“Why I’ll be getting a smart meter as a renter”

Written by student Emma Bainbridge

This winter, I’ll be renting a flat for the first time in the UK. One of the first things that I’ll be doing is getting a smart meter.

I’m someone who is very conscious about my energy use, both for environmental and economical reasons. I remember receiving my first energy bill as a student and being shocked at how high the number was. This time, I want to have control over my energy use so that I don’t receive such surprises.

My grandmother has a smart meter that helps her optimise her energy consumption. The display allows her to track how much energy she is using and how much it’s costing. This helps her identify where she can cut back on unnecessary usage and save money.

I’ve always tried to practice energy-saving tips, such as unplugging “zombie” devices, blocking draughts, and using LED lightbulbs. With a smart meter, I’ll be able to see in near real-time whether these efforts are paying off and reducing my energy consumption. Overtime, I can spot patterns and identify potential areas where I can save energy, allowing me to concentrate my efforts on strategies that have the biggest impact.

Private renters who own smart meters continue to see clear benefits, with 9 in 10 reporting positive experiences*, which indicates to me that it’s a worthy decision to switch to smart. As renters, we can request a smart meter ourselves if we’re the ones paying the electricity bills. You can let your landlord know you are getting one installed. I’ll be moving into my new home in winter, when energy bills are highest, and I want to be aware of my energy use from the get-go to avoid unwanted surprises in the form of high energy bills.

Cost savings aside, I work at an environmental non-profit and want to do my part to help us transition to a low-carbon energy system. With the smart meter, not only can I save energy, but I can sign up to energy reward schemes or time-of-use tariffs. That means getting rewarded by your energy company for changing when you use your energy – like doing your laundry or batch cooking at off-peak times when others are using less. If we can reduce demand during peak times and move demand to when there’s lots of renewable energy, we could reduce our fossil fuel use.

As a prospective renter, installing a smart meter is a no-brainer for me! It’s completely free, and the smart meter display allows me to effectively budget my energy use to be more sustainable and economical!

Eligibility may vary. Consumer action required. Reward schemes and tariffs are available to selected customers from selected suppliers.  

*Smart Energy GB Outlook Research, conducted by Yonder Consulting, May 2025