How can I get a smart meter?

Peakyblinder83

Hi, I live in a converted barn next door to my landlord. Our electricity/gas is supplied from his home and we pay a set amount each month for gas and elec. we don’t get a bill and because our energy is joint with his we can’t request after smart meter. I would really like to know how much we are using and wondered if anyone had any recommendations? 

Many thanks

J

QrizB

It sounds very much as though you don't have your own energy account with a supplier so you won''t qualify for a free smart meter, but the plus side is that you aren't having to pay your own standing charge (you're probably paying a share of the landlord's).

If you have access to the meter, you can read it and work out your daily/weekly/monthly use.

Or you could ask your landlord to install a smart sub-meter; this is likely to cost you more (see example at this link) since there will be a charge for the metering service.

Astria

The best way to check how much you are using is probably by using a CT clip over your main incoming power cable. Something like this: https://www.powerhouse.je/heating-cooling-c350/heating-c979/smart-heating-c960/geo-minim-pck-mp-003-energy-consumption-meter-with-ct-clip-sensor-p16043

pochase

Astria said:

The best way to check how much you are using is probably by using a CT clip over your main incoming power cable. Something like this: https://www.powerhouse.je/heating-cooling-c350/heating-c979/smart-heating-c960/geo-minim-pck-mp-003-energy-consumption-meter-with-ct-clip-sensor-p16043

That is a good idea if you just want to know what you are using. 

Don't forget, if your landlord installs a submeter he might also get the idea to charge you in future for real cost and no longer a set amount. Has this set amount been increased recently? In October the electricity cost will have more than doubled within a year. 

Robin9

Peakyblinder83 said:

 Our electricity/gas is supplied from his home and we pay a set amount each month for gas and elec. we don’t get a bill and because our energy is joint with his 

J

You may be onto a good thing here but you may not .  How much are you paying ?

A barn conversion  - high ceilings I imagine.  What is the heating ? 

Mister_G

And sadly you won't be getting the £400 handout!