Commercial Electricity Meter Installation
Get a new electricity meter for your business today. You can choose from half-hourly meters to smart meters, and we will help you with everything from planning to installation.
What you can expect from us:
Fast, Free Business Meter Installation in 2 Weeks*
Compare great deals from our panel of trusted UK suppliers
Get a FREE meter installation when you switch
New Business Electricity Meter Installation Process
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1
Tell us about your business and what requirements need to be met in your new meter and electricity deal
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2
Compare electricity meter types and deals from our panel of trusted UK energy suppliers
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3
After selecting the best deal for your business, we manage the installation and ensure you are fully operational within two weeks
Commercial Electricity Meter Types Explained
It can be a challenge to find the right commercial electricity meter for your business.
We're here to advise and help you save money. There's no obligation to go ahead with the meter installation when you get a quote.
We'll discuss your business size, energy usage, and operating hours. These are the basics to help us understand the best commercial meters for your company.
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Single-Rate Meter
Single-rate meters will charge usage at a flat rate. If your business uses most of its electricity during peak hours, this will likely be the right meter for you.
You will have to submit your meter readings manually. If this isn't done regularly, you may receive estimated billing calculations.
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Business Smart Meter
These meters send automatic readings to your supplier to ensure you’re being charged the right amount. You will be offered a digital monitor so you can see how much gas and electricity you’re using.
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Multi Rate Meter
Multi-rate meters offer cheaper kWh unit prices at certain times of the day.
For businesses who operate outside of ‘normal business hours’, multi-rate meters could offer an intelligent way of saving money on business energy bills. Tariffs on these meters are known as Economy 7 and Economy 10, both offering the opportunity to save a significant amount of money on energy bills for suitable users.
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Multiple Electricity Meters (Multi-Site Meter)
Multi-site meters allow businesses with several buildings to manage their electricity with one billing account. These business locations can include offices, warehouses or even factories.
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Half-Hourly Meter
These meters are legally required for any business with a maximum demand of 100 kW or greater during any 30 minutes. Half-hour electricity meters, also called “00” meters, measure and record consumption automatically.
How To Check Your Electricity Meter Status
To check your electricity meter status, as in whether or not it has any supply, you will need to find your MPAN, which is usually found on a recent bill, sometimes referred to as a "supply number". If you don't receive paper bills, you can usually find out by calling your electricity supplier or checking your online account with them.
You can then check your status on the Citizens Advice website.
Your MPAN status determines which stage you are at for electricity meter installation. Check the table below to see what your next steps are:
| MPRN Status | Definition | Next Steps |
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| Live | You're ready to switch suppliers or request a new commercial electricity meter best suited to your usage requirements | Compare Electricity Prices |
| New/ Energised | If you have arranged for new cabling to be installed but are waiting to go 'live'. Once the 'site works' is complete, you may have to wait 3-4 weeks for your DNO to activate your MPAN. After all this has been completed, you're ready to request a new meter from us. | Schedule an Electricity Meter Installation |
| Disconnected | Contact your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) as you will need something called 'siteworks'. Your DNO will need to arrange a new cable installation to connect you to the National Grid. Once this is complete, they will provide you with a new MPAN number. | Find A Network Operator |
| De-Energised | Your supply cable is still in place, but your electricity meter has been removed. This is classed as a de-energised meter. | You need to contact your supplier to reinstate the meter. You may also need a valid I-cert (installation certificate) for the reconnection to happen. |
Who Needs a New Business Electricity Meter?
Here are some of the reasons small and large UK businesses get new commercial electricity and gas meters installed.
New Premises
If you’re moving into a brand new building, it may not have commercial meters installed yet. They may even have new meters installed, but they may be the wrong type for your business.
Growing Business Needs
Requirements can change as the business grows, such as when you start using more electricity or have a larger demand during off-peak hours.
Refurbishment or Relocation
Building refurbishment can sometimes mean that the location of commercial electricity meters needs to be moved.
Expired Meter Certification
All business gas and business electricity meters come with a certificate. These can last between 10 and 40 years. Even if your commercial energy meters are in full working order, it is advised that they be replaced once this period has expired.
