Should you get a smart meter?

The government is pushing for us all to get a smart energy meter – seven million have been fitted so far. But what do they do, and should you get one?

The government is pushing for us all to get a smart energy meter. Seven million have been fitted so far, but the Conservatives want that figure to reach 26 million by 2020. However, having a smart meter isn't compulsory despite the pushy letters you may have received from your energy provider. So what do they do, and should you get one?

A smart energy meter automatically takes your meter reading several times a day and sends it to your energy provider. The meters can replace both electricity and gas meters and provide you with far more accurate bills. If you don't have a smart meter, your energy firm relies on you to provide meter readings, or pays meter readers to trawl the streets knocking on doors to get readings. Fail to provide regular readings and your bills will be based on estimates, which could mean you are overcharged for your energy use.

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Ruth Jackson-Kirby

Ruth Jackson-Kirby is a freelance personal finance journalist with 17 years’ experience, writing about everything from savings accounts and credit cards to pensions, property and pet insurance.

Ruth started her career at MoneyWeek after graduating with an MA from the University of St Andrews, and she continues to contribute regular articles to our personal finance section. After leaving MoneyWeek she went on to become deputy editor of Moneywise before becoming a freelance journalist.

Ruth writes regularly for national publications including The Sunday Times, The Times, The Mail on Sunday and Good Housekeeping, among many other titles both online and offline.