Smart Energy GB updated its FAQ page covering switching supplier, tariffs and bills on 16 March 20261. The page, part of the consumer engagement campaign for the smart meter rollout, answers common household questions on switching, smart prepay, Economy 7 and Economy 10, billing and time-of-use tariffs1.
On switching, the page states that people with a smart meter can change supplier and tariff in exactly the same way as anyone with a traditional meter1. On prepay, it says smart meters remove the need for prepay to be more expensive than other tariffs, and that households can switch between credit and prepay modes without physically changing the meter1. On Economy 7 and Economy 10 supplies, it says a smart meter can be installed as part of the national rollout, but that this depends on which supplier is ready to install one, and that meters of this type will be available at a larger scale later in the rollout1.
The page also addresses billing and time-of-use pricing. It states that an in-home display is for information only and that regular bills continue as before, whether by post or online, but accurate without manual readings1. It says the first bill after installation may still be estimated1. On time-of-use tariffs, it states that a supplier cannot charge based on when energy is used unless the household specifically chooses such a tariff1. It puts the running cost of an in-home display at less than £2 a year in electricity1.
"When you accept a smart meter, you'll have a choice to send your meter readings to your supplier about your usage every 30 minutes."
The page cites an Ofgem estimate that consumers could save between £1.6 billion and £4.5 billion by 2045, linked to more efficient system operation and shifting use to off-peak periods1. It also states that protection against disconnection remains as strong with smart meters as with traditional meters1. Smart Energy GB notes it is not an energy supplier, does not make or fit smart meters, is not the technical authority for the rollout and has no regulatory authority to intervene in individual customer disputes1. It directs installation and meter issues to the energy supplier, and says Citizens Advice may assist where a supplier has not met its obligations1.
| Topic | What the page states |
|---|---|
| Switching | Same process as a traditional meter1 |
| Smart prepay | Same rates as other tariffs; switch payment mode without changing the meter1 |
| Economy 7 and 10 | Smart meter available, subject to supplier readiness1 |
| In-home display running cost | Less than £2 a year in electricity1 |
| Time-of-use charging | Only if the household chooses such a tariff1 |
Why it matters for households
The page restates the position that a smart meter does not restrict a household's ability to switch energy supplier, which bears on how freely a home can move to a cheaper deal. For prepay households, the claim that prepay need not cost more than other tariffs, and that payment mode can change without a meter swap, affects both running costs and the practical route between payment types. The Economy 7 and Economy 10 answer matters for homes on restricted meter tariffs, because availability depends on the supplier rather than the household's preference. The time-of-use answer confirms that time-of-use pricing is opt-in, so a household's exposure to peak-period prices depends on the tariff it chooses. The billing points, including estimated first bills and the information-only role of the in-home display, set expectations for what a household will still receive and pay.
What happens next
The page carries no dated next steps. It states that smart meters for Economy 7 and Economy 10 supplies will be available at a larger scale later in the smart meter rollout, without giving a date1.
Sources1 cited
- FAQs - Switching, tariffs and bills | Smart Energy GB, smartenergygb.org