We all know that learning about business energy meters isn’t the most interesting part of running a business. But if you’re in charge of a large business with high energy consumption, it pays to understand how it all works. Half-hourly meters are slowly working their way into popular business lingo, so we’ve put together this Q&A to help answer all of those burning questions.

What is a Half-Hourly Meter?

As the name suggests, a half-hourly meter sends a meter reading every half an hour. Instead of providing one meter reading per year, this type of meter is connected to a communications device which sends a reading much more frequently.

How Do I Know if I Have a Half-Hourly Meter?

If you’re unsure what type of meter you have, check the supply number which will be printed at the top of your most recent energy bill. If it starts with 00, then you have a half-hourly meter.

How Will a Half-Hourly Meter Benefit My Business?

The biggest benefit to your business is that you’ll receive much more accurate bills, which means never paying more than you have to. In the past, only having one reading per year meant that you either ended up paying more than required based on an estimated bill, or you would pay too little, resulting in an additional bill at the end of the year.

Do I Need a Half-Hourly Meter?

Half-hourly meters are mandatory if your business has a peak energy demand of more than 100kW in any half an hour period. Otherwise, you won’t require a half hourly meter until the start of April 2017.

How Do I Switch My Tariff on a Half-Hourly Meter?

The process of switching tariffs when on a half-hourly meter is more complicated, as it requires the services of a meter operator and a data collector. Therefore, it would be beneficial for you to seek advice from a business energy broker to ensure you get the best possible deal.

If you have any more questions about half-hourly meters, click here.