Should you get a smart meter? Pros, cons, and common concerns explained.

At the end of 2025 there were just over 35 million smart meters working in homes across the country.¹ In this article, we'll explain why so many homes have decided to upgrade, but others remain unsure.

Smart meters show your energy use in real time, send readings automatically, help you understand your energy use, and offer access to money-saving time-of-use tariffs. But do they automatically reduce your bills? And what about those data security concerns? Here we'll give you the facts, and let you decide if a smart meter is right for your home.

The Pros of Getting a Smart Meter

1. Accurate billing and no more meter readings

No more manual readings

No one likes sending meter readings, it's another thing on your to-do list. The good news is, a smart meter does it automatically for you, so you never have to send one again.

Accurate bills, every time

‍Smart meters send readings straight to your energy supplier, so there’s no need for estimates. You’re billed accurately and only pay for the energy you actually use.

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2. Understanding and controlling your energy use

See your energy in real time

A smart meter sends your energy use data directly to your online account, where you can view exactly how much energy you're using. Make the most of this feature, by choosing half-hourly readings in your account to get the most precise insights.

Understand your energy use over time

Although your smart meter is installed out of sight, it comes with a brilliant piece of kit called an In-Home Display (IHD). This is a small hand-held screen where you can see your energy use across the day, week, month or year, in pounds and pence. So you can see how much you’re spending on energy at a glance.

Use energy more efficiently

‍With real-time data and clear insights, it’s easier to build energy‑saving habits. Use less where you can, waste less overall, and keep better control of your energy bills.

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3. How a smart meter can help you save

Access to time-of-use tariffs

A smart meter won't automatically lower your bills, but it can help you access time-of-use tariffs.

A time-of-use tariff is depends on when you use energy, not just how much you use. For example, our So EV tariff gives you a rate of 8.8p per kWh from midnight to 5am. During this time, you can charge your car, and other home appliances at the cheaper rate.

A smart meter is needed so we can work out how much energy you used on each rate, and bill you accurately.

Let's use So EV as an example:

Let's say your electricity peak rate is 30p per kWh, but your lower rate is 8.8p per kWh between midnight and 5am. In this case you can shift your heavy energy use to those times. You could charge your car and also schedule your tumble dryer and dishwasher to cycle during those times too.

Say you use 20kWh during that time, it'd cost you £1.76 instead of £6. That's a saving of £4.24. If you do that twice a week, you're saving almost £34 a month. And over a year, that's a whopping £408 saving.

Marketwide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS)

The UK is moving to Marketwide half-hourly settlement (anonymously recording smart meter readings every 30 minutes) so suppliers can match demand and supply more accurately. Without smart meter data, suppliers have to guess how much energy their customers might need, which can lead to overspending. But by anonymously recording smart meter data every 30 minutes, they have a much more accurate view of the nation's energy use. Less overspending by the suppliers means savings can be passed on to you. The more customers who switch to smart meters, the better it is for everyone.

For more information, check out Marketwide Half-Hourly Settlement and what it means for you.

4. Environmental benefits

Being energy-efficient

‍Smart meters help you see and manage how you use energy day to day. With clearer insight, it’s easier to cut back where you can and reduce your carbon footprint.

Get ready for renewable energy and going electric

If you’re thinking about getting solar panels you'll need a smart meter. And if you want to charge an electric vehicle (EV) at home for a lower rate, a smart meter is essential.

Shifting energy use

‍Having your real‑time energy use data makes it easier to shift energy use to cheaper times of day. Time-of-use tariffs reward this, helping you use energy more sustainably, and save money at the same time.

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The Cons to Consider Before Getting a Smart Meter

1. Privacy and Data Security

There are widespread concerns around how safe your energy data is, but are they actually worth worrying about?

Personal data

Smart meters don’t hold any of your personal information, they only record your energy use. This data is protected by advanced encryption technology and sent directly to your energy supplier through a secure network. Suppliers must follow strict regulations and laws to make sure your privacy is protected.

Potential data breaches

Like any digital technology, like your phone or laptop, smart meters need protecting. That's why energy suppliers use robust security measures to safeguard customer information.

