Smart meters: An introduction

What is a smart meter?

The term smart meter is often used to refer to the small display screen in your home. This is actually your In Home Display, which links to your gas and electricity smart meters.

The smart meter set up in a property is typically made up of four main parts:

Electricity meter
This is the device that clocks your electricity usage and works largely the same as a traditional electricity meter. This is mounted to the wall, usually next to your consumer unit (fuse box).

In this photo, the electricity meter is the lower white section of the device.

Gas meter
For homes using gas, the smart gas meter functions similarly to the electricity meter, measuring your usage. 

Communications hub
This device connects your gas and electricity meters to your energy supplier and other devices. It uses a secure wireless network to send your energy usage data directly to your supplier.

In this photo, the communications hub is the top grey section of the device.

In-Home Display (IHD)
The IHD is a small digital screen that displays your real-time energy usage, costs, and other information. It communicates with your meters to give you a better understanding of your energy consumption.