For many UK businesses, changing the type of electricity meter that your business uses can be a hassle.
But it doesn’t have to be.
With our handy guide on changing your meter type, you won’t ever struggle with it again.
Change of Measurement Class
The type of electricity meter that your business has installed depends on how much electricity you use. Your meter may need to be reprogrammed or replaced if it doesn’t suit your current energy consumption – which can happen for a variety of reasons. The process of changing or reprogramming your meter is known as a ‘change of measurement class’ (CoMC).
What is a measurement class?
There are two main types of business electricity meter that differ mostly by how they measure your electricity usage. These are:
- Non-half hourly: These are read manually by you, whoever manages energy for your business, or by a data collector once a month or once a quarter. You are then billed based on this monthly or quarterly data.
- Half-hourly: These automatically send meter readings every half hour to a data collector who will then submit them to your energy supplier. With half-hourly meters there is no need for manual meter readings, and your bills are based on the data sent to suppliers. This means billing is more accurate and timely.
These meter types are then divided into seven measurement classes from A to G. This depends on how they measure your electricity and how much your business consumes. Non-half hourly meters (A) also have a profile class (1-8) that reflects how much energy you use when you use it. The meter classes that are important for businesses are listed below.
Meter Types for Businesses
| Measurement Class | Description | Profile Class |
| A | Non-half hourly meter for smaller energy users | 1-4 |
| A | Non-half hourly meter for larger energy users (Also known as ‘maximum demand’ meter) | 5-8 |
| C | Half-hourly meter at above 100kW premises | 0 |
| E | Half-hourly meter at below 100kW premises with current transformer | 0 |
| G | Half-hourly meter at below 100kW premises with whole current | 0 |
How can I find out my meter types?
The first thing that you should do is look for your 21-digit ‘S’ supply number. The S number can also be known as a Meter Point Administration Number, or MPAN. This number will be held in your electricity bill. The profile class that we discussed earlier are the first two digits of this number that we have circled below. Here, the 04 indicates that your Profile Class is 4 so your meter is non-half hourly.
Why would I ever need to change my meter type?
Although not incredibly common, the two main situations in which you will need to change your meter type is:
- You would like to upgrade to an automated meter reading (AMR) or smart meter. This is most commonly seen with customers who have a non-half hourly meter and want to switch to automatic meter readings. This is only achievable with an AMR or smart meter.
- Your energy usage is too high for your current measurement class. When your energy usage is higher than expected when you signed your energy deal, you’ll likely need to change your meter type in order to accommodate your ‘actual’ current consumption. Under the regulations P272 and P322, meters of a certain size are required to be half-hourly.
What’s the P272 and P322?
Historically, only those businesses with the demand over 100kW were required to have half-hourly meters. This changed with the regulations P272 and P322 introduced on the 1st of April 2017.
All businesses in the profile classes 5-8 are now required to have half-hourly meters. What this means is that if your demand rises to 69 – 100kW or above, then you will have to upgrade your meter type to half-hourly.
As part of Ofgem’s transition to a smarter electricity grid, switching more businesses to half-hourly metering will help both business operations and suppliers to balance the grid. Businesses will get more accurate and timely billing, and the half-hourly data gives a far more accurate picture of your energy usage so that you are able to better find ways to make savings.
Who is involved in the upgrade process?
There will be three different companies involved in the meter upgrade process:
- Distribution Network Operator: your local DNO that controls the electricity network in your local area and the incoming supply cable to your meter.
- Energy Supplier: your energy supplier like Niccolo Gas and Power that supplies your energy. You are able to choose a supplier and type of energy contract to suit your new half-hourly metering.
- Meter Operator: your MOP who operates your meter. You are able to choose a meter operator who will visit your property to adjust or replace your current meter.
How can I upgrade my meter to half-hourly?
We have created a list that most customers can use:
- First, contact your local DNO to upgrade your incoming supply. You are able to find out who your distribution network operator is online easily. You should get in touch to arrange a new connection agreement for the capacity you need.
- Arrange a half-hourly metering contract with a MOP of your choice. You can find out accredited meter operators online.
- Contact your current energy supplier, broker, or supplier of choice to arrange a half-hourly supply contract.
- Fill out and send your ‘Upgrade to Supply Form’ to your energy supplier. The majority of the information needed for this can be obtained from your DNO.
- Your energy supplier will then arrange for your chosen MOP to visit your business to upgrade your meter. Often this will take up to two weeks following submission of your Upgrade to Supply form. It is essential that the DNO has upgraded your incoming supply before the MOP visit. It is likely that the MOP will not be able to visit your property and may charge you if this work has not been done.
- Following the MOP visit, your account will be converted by your energy supplier to half-hourly billing and the process will be complete.
Will I get a new meter when I upgrade?
In some cases, yes, but most businesses won’t necessarily need to replace their meters to upgrade as they already have advanced meters capable of sending half-hourly meter readings to their supplier. In this scenario, a reprogramming is all that is needed.
Your DNO may also decide that the best option is to install a new meter entirely. This won’t be an upgrade to your supply but a new connection with a new supply number (MPAN).
Am I able to downgrade my meter?
It is not possible to down grade to a non-half hourly meter from a half-hourly meter. There are industry rules in place to prevent this action as Ofgem would like to move as many business customers to half-hourly meters in order to facilitate a transition to a smarter national electricity network.
Where can I find out more about this?
Unlike some suppliers, we actually want to talk to you.
If you are interested in our wide range of tailor-made product offerings then simply get in contact with us today. Or if you would like to find out more about anything discussed in this article, contact us directly or browse our website for ready-made solutions.
When you reach out to us, we will respond as soon as possible with our best prices – saving you money on your energy supply.
You can visit our website at https://niccolo.co.uk/contact-us
Or give us a call on 0131 610 8868
You can even email us directly at info@niccolo.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you!