Set up a new meter for your business energy

It’s always exhilarating to move into a new business location. Nonetheless, you’ll have to install meters to take note of your energy consumption once you’ve established a new gas and electricity connection.

We collaborate with a number of UK vendors and meter operators to ensure that your new property’s meters are fitted fast and effectively. Even better, we help you money by negotiating the finest deals.

Order for your brand new energy meter today

With Switch Squid, it’s as simple as A, B, C to initiate your meter installation process. We only require your address and a little information about your company. Then, our team of experts will contact you to talk about your new connection.

It does not matter where your business is operating from. As long as you choose the right commercial energy meter, you will save a lot of money on your bills.

You’ll receive the following benefits when you use our meter installation service:

• Energy meter installation at no cost.
• Account managers who are solely focused on you
• Installations can be done in only two weeks.
• A comprehensive range of business electricity and gas meters.

What is the procedure for setting up a meter?

At Switch Squid, our aim is to ease the installation process of your new business energy meter. Throughout the process, one of our dedicated account managers will be at your service. They’ll advise you on the best meter type for your company and respond to any questions you may have about the process.

Our goal is to complete the installation of your meter within 3 easy steps:

The process of installing meters

1. Ask for a new electricity or gas meter for your business

As soon as you provide a few details about your company and contact information, the process begins. Our contacts team will get back to you in no time.

2. We’ll talk about your needs

Our relationships team will contact you to discuss your specific needs. Our professionals can help you choose the best meter for your company’s energy consumption.

We’ll also be able to advise your company on any site improvements that may be required. You’ll need a quote from the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) and the gas DNO if you’re establishing a new connection. This is something that our dedicated team can assist you with.

3. Setting up your new commercial energy meter

We’ll arrange for the installation of your new meter and advise you on the timelines. Your meter installation could take as short as two weeks with Switch Squid.

Meter installations for businesses with higher energy are usually more complicated and time-consuming. Your account manager will keep you informed about the progress of your meter installation.

Is it necessary for me to get a new gas and electricity meter for my business?

If you’re relocating to a place where the previous occupants were in a different industry or operated at a different period, installing new electricity meters may be beneficial. However, a gas meter may also be required.

Audit your energy consumption, as it will help you to see the areas where your company is misusing energy. Through this process, you’ll be able to find solutions that lower your electricity expenses while fueling your CSR efforts by minimizing your carbon footprint.

Your power supplier will just estimate your consumption if you don’t take regular meter readings, so choosing the right business energy meter is essential. You’re likely to be overcharged if you don’t have these readings, and suing the supplier for a refund can take a long time.

If your property does not have a supply line already set up, your gas or electricity must be installed not less than one month before the completion of your gas or electricity connection.

Installing meters can take up to two weeks. If there isn’t one already in place, a new line can take up to three months to install.

What kind of meter do I require?

There is no one-size-fits-all energy meter. The meter installation for your new property will be determined by criteria such as the company’s size and working hours.

Depending on your consumption requirements, your chosen supplier will offer you one of the following types of meters.

Standard Meters

If your business uses a standard, single-rate meter, your consumption will be charged at a flat rate. For organizations that use the majority of their energy during peak hours, this is most certainly the best solution.

Most standard meters require manual submission of your meter readings to your energy provider.

Multi-Rate Meters

Another name for this type of meter is the two-rate meter. This meter type charges different rates at different times of the day. During peak hours, you’ll pay one rate, and during off-peak hours, you’ll pay a lower rate.

Economy 7 and 10 meters are the most prevalent multi-rate meters in use. Economy 7 meters provide a lower rate for a 7-hour window, while Economy 10 meters provide a lower rate for a 10-hour window. A three-rate meter is also another option for businesses. A day rate, an evening and weekend rate, and a night rate are all available.

Businesses that use the majority of their energy outside of peak hours usually install multi-rate meters.

Smart Meters

Smart meters are intended to provide far more reliable readings of gas and electricity. Your meter readings are automatically forwarded to your supplier, so you won’t have to worry about billing estimates. This means you will only be charged for the energy you use.

In most cases, smart meters are installed for free because your energy provider pays for the installation.

Half-Hourly Meters

If your business consumes a minimum of 100,000 kWh of electricity per year, it’s a must to install a half-hourly meter at your premises. You can choose to install a half-hourly meter if your business uses more than 70,000 kWh of electricity annually.

By providing automatic meter readings to your supplier every half hour, half-hourly meters give the most accurate invoicing available. They can also provide detailed consumption information to organizations looking to analyze and reduce their energy consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions about Business Energy Meters

What information do I need to prepare for the installation of a business meter?

Your MPAN and MPRN are required for setting up a new commercial energy meter. You must contact your DNO and gas DNO in case you do not have a connection at your location. The DNO will establish the energy link and provide you with your MPAN and MPRN.

Switch Squid’s experts can help you set up a new connection at your place of business.

What is the difference between MPAN and MPRN?

MPAN is a short form for Meter Point Administration Number. It’s a distinctive number assigned to your electric meter. Energy companies will use this number to calculate your electricity rates.

MPRN is an abbreviation for Meter Point Reference Number. This number uniquely identifies the gas meter at your premises.

Is it necessary to hire a Meter Operator (MOP) and a Data Collector (DC)?

You are legally required to appoint a meter operator and data collector if you have a half-hourly electricity meter. Your MOP contract will include meter maintenance, fault repair, and the necessary telecommunication infrastructure to send your usage data to your selected supplier.

At Switch Squid, we collaborate with one of the UK’s top energy data management companies to find a MOP contract at a far cheaper cost than your current provider. Therefore, we can get a MOP for you.

What if my company has multiple locations?

Companies with multiple locations usually have several meters with varying contracts and different contract end dates. This can make keeping track of your company’s energy bills challenging.

Changing to a multi-site energy contract could help your company save time and money. Here, all of your energy tariffs and renewal dates will be combined into a single plan. You may also profit from increased negotiation power, which may allow you to take advantage of cost-saving energy deals.

If you have multiple locations, please inform our connection professionals at the time of ordering a new meter. They can help you decide whether or not you should switch to a multi-site energy plan.