If you run a business, you might have heard the term ‘half-hourly meter’ being thrown about. You might have even been told that your business should have one, or that it’s required by industry regulations.
But what exactly is a half-hourly meter, and how essential are they? Read on for our comprehensive guide to all things half-hourly, and get rid of any energy-based anxiety you might be feeling.
What is a half-hourly meter?
A half-hourly (HH) meter is pretty much exactly what it sounds like – a type of electricity meter, used by businesses, that automatically records and sends energy usage data every 30 minutes to the electricity provider.
HH meters provide highly precise and detailed consumption data, which helps suppliers to bill businesses more accurately. More accurate bills, in turn, allow companies to manage their energy usage more effectively.
Who needs a half-hourly meter?
Per industry regulations, HH meters are mandatory for businesses with a peak energy usage of 100kW or more in any half-hour period, and it’s up to the business in question to have a half-hourly meter installed.
These businesses typically operate large sites with high energy demand, like factories, supermarkets, data centres or office complexes, so if you run a small business it’s unlikely you’ll be beholden to this regulation.
However, businesses with a lower peak usage (below 100kW) can still choose to have a half-hourly meter installed, if they’re after more transparency, better usage data and – potentially – better energy deals.
Pros and cons of half-hourly meters
So, assuming you’re not required to have one, what are the benefits of choosing to install a half-hourly meter? Let’s take a look.
Pros
- More accurate billing – With usage data being captured and sent to the provider every 30 minutes, there’s no need for estimates. Your supplier knows exactly how much energy you’re using, and will charge you accordingly.
- Better energy management – With more accurate data, you’ll get much better insight into your business’s energy usage, and will be able to manage your energy consumption more effectively.
- Better energy deals – Depending on your supplier, you may be able to access bespoke tariffs and contracts.
Cons
- Longer-term contracts – Depending on the supplier, HH meters can often be tied to longer-term contracts, meaning it’ll be more difficult to switch providers if you’re unhappy.
- Extra charges – Again, depending on the supplier, you may be subject to extra metering or data handling charges, to cover the additional processing involved in gathering usage data so often.
- Usually requires Data Collectors and Aggregators – These people are responsible for (remotely) collecting and processing your usage data every half-hour. They are usually appointed by the energy supplier, and you likely won’t have to deal with them directly, but you will have to pay for their services.
How to get a half-hourly meter (or know if you’ve already got one)
If you need a half-hourly meter – or have decided that your business could benefit from one – give your supplier a call to discuss your options. They’ll be able to let you know if your site qualifies for a HH meter, possibly following a site survey, and will be able to arrange installation and appointment of a Data Collector and Aggregator.
Unsure if your business already has one? Just have a look at your MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number).
This is a unique number used to identify your electricity supply point, and can be found on your electricity bills. An MPAN is 21 digits long, and might be listed under a name like ‘Supply Number’ or ‘S Number’.
If the first two digits are ‘00’, then you have a half-hourly meter.
