One way to reduce your energy costs

SMART meters give you real time information on your energy use, allowing you to better manage your usage, so you can save money and reduce emissions. They communicate directly with your electricity supplier (who you pay your bills to) which means that no one will need to come and read your meter.

If you are considering getting a SMART meter, or if your energy company is offering to install one in your home there are some important factors to think about.

Firstly, if you live in a flat that is connected to the council’s communal heating system you cannot disconnect from this. You must tell your energy supplier and the engineer that visits your home that it is not possible to connect a SMART meter to the landlord controlled heating. However, you can have a SMART meter to read how much other energy your household uses, eg power and lighting.

If you live in a house (and therefore not on a communal heating system) you are able to have a SMART meter to read all your energy including heating.

If you would like to change to a SMART meter you will need to seek our permission first. This applies to all tenants – whether you live in a house or a flat.

You must write to us to say that you would like to install a SMART meter at home and provide your name, address and contact number. Email your requests to Permission.requests@southampton.gov.uk