When it comes to managing your business energy, making sure you chose the right type of electricity meter is vital to ensure accurate billing and efficient energy usage monitoring.
UK businesses usually have to decide between a half hourly or non-half hourly meter, with each being designed to suit different energy consumption levels. Understanding the difference between these meters help businesses like your make informed decisions about their energy management, their compliance with UK law and potential cost savings.
In this guide we will be breaking down the key features, benefits and considerations around half hourly and non-half hourly meters to help you determine which meter suits your business needs.
What is a Half Hourly Meter
A half hourly meter, also known as a ‘00’ or HH meter by those in the industry, is a specialised electricity meter tailored made for large businesses. The main feature of this meter type is that the meter will automatically record a business’s energy consumption at precise half hour intervals, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This data is then automatically transferred to your electricity supplier which means goodbye to manual meter readings, freeing you up to do what you do best, running your business.
What is a non half hourly meter
A non-half hourly meter, often referred to as a NNH meter, is a type of electricity meter typically used by small to medium sized businesses with lower energy consumption levels. Unlike half hourly meters, NNH meters collect and store your energy consumption data, but this will then need to be sent manually to your energy supplier at regular intervals, this is usually on a monthly basis however on occasions can be quarterly.
These meters are ideal for businesses with lower levels of consumption with predictable energy patterns which do not require real time energy monitoring.
Key differences
There are many differences between a half hourly and non-half hourly meter, we have identified some of the key differences below:
Data collection & transmission: As previously discussed a HH meter records data at 30-minute intervals and automatically sends this data to your energy supplier. Whereas with a non-half hourly meter data needs to be manually read and sent to your supplier.
Accuracy & Monitoring: When looking at a HH meter they provide greater insight into your energy usage, collecting data in real time for you to analyse. In comparison a NHH meter can only tell you how much energy has been used since the last time you completed a manual read; this key difference means that a HH meter allows a business to make more informed decisions around their energy due to the data available.
Billing accuracy: With a HH meter sending data in real time, you can rest assured in most cases your energy bill will be correct. If you have a NHH meter and forget to submit a meter read you could be hit with an estimated bill, this is where your energy supplier
makes a best guess at the energy you consumed over your billing period. This can in some cases be significantly higher than they actual amount of energy your business consumes.
Suitability for business sizes: As previously mentioned HH were tailored made for larger energy consumers like factories or manufacturers. NNH meters are used in domestic premises and small to medium sized businesses with lower levels of energy consumption. With this in mind if your business consumes more than 70kWh of electricity in any half hourly interval, your energy supplier is likely to offer you a HH meter to ensure your business gets the energy it needs.
Flexibility & energy management: With all the data that a HH meter collects businesses can identify patterns and any areas for concern. You can then implement energy strategies to reduce waste, improve efficiency and ultimately reduce costs. If you have a NHH meter, you will not gain these insights meaning you are limited in making changes within your business regarding energy management.
Who Needs a half hourly meter
The HH meter was designed to handle larger capacities compared to a standard
electricity meter, making it the preferred choice for large businesses with a high energy use.
Any business consuming 100 kWh of electricity or more in a half hour period is legally obligated to have a HH meter installed.
Additionally, if your business consumes more than 70 kWh in a half-hour period, your energy supplier will likely offer you a HH meter, this is not a requirement, and you are within your rights to reject this offer and continue using a standard meter.
Benefits of a half hourly meter
Some of the key benefits of a HH meter include the following:
· Fully automated meter readings
· Accurate billing with no estimates
· Real-time in-depth energy consumption data is available to your business to help you identify areas where you could save money.
· Improve financial forecasting with data to predict usage during busier periods.
· Suppliers may offer more tailored tariffs as they are able to analyse your energy consumption on different days and times. E.g if you were to use less energy during peak demand times (Roughly 7am – 6pm) you could be financially rewarded with lower rates in off peak times.
Advantages of a non half hourly meter
Some of the advantages of having a NHH meter over a HH meter include the following:
· Lower installation and maintenance costs as there is no need for advanced monitoring equipment or communication systems, reducing the set up and ongoing costs.
· Perfect for small to medium sized businesses with predictable or lower energy consumption levels as NHH meters remove lots of the complexities around energy.
· No real time monitoring fees
· Easier transition for growing businesses as the move to a HH meter is simpler than changing a HH meter back to a NHH meter.
How to tell what meter you have
So, you may be thinking my business hits all the criteria for a HH meter, but do I already have one at my business premise?
Its not a difficult as you may be thinking, its actually quite simple. The easiest way to check would be getting your meter point administration number (MPAN) and sending this to your energy supplier, with this information the supplier should be able to identify if this is a HH meter or not.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to reach out to your supplier you can do this yourself, all you need to do is head to your energy meter.
You can tell if it’s a HH meter by checking if there is a ‘00’ in the top corner next to the S, please see image below.
Please note: Ofgem, the UKs energy regulator, released new regulations in 2017 known as P272 which required any business with meter profile classification of ‘05’, ‘06’, ‘07’ or ‘08’ to now have their energy usage recorded at 30-minute intervals. The majority of meters will already have been transferred but this is something for you to keep an eye out for. You profile class is highlighted with the red circle on the image above.
How to switch from non half hourly to half hourly meter
If you are looking to switch from a non-half hourly meter to a half hourly meter, you will need to go through a change of measurement class, also called a CoMC.
This could involve reprogramming your existing meter or replacing it with a brand new one.
While the steps to switching meters will vary depending on your supplier, the process is likely to include the following:
· You will need to inform your local distribution network operator you intend to switch, at this point you will need to arrange your maximum import capacity. If you do not know your local distribution network operator, you can find it here with just your postcode.
· Securing your meter operator services, some suppliers will offer this service or will have trusted partners they could recommend. This needs to be done ahead of time to ensure your switch can happen. You are free to choose your own meter operator service.
· You will need to complete some kind of CoMC form for your energy supplier
· Finally, you will need to arrange a date for the re-programming/installation of your half hourly meter.
Considerations for each meter type
The decision between having a half-hourly or non-half hourly meter will depend on a variety of different factors, we have highlighted some of the key ones below:
Regulatory Compliance: If your business is above the threshold for energy consumption in a half hourly period or falls under the P272 legislation, it is crucial that you have a HH meter installed. This ensures you are complying with UK laws and regulations, avoiding any nasty penalties or fines, but also allows you to optimise your energy management.
Business Size & Energy Consumption: As previously discussed, a large business with high energy consumption levels will need benefit more from the detailed insights that a HH meter can provide. Whereas a smaller business with lower energy demands may find that a NHH meter is more cost effective for them.
Cost considerations: Although HH meters provide detailed real time data and potentially flexible lower unit rates, the installation, maintenance and running costs can be significantly higher than a NHH meter. This is where you as the decision maker within your business will need to make a choice by weighing up these costs against the benefits of accurate billing and energy consumption insights.
Energy savings: HH meters gives your business more insight into your energy usage, helping you identify areas for improvement. For smaller businesses with lower usage, the savings are likely to be minimal, however for larger businesses with high levels of usage, small changes can make a big difference to your bill.
Final thoughts: Which meter is right for you?
Deciding which meter type is right for your business is down to you and your businesses specific needs. However, the experts here at Dyce are on hand to assist you and provide you any information you require.
If you are looking to switch suppliers to Dyce Energy you can find our switching process in our dedicated blog here.
If you have a half hourly meter or are looking to switch to a half hourly meter and are looking to switch energy suppliers, you can get a free-no obligation from us today!
