SEFE ENERGY
A half-hourly electricity meter is a special type of metering system which utilises AMR (automatic meter reading) technology to provide a more accurate electricity reading. The system relies on a fixed line which sends updated meter reads to the energy supplier every half hour.
Because half-hourly meters offer remote, fully-automated reading, there’s no need to read the meter manually, offering greater convenience for businesses and allowing for accurate, up-to-date billing with no need for estimation.
Additionally, businesses can access this consumption data from the supplier. By reviewing exactly when they use electricity throughout the day, it’s possible to work towards operating more efficiently and reducing operational energy use.
For businesses which consume 100 kW of electricity or greater, half-hourly meter reading is compulsory. Other businesses which have a HH electricity demand of 70 kW or above, can opt to have a HH meter installed.
If your business has recently moved to new premises and you would like to find out if the property has a HH or non-HH meter reader, it’s easy to determine which type of reader is installed by referring to a previous energy bill sent by the supplier. The bill will contain an ‘S number’ - if the number in the top left is ‘00’, there is a HH meter installed at the property.
Thanks to the regular meter reads from your property, HH billing is better tailored to your requirements and usage. This is because the consumption data is much more accurate, eliminating the need for estimated billing, which usually occurs when an AMR system isn’t in place.
As of 1 April 2017, all businesses supplied as profile class of 05, 06, 07 or 08 with an advanced meter capable of recording HH consumption data are no longer settled against a Non-Half-Hourly (NHH) read. Instead, they are now settled as Half-Hourly using HH data.
These changes were introduced as part of an Ofgem-backed revision called P272, which requires all of the above profile class meters to switch via a Change of Measurement Class (COMC) to a HH settled meter.
How to read your business gas meter
How to read your business electricity meter
Meter reading & AMR FAQs
We hope the resources and guides above have helped you with everything that relates to half-hourly metering and how it benefits small businesses. If you’re still unsure about anything, you’re in need of more help with your invoices or anything else, then be sure to contact our Customer Services team on 0161 837 3395 – they’re always happy to help, whatever your query may be.
Alternatively, get in touch using our Contact Us page, fill in the forms there and we’ll direct your query to the relevant department.
