In short
Business electricity meters record how much electricity a site uses, at a supply point identified by an MPAN. The main types are standard, multi-rate (such as Economy 7), smart (SMETS2), AMR and half-hourly meters. Business gas meters record volume, at a supply point identified by an MPRN. Your supplier arranges the meter through a meter operator.
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What a business meter does
Every business premises with mains energy has at least one meter for each fuel. The meter does two jobs. It records how much energy you use, which is what your supplier bills you for, and it sits at a supply point that the industry identifies by a fixed reference number: the MPAN for electricity and the MPRN for gas.
Those numbers belong to the supply point, not to the meter or the supplier. The meter itself has its own serial number, which changes if the meter is replaced. When you ask for a quote, a supplier needs the supply number to identify your site, and the meter type tells it how your use is recorded and which tariffs are possible.
Business meters look much like home meters on smaller premises, but on larger sites the arrangements are different. Larger electricity supplies are metered every half hour, read remotely, and looked after by specialist companies under the industry's settlement rules. Knowing which meter you have is the first step to understanding your bill, your tariff options and the paperwork when you move or upgrade.
Types of business electricity meter
The table sets out the meter types a business is most likely to have. Your bill, or the top line of your full MPAN, will usually tell you which one is installed.
| Meter type | How it records use | How it is read | Typical sites | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (single-rate) | One total of kWh used, at one rate | Manual or supplier readings | Smaller premises with steady daytime use | Business electricity |
| Two-rate or multi-rate | Separate registers for set time bands, such as day and night | Manual or supplier readings, or remotely if smart | Sites with heavy overnight use | Economy 7 for business |
| Smart (SMETS2) | Records use in detail, including half-hourly data | Sends readings automatically through the national smart network | Smaller business premises | Smart meters for business |
| AMR (advanced) | Records use for multiple time periods | Supplier reads it remotely | Mid-sized and larger sites | Smart and AMR meters |
| Half-hourly | Records use in every 30-minute period | Read remotely by a data collector | Larger supplies (profile class 00) | Half-hourly meters |
Larger electricity supplies often use current transformer (CT) metering, where the meter measures the supply through current transformers rather than carrying the full load itself. Ofgem's supply licence has its own rules on installing CT meters.
Support for Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meters, an older way of switching multi-rate meters between rates, has now ended, according to Ofgem. If you still have one, Ofgem's advice is to contact your supplier to arrange a new smart meter.
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Business gas meters
Gas meters measure the volume of gas that passes through them, in cubic metres or, on older imperial meters, cubic feet. Your supplier converts that volume into kWh for billing, using the calorific value of the gas and a correction factor, and your bill shows the figures used. Our business gas guide explains the conversion in more detail.
Business gas meters come in three broad types:
- Standard gas meters, read manually or by the supplier.
- Smart gas meters (SMETS2), which send readings automatically on smaller business premises.
- AMR (advanced) gas meters, which give the supplier remote access to readings and are used on larger gas sites.
Half-hourly settlement, and the market-wide programme described below, apply to electricity only. Gas sites using more than 732 MWh a year are treated as larger non-domestic sites, which suppliers must supply through an advanced meter unless they cannot install one despite taking all reasonable steps.
Which meter rules apply to your site
The meter you have is not entirely a matter of choice. Government guidance on supplier obligations, and Ofgem's smart metering licence guide, split business premises into two groups:
| Group | Electricity | Gas | Meter rules for the supplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smaller business premises (the smart meter mandate) | Profile classes 1 to 4 on the MPAN | Under 732 MWh a year | Suppliers must take all reasonable steps to install a smart meter when a meter is fitted for the first time or replaced. Microbusinesses must be offered a smart (SMETS) meter; other businesses in this group may be offered a choice of smart or advanced meter |
| Larger business premises | Profile classes 5 to 8 and 00 | Over 732 MWh a year | Since 6 April 2014, supplied through an advanced meter unless the supplier cannot install one despite all reasonable steps |
A change is coming for smaller sites. The government confirmed in September 2026 that, from 1 September 2027, when a supplier agrees a new fixed-term contract for these smaller business premises, the contract must include a term that the customer has, or agrees to have, a smart or advanced meter. Suppliers must start telling customers about the change from 1 January 2027. If your contract ends around then, it is worth knowing what meter you have now. See smart meters for business.
On the electricity side, Elexon (which administers the electricity settlement code) made half-hourly settlement mandatory from April 2017 for profile classes 5 to 8, the non-domestic "maximum demand" classes, under a code change known as P272. Sites that have moved show profile class 00 at the start of the MPAN.
The industry is also moving every electricity meter in Great Britain to half-hourly settlement through the market-wide half-hourly settlement (MHHS) programme, led by Elexon under Ofgem. That changes how use is settled behind the scenes. Non-smart meters are part of the migration too, so it does not depend on every small business getting a new meter. Our half-hourly meters page explains where the programme has got to.
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Who installs and maintains business meters
Your supplier is responsible for making sure your supply is metered, but several companies are usually involved:
- The supplier arranges the meter for your supply point, bills you from its readings and is your first contact for meter faults on most smaller sites.
- The meter operator installs and maintains the meter. Elexon describes a meter operator as a company that contracts with either a customer or a supplier to install and maintain meters, and that may also provide the meters.
- Data collectors and data aggregators retrieve, check and process readings so that suppliers can bill accurately and the industry can settle who supplied what.
- The Data Communications Company (DCC) runs the national network that links smart meters with the systems of suppliers and network operators.
- The network operator runs the local wires or pipes that bring energy to your premises and is involved when a new supply or a bigger one is needed.
On most small premises you deal only with the supplier, which arranges the rest. On half-hourly sites the meter operator contract can be a separate agreement, so it is worth knowing who holds it, when it ends and what it covers. Fidelity Energy offers managed meter operator (MOP) contracts for businesses with half-hourly meters, so we can help you get that in order alongside your supply contract.
