications within the vitality grid.
They’re additionally suitable with the rollout of the brand new 4G communication hubs, that are the reply to the federal government’s gradual phase-out of the 2G/3G networks.
SMETS1 meters, when put in, solely communicated with the provider who put in them and shared information straight with them. Over the previous few years, SMETS1 meters have been progressively enrolled onto the DCC community to enhance their connectivity. Nonetheless, with their older software program, they profit from fewer firmware upgrades in comparison with their SMETS2 counterparts and are extra restricted of their options.
SMETS1 meters that haven’t been enrolled on the DCC community usually go into ’non-smart mode’ when switching suppliers. This implies you’ll need to submit handbook readings. These meters will should be upgraded to a model new SMETS2 meter.
Future-proofed for a versatile good grid:
As talked about, SMETS2 good meters are linked through a nationwide community run by the DCC. Everyone knows the way forward for vitality depends on utilising renewable vitality sources corresponding to photo voltaic panels and wind generators. It’s subsequently important to have a wise vitality community which might talk effectively throughout the UK and reply to the wants of the grid.
This community permits for normal distant upgrades and is future-proofed for modifications within the grid.
Apart from the apparent challenge of getting built-in 2G communication hubs, we all know that SMETS1 good meters even have a extra restricted means to obtain distant updates and requests on account of their older software program. The creation of a rising variety of good tariffs, schemes, and time-of-use trials necessitates expertise that may dynamically reply to grid modifications. SMETS2 are completely prepped to permit clients entry to the very best money-saving and planet-friendly good merchandise—a win-win for you and us.
Appropriate with the good house:
SMETS2 meters are designed to work seamlessly with trendy vitality techniques, together with good tariffs and good house tech corresponding to batteries, wind generators, photo voltaic panels and electrical automobiles.
The 4G community ensures that clients can profit from this tech past the 2G/3G switch-off. This extends to issues like good thermostats (Nest, Hive, and so forth.), good plugs and home equipment and residential automation platforms (like SmartThings).
SMETS1 vs SMETS2: At a look
| Function | Non-DCC community enrolled SMETS1 | DCC community enrolled SMETS1 | SMETS2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good after provider change | Will go into non-smart mode | Will seemingly keep good | Stays good |
| Community | Regional/non-public networks (SIM card) | Nationwide DCC community | Nationwide DCC community |
| Distant upgrades | Restricted capability | Helps restricted requests | Totally supported |
| Future-proofed | Not future-proofed | Not future-proofed | Constructed to be versatile with the grid |
| Good house tech and tariffs | Restricted | Restricted | Constructed for next-gen vitality techniques |
FAQs
Are SMETS1 good meters nonetheless being put in?
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No, SMETS1 good meters are now not being put in. We’re solely putting in SMETS2 meters.
What sort of good meter is mine, SMETS1 or SMETS2
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In the event you’re already equipped by us, you’ll be able to verify which meter you’ve by logging in to your on-line account dashboard.
It’s also possible to check out the Good Meter Examine Software.
When will I have the ability to improve my SMETS1 meter?
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We’ll be in contact to e-book you in in your meter improve as quickly as we’ve got engineers accessible in your space.
If I’ve a SMETS1, will my IHD nonetheless work with a brand new SMETS2?
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Generally, show screens for S1 meters are usually not suitable together with your new S2 meter.
We’ll offer you a brand new machine that works with the brand new meter, both a tool you’ll be able to view on an app or a display screen, relying in your choice. This might be an In-Residence Show (IHD) or our nifty Octopus Residence Mini.
What if I don’t have a wise meter?
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It couldn’t be simpler to get a wise meter. We launch hundreds of latest appointments each week.
As soon as you have registered your curiosity, we’ll ship you an electronic mail when we’ve got appointments accessible in your space.
It’s also possible to head to your on-line account to get booked in – you will want to decide on a date and time that works for you, and we’ll kind the remaining!
