What is a smart meter?
Smart meters for business give you greater control over your energy usage and costs, with automatic readings that make it easier to track consumption, spot usage trends and uncover opportunities to save. The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero estimates that businesses could reduce electricity bills by up to 3.4% and gas bills by up to 2.8% just by switching to a smart meter.
Are smart meters free for businesses?
In most cases, smart meters for business are free to install – though this is subject to a few factors, including whether your site is suitable for installation, the type of meter required, and network availability in your area. For more complex or non-standard sites, a site survey may be needed before installation can go ahead.
The installation process is straightforward for most businesses and is included as part of your energy supply. Once installed, a smart meter can start providing automatic readings and valuable insights into your energy usage straight away.
If you’re unsure about whether your business is eligible or suitable for a smart meter, it’s worth speaking to your energy supplier to understand the options available to you.
What does a smart meter installation involve?
With Utilita Business, installing a smart meter for your business is simple!
- Check availability: Get in touch with us to find out if smart meters are available for your business location and energy set-up. Our team will talk you through the eligibility criteria and what your next steps will be.
- Book your smart meter install: Schedule an appointment at a time that suits you for one of our engineers to install your smart meter. We’ll ensure the process is quick, hassle-free, and doesn’t disturb your day-to-day operations.
- Start managing your energy smarter: Once your meter has been installed, you will start automatically tracking your energy usage from day one. Access real-time data and insights to take better control of your business energy.
Once a smart meter has been installed, what are the benefits for your business?
What are the benefits of a smart meter for your business?
Rising energy costs continue to put pressure on businesses across the UK, with more than half (52%) saying that utility costs are putting pressure on their prices, according to a British Chambers of Commerce survey of over 600 organisations. Ongoing global uncertainty is also driving volatility in the energy market, making it harder for businesses of all sizes to predict and manage their costs effectively.
That’s where smart meters can make a real difference and be highly beneficial. By providing accurate, real-time insights into your energy use, smart meters help you stay in control, reduce waste and make more informed decisions about how your business uses energy.
The government is also continuing to accelerate the rollout of smart meters across the UK. Around two-thirds of business sites already had one installed by the end of 2025, and from 1 January 2027, businesses entering new fixed-term energy contracts will need to have, or agree to install, a smart or advanced meter.
Stay in control when renewing your energy contract
While energy costs have been a concern for businesses in recent years, not all have yet felt the full effect. Many businesses are still on fixed contracts, which can offer short-term protection from price increases. However, as these contracts come up for renewal, businesses may face higher rates as market conditions change.
With global uncertainty continuing to create volatility, more businesses are likely to see these increases feed through into their costs over time – making it harder to plan ahead and keep energy spend under control.
As a result, more businesses are considering smart contingent contracts when they renew – which require you to have, or agree to install, a smart or advanced meter – giving businesses access to tools that can help better manage their energy, including:
- Better visibility into energy use: Understand exactly where and when your business is consuming energy. Clear, actionable insights make it easier to identify inefficiencies and run operations effectively.
- Smarter decisions to cut waste and costs: Access up-to-date consumption data that highlights opportunities to reduce unnecessary usage, improve efficiency, and take greater control over your energy spend.
- Turning insight into meaningful sustainability action: Use detailed usage data to actively reduce your carbon footprint, support ESG commitments, and demonstrate measurable progress towards your sustainability targets.
Reduce business energy costs over time
The government estimates that non-domestic users can reduce their electricity consumption by around 2.8% and gas consumption by 4.5% by having a smart meter installed. Over time, this can translate into meaningful cost savings for your business. What’s not to like?
Smart meters send your energy supplier your actual energy usage automatically – so there’s no need to manually send readings or rely on estimated energy bills. By doing this, you’ll always know how much your energy is costing you, allowing you to budget and better manage your cash flow.
With Utilita Business, if you’re a single-site customer you can keep track of your energy account with My Utilita online. How easy is that?
Access up to 12 months of historical energy data
Another key benefit of installing a smart meter for your business is the access you get to up to 12 months of detailed energy data.
Having this insight into your historical data makes it much easier to spot patterns and trends in your energy usage, including seasonal peaks and quieter periods. This allows you to plan more effectively, identify areas where energy may be wasted, and make smarter decisions about how and when you use it.
It also provides you with a clearer picture of your overall energy profile when reviewing or renewing your contract, helping ensure your business is on the most suitable tariff for its energy needs.
If you’re a single-site business on supply with us, this information is available through the My Utilita dashboard, giving you a clear view of how your energy usage changes over time. Multisite and broker-managed customers can also access this data with support from our SME Sales team.
Advance your business’s journey to net zero
As the UK accelerates towards net zero, businesses are under increasing pressure to measure and report their energy use and emissions under frameworks such as Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR).
Data from non-domestic smart meters plays a critical role in meeting these obligations, but its value goes far beyond just compliance. By providing real-time visibility into energy consumption, smart meters can help businesses actively reduce their carbon emissions, support ESG and CSR commitments, and demonstrate meaningful progress to customers and stakeholders. That’s a win for your business, and for the planet.
Is it time to consider installing a smart meter for your business?
The installation of smart meters in UK businesses is rapidly growing, and many companies are choosing to install them for the greater energy control they offer.
While ongoing volatility continues to impact energy markets, smart meters and detailed business energy monitoring offer a tried and tested way for companies to reduce their energy consumption, make meaningful cost savings and meet their carbon reporting goals.
Learn more about installing a smart meter for your business here.