ESG Metric: GHG Scope 1 emissions
Ease of implementation: Medium
Suitable for: Office, manufacturing and commercial building-based companies
Suggested functional lead: Office or building manager, finance
Summary
A smart meter is a meter that communicates remotely with utility companies, automatically sending consumption data to your energy supplier and reporting your energy usage to a wireless visual display called an In-Home Display. Upgrading the gas meter is a great step towards reducing natural gas emissions. With permission from the facility manager, a smart meter can be installed hassle free by most energy suppliers. The new meter means businesses can track and understand their gas usage better, allowing for more in-depth improvement to decrease inefficient or excessive gas usage. You can couple the gas smart meter installation with the electricity meter as well to exchange both meters to smart ones at the same time.
Background Information
Smart meters are being installed globally at a rapid rate due to the accuracy in metering, automated reading submission and visualisation of energy usage. In the UK the installation of smart meters, both commercial and domestic, is being subsidised by the government and can be installed for free. The In-Home Display is a gadget connected to the smart meter that enables businesses and domestic properties to visualise their gas usage on a daily basis rather than solely through a gas statement. The visualisation of gas usage demonstrates opportunities to save on bills and reduces the gas-related carbon footprint. Additionally, it helps suppliers forecast demand and better source green energy from the grid.
Implementation Steps
Get permission from office or building manager
If you do not own your building, request permission from the facility manager to install a smart meter. The installation may require approval from all the businesses in the office and a chosen date for installation that avoids disruption to all. Collaborate with the facility manager to organise this.
Discuss smart meter options with suppliers
Get in touch with the energy supplier of the building to request smart meter options. Please note installation specifications that must be met include certain locations where a smart meter will not work due poor network coverage. It is crucial to work with the energy supplier to ensure all criteria are met. Additionally, it is always a good idea to request the standing charge and tariffs that your energy supplier provides. This is important because all energy suppliers have different rates, and there might be a better deal out there.
Compare with other energy suppliers
Contact multiple energy suppliers and get a quote identifying their tariffs and standing charges for smart meters. You may find that there is a better deal out there. Any price comparison website such as Uswitch will be helpful in identifying the best option.
Book a smart meter installation
Book an appointment for the installation. Usually, you will be given a 4-hour timeslot when the engineer will arrive to install the meter. They will require to turn off the gas for around 2 hours, so ensure this does not interfere with any work. The engineer will do a quick demonstration of the meter and hand over the In-Home Display for a visual representation of gas usage.
Assign responsibility for monitoring the energy consumption and reducing where necessary
Ensure you have up to date gas meter readings and bills from the day before the installation. Assign the responsibility to monitor gas usage and implement improvements to a member of staff. . This may include energy saving advice such as reducing the temperature of duration of time of the heating systems.
Estimated Cost
In the UK, there is currently no charge to upgrade a current gas meter to a smart meter, even on commercial sites. However, if a new connection is requested, that will come at a cost of minimum £120. A new connection is when a customer requests to install a meter where there has never been one before e.g. in a new build or extension of a building.