Understanding your business’s energy needs is more essential than ever especially in today’s competitive market. If your business consumes a high amount of electricity, you might have heard about half-hourly meters – A new smart, efficient way to monitor your energy consumption in real-time.
But what is a half-hourly meter, and most importantly does your business need one?
In this guide, we will be covering what half hourly meter is, the key information you will need to around half hourly metering, the benefits it could provide your business and how to get one installed at your business premise.
Whether you are looking to become more sustainable, reduce energy costs or simply comply with UK regulations, knowing if a half hourly meter is right for you is essential.
Keep reading to learn how half-hourly meters can transform the way your business views and manages energy to ensure you are getting the most out of your energy contract.
What Is a Half-Hourly Meter and How Does It Work?
A half hourly meter, also called a ‘00’ or HH meter by those in the energy industry, is a unique specialised electricity meter that was created to cater for large businesses with high levels of energy use.
The main feature that differentiates a half hourly meter from others is that the meter will automatically record your businesses energy consumption data at precise 30-minute intervals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This data is automatically sent directly to your electricity supplier, eliminating the need for manual meter reads and estimated billing.
Who Needs a Half-Hourly Meter? Key Eligibility Criteria
As discussed above, the half hourly meter was designed with large businesses with high level of energy use in mind as these meters can handle larger capacities than a standard electricity meter.
Under UK laws and regulations any business consuming 100kWh of electricity or more in any half hour period is obligated to have a half hourly meter installed.
Additionally, if your business is shown to consistently use 70kWh of electricity or more in any half hour period, your energy supplier may reach out to offer you a half hourly meter. At this point the decision is yours whether you choose to have one installed or not.
Its also important to point out the P272 regulations released by Ofgem, the UKs energy regulator, that states that if your business have a meter profile class of ‘05’, ‘06’, ‘07’ or ‘08’ you are now legally required to have a half hourly meter installed. This regulation was released in 2017 so the majority of the switch has already happened, but you may be one of the rare occurrences where the meter has not yet been switched. You can find out more about the P272 here.
Benefits of Installing a Half-Hourly Meter for Businesses
Some of the key benefits of a half hourly 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.
Is a Half-Hourly Meter Mandatory for Your Business?
This will be on a business-to-business case.
As mentioned previously if your business uses 100kWh or more in any 30-minute interval or if your meter is affected by the P272 legislation, you are legally required to have a half hourly meter installed.
How to Check If Your Business Already Has a Half-Hourly Meter
Now you know what a half hourly meter is, and which businesses are eligible and mandated to have one, but do you have on installed at your business premise already?
The easiest way to find out if you have a half hourly meter at your business address is to speak to your energy supplier or provide the energy supplier you are considering for your next contract with your meter point administration number (MPAN).
With this energy suppliers can use the centralised database to inform you whether you have a half hourly meter or not.
Alternatively, if you are at your business premise and don’t want to wait on an energy supplier you can check the meter yourself manually. All you need to do is head to your energy meter, you should be able to see something that resembles the image below:
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 to a Half-Hourly Meter—Step-by-Step Guide
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.
Top FAQs About Half-Hourly Meters in the UK
We know half hourly meters can be confusing to get your head around when you are not part of the energy industry. That’s why we have gathered some of the most frequently asked questions around the topic below:
Q: What is a DNO?
A: DNO stands for distribution network operator, they are regulated by Ofgem and are totally independent from your energy supplier. They maintain and manage the electricity network in your area – the cables and wires that deliver power from the national grid to homes and businesses.
Q: What are maximum demand & maximum import capacity?
A: Maximum demand (MD) is a business’s highest peak demand for electricity at any half hour period, this is measured in kW or kVA.
Maximum import capacity (MIC), also referred to as available supply capacity (ASC) or availability and agreed capacity. This is a connection agreement between the end user (Your Business) and the DNO, this agreement will specify the upper threshold of energy that the end user expects to draw from the distribution network.
You need to ensure you leave leeway with your MD as if this exceeds the agreed upon MIC, your DNO will apply an excess capacity charge to your energy bills.
Q: What is a capacity charge?
A: Capacity charge, also referred to as availability charge, is the monthly charge per unit charge that an energy user pays the DNO. This charge is based upon your agreed MIC of the business and covers the maintenance of the electricity network.
Q: What is a kVA charge?
A: The kVA (Kilo-Volt-Ampere) charge is a monthly amount that is paid to your DNO for the available power capacity provided to your business, this is paid indirectly to the DNO, via your energy bills, the charge is base don upon your MIC.
Q: Can you get a gas half hourly meter?
A: Half hourly meters are for electricity and at present there is no equivalent for gas.
Q: What is a meter operator?
A: A meter operator, known as a MOP, is the company that is responsible fitting your electricity meter and for its upkeep, if you have a half hourly meter, you’re obligated to have a MOP agreement in place.
Prices and services will vary depending on the company, and contract can sometimes be as long as 5 years. Its our recommendation you shop around and compare a few companies before making a decision that suits your business needs best.
Q: Are smart meters the same thing as a half hourly meter?
A: Although smart meters and half hourly meters share the same main benefit of automatically sending meter reads to your supplier, they are not the same thing.
Q: What does a data collector and data aggregator do?
A: Your data collector (DC) collects the half hourly energy data from your business via phone line or by internet connection
Data Aggregators (DA) validate the data to provide you with accurate bills and statements.
Take Control of Your Business Energy with a Half-Hourly Meter
Investing in the right energy solutions is essential for any business looking to stay competitive and efficient. A half hourly meter not only provides your business with greater visibility into your energy usage, but it also allows you to identify areas of waste, opportunities to save on energy costs and reduce your carbon footprint.
At Dyce Energy, we specialise in helping businesses just like yours make informed decisions about their energy needs. Whether you are mandated to have a half hourly meter installed or you are considering the switch to help optimised business operations, our expert team can advise and guide you every step of the way.
Don’t leave your energy strategy to chance, contact us today to discuss how a half-hourly meter can benefit your business. Let Dyce Energy deliver smarter, cost-effective solutions tailored to your needs.
Ready to make the switch? Get a free no obligation quote from the team now!