With a speedy electricity meter installation service, we’ll have you saving money on your business electricity bills within 2 weeks.
How Much Does a New Business Meter Cost?
A new commercial electricity meter can cost anywhere between £250 to £1,000. Each commercial electricity meter has its requirements, and it can be hard to pin a cost on new meter installation.
When you switch business electricity supplier with us, we aim to install a new commercial electric meter free of charge, depending on whether your business needs any site work.
How to Arrange a Commercial Meter Installation
You’re ready to install a new commercial electricity meter if your MPAN status is set to the live stage. There may be some other steps to follow, as highlighted above, if you’re currently disconnected. For example, you may need your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to connect you again.
Check Your MPAN
If we’re assuming you’re ready to go, you will need your MPAN number to hand. This is a unique number that helps us identify your meter and usage. You’ll be able to find this number on a recent business electricity bill.
Select Your Meter Type
The next step will be to identify what type of meter you would like. You can choose from single-rate meters, smart meters, multi-rate meters, multi-site meters and half-hourly meters. Each has its benefits, and you should consider how your business uses electricity before selecting.
Switch Supplier For Free Installation
Finally, you will want to switch electricity suppliers to a more competitively priced one. If you switch suppliers with us, we can offer you free meter installation within 2 weeks*.
Commercial Electricity Meters FAQs
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Can I Install My Own Electric Meter?
Only a qualified installer can install an electric meter. Attempting to install your own meter can lead to prosecution. A qualified installer will need the supplier’s permission.
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Why Do I Need My MPAN To Install A New Electricity Meter?
Your MPAN helps us identify the meter that is going to be replaced. Each meter has a unique number.
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What is Maximum Demand?
Maximum demand when measuring electricity usage is the most your business will be using at one time over any 30 minute period.
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How do Multi-Rate Meters Work?
Multi-rate meters will have two, or sometimes three separate prices per kWh unit of energy at set times in the day. There are two types of multi-rate meters, and these are:
- A two-rate meter is sometimes known as an Economy 7 meter, a two-rate meter differentiates between peak and off-peak usage, charging less for off-peak times. Economy 7 times usually are classes between 10 pm and 8:30 am – but some suppliers' times may be slightly different.
- A three-rate meter considers weekend usage, alongside, peak and off-peak supply, charging all three rates at different rates. If you’re using energy over the weekend, this would be the best choice for your business.
- A two-rate meter is sometimes known as an Economy 7 meter, a two-rate meter differentiates between peak and off-peak usage, charging less for off-peak times. Economy 7 times usually are classes between 10 pm and 8:30 am – but some suppliers' times may be slightly different.
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How Do I Know if I Have a Multi-Rate Meter?
Despite looking like a standard digital meter, a multi-rate meter will have small grey writing above the screen to tell you if the meter is multi-rate. Despite the similarity to a standard meter, the digital display will alternate between two or three readings (depending if you’re on an Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariff) so you can get an accurate meter reading for each period.
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What Is A Distribution Network Operator (DNO)?
A DNO is a licesned company that distributes electricity allover the UK. They manage the cabling and infrastructure. Here is a list of DNO's:
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What is COP Metering?
Code of Practice or COP are metering panels that set parameters for technical requirements and standards for metering systems. After installation, a COP metering box is connected to your local supply point to communicate accurate peak energy consumption and patterns, including automated meter readings (AMRs).
Here are the different COP metering boxes associated with each meter type:
- Half Hourly Meters - COP1, COP2, COP3, COP5, COP6, COP7, and COP10
- Non Half Hourly Meters - COP8 and COP9
- Asset Metering Systems - COP11
- Metering Equipment installed in Metering systems for COP1 to COP10 - COP4
If you already know which COP you have after speaking with your DNO, arrange a meter installation with us today:
If you’re unsure which COP is best for you before you arrange a meter install, speak to a meter installation expert today.
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What Is COP5 Metering?
COP5 stands for Code Of Practice 5 and is for the maximum demand for metering transfers with a single meter installed with consumption between 100kW to 1MW for settlement purposes.