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Installing Energy Meters in Businesses
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A guide to installing energy meters in businesses
As your business grows, so does your energy consumption. If you need to expand your energy capacity or move into a building without energy meters, you will need to install new meters. Here’s everything you need to know about installing gas and electric meters in your business.
How to arrange the installation of a business energy meter
These are the steps required to install a new business energy meter in your business building.
- Find your business’s electric and gas supply service numbers – These are unique numbers that identify your facility’s services. The Meter Point Control Number (MPAN) can be found on your most recent electricity bill and the Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) can be found on your most recent gas bill.
- Determine the type of meter you need – Not all energy meters are created equal, so it’s important to consult with your supplier or an energy expert at Beta Energy Direct Business to determine what type of meter you need is. Check out the types of electricity and gas meters available for your business to get a head start.
- Negotiate the price of a new meter – Smart meters are usually free to install, but you may incur charges to install a different type of meter on your premises, especially if you use a lot of energy. Luckily, installation costs are usually negotiable, so don’t accept the supplier’s first offer. Negotiate the cost of installing a new meter and negotiate a price for installing a commercial gas meter.
- Book an installation appointment – Once you agree on the type of meter and the cost of installation, the utility will assess the work required and arrange a date to install the new meter. After installation, billing starts based on the terms agreed with the provider.
If you are unsure of who powers your property, please call (0800) 999-1160. We can help you find suppliers, arrange meter installation, and see if there are cheap gas and electric deals that you can switch to.
Who is responsible for installing a working gas meter?
If you need to install a gas meter at your workplace, as a business owner you are responsible for arranging the installation. If you rent out your business premises, your landlord may regulate your equipment. In either case, the gas manifold should be used to organize the installation and ensure he is installed by a qualified Gas Safe engineer.
Where should I install the gas meter?
Gas meters should be installed on the outside or inside walls of premises within 2 meters of the corners of the building on either side of the door or closed window. There are some instances where gas meters need to be installed in buildings.
- If the site is part of a large commercial area
- Common area of collective housing
- In the technical room of the office building
- If the property has a boundary wall directly in front of the walkway.
Buildings may have other specific conditions that determine where to place meters. Please consult a qualified and registered technician for best advice.
What are MPAN, MPRN and why do I want them?
MPAN (meter point control number) and MPRN (meter point reference number) are unique numbers that allow suppliers to identify energy consuming facilities. Your MPAN number can be found on your most recent electricity bill and your MPRN can be found on your most recent gas bill.
If you’ve never received an invoice, you can get a number from your current provider. If you want to set up a new commercial power connection, you will need to contact your local power supplier to set it up.
If you move to a new building, you will need to arrange new connections as follows:
- Connection Setup – The local Distribution System Operator (DNO) is responsible for setting up the connection, so he must contact the DNO to arrange a quote for the work. The cost of installing a new electricity meter depends on your location and the amount of electricity you need.
- Choose an energy supplier – Next you need to choose an energy supplier that will power your workplace. Call Beta Energy Direct’s tech-savvy energy experts on 0800 970 0077. Find energy suppliers and tariffs that meet the unique needs of your business. Set the price and choose the energy contract that fits your business.
Next, before agreeing on the above price and installation date, we need to agree on the type of meter to be installed. To give you a better idea of what kind of meter you need, here are the different types of gas and electric meters available to businesses.
What types of energy meters are available for businesses?
There are several types of energy meter you can choose from, each of which are designed to meet the unique energy demands of all businesses, from industrial-scale operations to SMEs.
Single rate meters
Single rate meters monitor your energy usage at a single, flat rate, making them the most popular type of business energy meter, particularly for those that mostly operate during the peak consumption hours between 8am and 10pm.
Standard meter
The most common type of meter, standard meters use one unit rate when measuring your energy consumption, so the cost is the same for every unit, and require you to manually send meter readings to your supplier. If not, you`ll be placed on estimated billing and could find yourself overpaying or underpaying for energy.
Business smart meter
Next-generation meters that use wireless tech to automatically send readings to your supplier, smart energy meters provide accurate billing and allow you to stay in control of your energy usage and cut your business energy bills.
Half-hourly meter
Designed for businesses with high energy demand, these meters take half-hourly meter readings and submit them directly to your supplier. This eliminates manual meter reading and ensures error-free billing. For more information on installing large-scale electricity meters, call Beta Energy Direct ( BED )’s energy experts on (0800) 999-1160 or contact your supplier. You can also learn more about corporate energy by reading our guide to corporate and industrial energy pricing.
Counter with two charges
Meters with two tariffs calculate two separate tariffs depending on the time of day. Generally, you will be charged a flat fee that is cheaper during off-peak hours and a higher fee during peak hours.
Three tariff meter
A meter with three tariffs allows businesses to pay peak tariffs, off-peak tariffs, and separate tariffs on weekends. Evening, weekend and night counters – another type of usage time counter, these counters offer three different tariffs.
- Higher charges for daily power consumption
- Discounts for nights and weekends
- Even better nighttime rates
Day and Night Meters
Also known as Economy 7 and Economy 10 meters, these are dual rate electricity meters that provide separate readings and rates for day and night use. Utilization per day is higher during peak hours and lower at night for each unit used within a given 7 or 10 hour period.
Similarly, evening and weekend meters have two rates, with the lower rate applied on weekends, making these meters suitable for businesses that use the most electricity on weekends.
Time zone meter rates vary depending on the region and power company, so be sure to check when choosing a business electricity rate. Please call (0800) 999-1160 for more information.
What is the difference between single-phase and three-phase power?
Refers to the voltage of the commercial power supply that is receiving power. Three-phase power supplies higher voltages than single-phase power.
Businesses with large specialized machinery (such as manufacturers) may be offered three-phase supply, while smaller businesses such as retailers and offices are usually provided with single-phase supply as standard
How much does it cost to install a new meter in a commercial facility?
The amount you pay for meter installation depends on the type of meter you install and the effort required to install it. Installation costs are not fixed, so it’s worth negotiating costs with your meter installer.
How long does it take to install a new working gas or electric meter?
Installation of a new operating energy meter typically takes five days to two weeks.
However, installing additional meters may require additional work at your facility and installation may take up to 12 weeks. Therefore, it is advisable to start installing new operational gas or electric meters as soon as possible. Also, for safety reasons, always remember to hire a fully certified commercial gas fitter for your gas meter.
If you operate in multiple locations or have multiple meters in a building, contact us to multisite meters and multisite energy management. To find out what kind of business energy meter you need, or switch to a better deal, call (0800) 999-1160 and connect with Beta Energy Direct’s tech-savvy experts.
