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Electricity & gas · the UK
Checked 2026-09-27

📟 Smart meter in the UK: do I have to accept one?

The short answer

A smart meter sends readings automatically, so your bill is based on real use. Whether you can refuse one differs per country.

📜 The rules in the UK

Smart meter

Great Britain: the government requires suppliers to provide smart meters, installed free when you arrange it with your supplier. Northern Ireland has no smart electricity meters yet; a rollout is planned from 2028.

Official source: gov.uk · Checked 2026-09-27

🪜 Step by step

  1. Check the letterWho installs it, the grid operator or the supplier, and when?
  2. Know your rightsSee below what the rules in the UK are on the rollout and on refusing.
  3. Protect your dataAsk what data is collected and how often. You can usually see your own use online.
  4. Report problemsIf the meter seems wrong, ask the grid operator for a meter test.

📇 Who to contact

NIE Networks — Northern IrelandRuns the local grid, meters and connectionsPower cut, meter problem, new connection📞 03457 643 643🔗 www.nienetworks.co.uk
Ofgem (Office of Gas and Electricity Markets)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 www.ofgem.gov.uk
Utility Regulator (Northern Ireland)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 www.uregni.gov.uk
Citizens Advice (Great Britain) / Consumer Council for Northern IrelandIndependent advice for consumersFor advice, template letters and a second opinion🔗 www.citizensadvice.org.uk

❓ Questions

Does a smart meter cost extra?

The costs are usually part of the network charges. Some countries charge people who refuse.

Is my data safe?

Meter data is protected by data-protection law, and you decide who else may see detailed data.

What if the readings look wrong?

Ask the grid operator to check the meter.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-27

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Also useful

🔄Switching supplier→📈Price increase→🧾Wrong or high bill→💸Can’t pay the bill→🏚️Supplier went bust→

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