Business electricity meter installation
A new or replacement meter can be needed for several reasons: new premises, a meter fault, a move to a smart or half-hourly meter, a change of tariff that needs a multi-rate meter, or a bigger supply. What happens depends on the situation:
- No supply yet. The network operator has to connect the premises first, then a meter is fitted and a supply contract starts. See new business electricity and gas connections.
- Existing supply, meter change. The supplier or meter operator arranges the exchange. On smaller sites, suppliers must take all reasonable steps to fit a smart meter whenever a meter is replaced; on larger sites it will be an advanced or half-hourly meter.
- Larger or more complex sites. Moving to half-hourly metering, changing the agreed capacity or adding current transformer metering needs the meter operator, and sometimes the network operator, involved.
Before any meter work, have these ready: the MPAN or MPRN, the current meter serial number, a recent bill, details of access to the meter position, and the name of whoever holds the meter operator contract if your site is half-hourly. If you are moving into premises, record the meter readings on the day you take over; our guide to business energy when moving premises covers the rest.
Installation dates and any charges depend on the supplier or meter operator, the meter type and the site, so we do not quote them here. Fidelity Energy offers smart meter installation for gas and electricity, covering new installations, meter upgrades and moves to half-hourly metering, and coordinates with suppliers and meter operators. We can help you get the request started.
Your supply numbers at a glance
Three numbers come up whenever you deal with business meters. Keep them together with your contract end dates.
| Number | What it identifies | Where to find it | Changes if |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPAN | The electricity supply point (13-digit core plus a top line) | Electricity bill, usually in a box marked 'Supply Number' beginning with 'S' | The core stays with the supply point; the top line can change with the meter or profile class |
| MPRN | The gas supply point | Gas bill, or Xoserve's Find My Supplier service | It stays with the supply point |
| Meter serial number | The physical meter | On the meter and on the bill | The meter is replaced |
If you cannot find a number, Ofgem's guidance is to look on your energy bill or ask your local network operator. Your current supplier can also tell you.
How we can help
Forever Communications acts as an agent introducing businesses to Fidelity Energy, an independent business energy consultancy and broker. We help you work out which meters you have, gather the MPANs, MPRNs, serial numbers and bills, and explain what your meter type means for your tariff options, including what the 2027 smart meter contract rules could mean for your next renewal. Fidelity Energy gets quotes from the suppliers it works with, arranges the supply contract you choose and offers meter operator contracts and smart meter installation. Your supply contract is with the energy supplier.
Fidelity Energy is normally paid by commission from the supplier, shown in your contract's principal terms, and we are paid by Fidelity Energy from that commission. Unresolved complaints about Fidelity Energy's service can go to the Energy Ombudsman, which lists Fidelity Energy on its register of brokers. Read how we work with Fidelity Energy for the detail. If you only want to compare business energy prices, our sister site covers that.
Ask us for a quote. Not sure which meter your premises has, or need one fitted or upgraded? Contact us.
Business meter guides
How Forever Communications helps with business gas and electricity
Forever Communications is part of Forever Group, which looks after phone systems, business mobiles and connectivity for UK organisations. For business electricity and gas, we work as an agent of Fidelity Energy, an independent business energy broker that prices your requirements with the suppliers on its panel. We are not an energy supplier, and neither is Fidelity Energy.
- Make sense of your bills: we can help you read unit rates, standing charges, meter details and the other costs on your invoices
- Like-for-like quotes: we help you gather your meter numbers, consumption and contract end dates so suppliers quote on the same basis
- The right tariff type: we can talk you through fixed, flexible and pass-through contracts, green electricity and green gas options before you decide
- Better timing: we help you plan a renewal ahead of your contract end date, or move off deemed and out-of-contract rates when you move premises
- Your choice: you decide which quote, if any, to accept; prices and terms are set by the suppliers and confirmed at quote, including the broker commission
We work with offices, shops, hospitality, landlords, manufacturers and multi-site organisations. Send us a recent bill and we can take it from there.
Frequently asked questions
What type of electricity meter does my business have?
Check your bill and the first two digits of your full MPAN, the profile class. 00 means half-hourly; 03 is a non-domestic unrestricted supply and 04 a non-domestic Economy 7 supply. Your bill or supplier will also say whether the meter is smart or AMR, and we can help you read it.
Who is responsible for my business electricity meter?
Your supplier is responsible for metering your supply and arranges the meter operator on most smaller sites. On half-hourly sites the meter operator may be contracted by you or by the supplier, so check who holds that contract and what it covers.
How do I get a new business electricity meter installed?
If the premises has no supply, the network operator must connect it first, and your chosen supplier then appoints a meter operator to fit the meter. If there is already a supply, ask the supplier or your meter operator to exchange or upgrade the meter. Have your MPAN, meter serial number and access details ready. We can help you start the request through Fidelity Energy.
Will my business need a smart meter to get a new contract?
For smaller business premises, from 1 September 2027 a new fixed-term contract must include a term that you have, or agree to have, a smart or advanced meter. Larger sites should already have an advanced or half-hourly meter. Suppliers must start explaining the change from 1 January 2027.
Is a business gas meter different from a domestic one?
Smaller business gas meters are similar to home meters and record volume, which is converted to kWh. Larger gas sites, using more than 732 MWh a year, must be supplied through an advanced meter that the supplier can read remotely, unless one cannot be installed.
Can I choose my own meter operator?
It can be possible, mainly on half-hourly sites. Elexon describes a meter operator as contracting with either a customer or a supplier. On smaller sites the supplier normally arranges metering. Fidelity Energy offers managed meter operator contracts for businesses with half-hourly meters.
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