Commercial Electricity Meter Installation
Having the right commercial electricity meter installed is one of the keys to unlocking cheaper electricity bills.
Get a free commercial electric meter installation when you switch suppliers with us. We’ll aim to have your new meter installed within 2 weeks.
Our Business Electricity Meter Installation Process
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Tell us more about your business and an expert will be in touch to tell you more about the electricity meter types, rates, and installation dates available.
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We will help you choose the best electricity meter to suit your business and plan any requirements for extensive site work if necessary.
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Once you have chosen your electricity meter we will work with your chosen supplier and meter operator to get you an installation date.
Secure A Gas Meter Installation With Our Panel Of Trusted UK Suppliers
How To Check Your MPAN Status For A Gas Meter Installation
If you’re moving into new premises you may not know what type of electricity meter you have. However, the first step should be determining your meter state. You’ll need your Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) to identify your supply. The MPAN status indicates if your building is ready for supply or requires site work.
There are three possible stages that your meter could be:
- Live - this is great news as your meter is set up and ready to go. You can switch suppliers now or request a brand new electric meter now.
- Disconnected - your service cable has been removed and will require what we refer to as ‘siteworks’. You will need to contact your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to arrange new cable installation. You will be given a new MPAN number and once you have this, you can switch suppliers to start saving. You can find out who your DNO is here to arrange new cable installation.
- New/ Energised - You have your new MPAN number but still need to gather some extra information like your profile class. You could be classed as a ‘new’ meter state if you’re waiting for your service cable to be connected. You don’t need to do anything yet as it can take 3-4 weeks for your MPAN to be activated. You can request a new meter at this stage but the work cannot be completed until your MPAN is activated.
- De-energised - whilst the supply cable is still in place the fuse has been removed. This means the building has had its electric meter removed by the supplier and is now classed as de-energised. You will need to contact the supplier who removed the meter to reinstate the meter before you can have a live supply.
What Is My MPAN Status?
Understanding your MPAN status can save you a lot of time as you cannot switch energy suppliers if you're disconnected or de-energised. Your MPAN number is unqiue and allows relevant parties, including your supplier to identify your meter and supply.
You can check your meter status with your current supplier; or if your moving into a new property you can contact the National Grid's helpline (0870 608 1524).
Types Of Commercial Electricity Meters
Once you have decided to save money on your bills and get a new electric meter, it’s time to identify the best meter type for your business. Here are your options:
Single Rate Meters
For businesses with one building, a typical ‘working day’ consumption and a simple way of monitoring usage; you’ll likely want one of the following meter types.
- Standard meter - measuring your usage in the simplest way as you’re charged one unit rate no matter the time of day. You will need to submit regular meter readings to your supplier. This is not the most accurate way of tracking your electricity usage as it requires at least one reading per month.
- Commercial smart meter - this is suitable for most small businesses and automatically sends meter readings to your supplier before your monthly bill is generated. There’s no need for manual readings.
- Half hourly meter - for businesses with high electricity usage, it is legally required to have this meter type installed. You can find out about half-hourly meters and their usage bands here.
Two & Three Rate Meters (Multi-Rate Meters)
For businesses operating during unsocial hours or late evenings; a two or three-rate meter can save a significant amount of money. Here are the options:
- Time of use meters - the unit rate you’re charged changes depending on the time of day. These are often known as Economy 7 & 10 meters. For example, you will pay a much cheaper unit rate during the evening/ night-time hours and a higher rate in the daytime. These are very popular for businesses that operate mainly in the evening but can become expensive as the daytime rates are often much higher than other tariffs.
- Three rate - this is also classed as a time of use meter but considers weekends. For example, you will be charged three different unit rates for standard daytime, evenings and weekends.
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Do I Need A Multi-Rate Meter?
This largely depends on how you use energy. Most UK households prefer to just have a smart meter with a basic selection of energy tariffs. However, if you’re a bit of a night owl or use most of your energy in off-peak hours, you could see significant savings on your home energy bills.
For businesses, it is important to understand how much energy you’re using and what your peak operation times are. Multi-rate meters are great for businesses operating mainly during the night, evenings and weekends.
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How Do I Switch To A Multi-Rate Meter?
If you’ve decided you want to switch to a multi-rate tariff, the process is similar to any other energy switch. You can get started by comparing the latest energy prices online with Power Compare.
When you compare energy prices, it’s important to consider the full cost of your tariff. When you switch with us, we will provide an estimated annual bill for your tariff type based on your current usage.
Once you’ve selected your chosen tariff, we’ll take care of the rest of your switch on your behalf. This includes dealing with energy suppliers to get you switched over to your new tariff.
If you don’t already have a multi-rate meter, your new supplier will need to install a new meter before your switch is completed. Many suppliers will offer your meter free of charge when you take out a contract with them, however, you can check this before you complete your switch.
With Power Compare, finding the best Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariff is simple. Our quick comparison engine allows you to compare the latest tariff from a panel of trusted suppliers in seconds.
Do I Need A New Commercial Electric Meter?
Businesses require a new commercial electricity meter if they’re moving into new premises, the meter is no longer fit for purpose (either outdated or has grown), or you’re currently operating on an old analogue meter.
You may want to move towards automatic electric meter readings to avoid estimated billing. We’re here to make sure that doesn’t happen.