Privacy in the home

A common concern is that smart meters might be "spying" in the home. Smart meters can only track energy use, not monitor what you're doing at home. They're designed to measure energy, not spy on daily life.

2. Compatibility and Reliability

An understandable concern, but let's see the facts.

Compatibility in older homes

Some older electrical systems may need a little extra work before a smart meter can be fitted. If that’s the case, your energy supplier will help find the right solution to make the switch as smooth as possible.

Errors and glitches

As with any meter, smart meters may have an occasional technical glitch or metering error. The upside? Problems are usually easier to spot and fix. At So Energy, we can act quickly to make sure your smart meter is working as it should.

Dependency on network infrastructure

Smart meters use secure networks to send readings, just like a mobile phone. On the rare occasion there’s a network problem, your readings might not come through straight away, but it'll catch up when it's back online. Just like an text message on a mobile phone. If this does happen, and you need to send a reading, you can still take a manual reading from the meter.

3. Common smart meter problems

Connectivity problems in areas with weak signal

Smart meters are designed to work across most of the UK. In areas with a weaker signal, they may occasionally store readings and send them later when a connection is available. This means your energy use is still recorded, even if it’s not sent straight away.

First-generation meters (SMETS1) losing smart features

The first set of meters (SMETS1) have been known to lose smart features after switching suppliers. When that happens, the meter still works as a standard meter. Many SMETS1 meters are now being upgraded remotely, helping them stay smart without needing a replacement visit.

Delays or gaps in meter readings being sent

This is usually temporary and doesn’t affect how much energy you use. If needed, you can always send a manual reading to keep your account up to date.

In-home displays not always showing real-time costs accurately

Your In Home Display (IHD) gives a helpful guide to your energy use, but occasionally it might not always update in real time. Your bills and account are based on accurate meter readings, so you can trust what you’re charged.

Smart meter myth-busting

We've covered a few considerations as to why some homes might not want a smart meter. But there are other, far stranger, beliefs going around as to why a smart meter might not be a good idea. From radiation poisoning to being forced to stick with one supplier forever. These are myths. And you can enjoy reading more about these crazy ideas in debunking the smart meter myths.

Should you get a smart meter?

A smart meter can be a useful tool but whether it’s right for you depends on your home and how you use energy.

You should consider getting one if:

• You want accurate bills with no estimates and no manual readings
• You’re interested in saving with time-of-use tariffs
• You want to better understand and reduce your energy use
• You're thinking about getting solar panels or an EV charger
• You're eco-conscious and want to live more sustainably
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You may not need one if:

• You’re happy submitting manual readings
• Your home has connectivity limitations
• You’re unlikely to change your energy habits

Summary

Smart meters help you understand, manage and control your energy better. They give you clearer insight into how you use energy, more accurate bills and the flexibility to make smarter choices that could save you money.

While there can be occasional technical or connectivity issues, these are usually temporary and easy to manage.

Overall, smart meters are a reliable way to stay in control of your energy use and take a step towards a more efficient, sustainable home. But as yet, getting a smart meter isn't compulsory, so it comes down to what you prefer for your home.

Find out more or book an installation with So Energy,

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are smart meters free to install?

Yes. Smart meters are installed at no extra cost. Your energy supplier covers the installation, and there’s no upfront fee to pay.

Are smart meters compulsory in the UK?

No. Smart meters aren’t compulsory. You can choose whether or not to have one installed. If you decide a smart meter isn’t right for you, that’s completely fine.

Do smart meters work in all homes?

Smart meters work in most homes across the UK. In some cases – such as very old wiring or limited signal – a smart meter may not be suitable straight away. If that happens, your supplier will talk you through the options.

Can I switch energy suppliers with a smart meter?

Yes. You can switch suppliers as normal with a smart meter. Some older smart meters may temporarily lose smart features after a switch, but they’ll still work as a standard meter. Many of these meters are now being upgraded to stay smart across suppliers.

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Footnote

1. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/692587072945773cf12dcfea/Q3_2025_Smart_Meter_Stats_Report.pdf