Understanding your meter
Your electricity meter shows how much power your business is using. Read it regularly to help track your energy use and help notice unexpected changes with your bill.
Your meter
Become familiar with your electricity meter to know how and when your business uses power – as well as help reduce energy costs.
Why your meter matters
Electricity meters measure the power consumed at your property, ensuring electricity is distributed efficiently and your electricity bill is accurate.
The transition to smart meters
As part of national reforms, NSW small businesses and homes will transition to smart meters by 2030. This change is crucial to modernising the electricity grid, boosting energy efficiency, and providing customers with greater choice and control over their energy use. While this transition to takes place, we will continue servicing customers with basic meters.
Digital or smart meters
These meters show power usage on a screen and may update in real time. Some also send readings automatically to your retailer. In accordance with national reforms, all NSW small businesses and homes will transition to smart meters by 2030.
Basic or manual (dial) meters
Your electricity meter shows how much power your business is using. Read it regularly to help track your energy use and help notice unexpected changes with your bill.
How smart meters can benefit you
Smart meters play a crucial role in creating a modern, efficient energy network. Discover how upgrading to a smart meter can benefit you.
Going solar
Smart meters are required to install solar panels and batteries. Once installed, you can save by exporting excess solar electricity to the grid via the smart meter.
Faster identification of electricity supply outages
This means repairs happen faster and planned maintenance helps prevent unplanned outages.
Less inconvenience
Smart meters send information digitally to your retailer, so there’s no more providing access to your property for quarterly meter reads.
Flexible pricing and monthly billing options
Smart meters send information digitally to your retailer, so there’s no more providing access to your property for quarterly meter reads.
Track your energy use
Many electricity retailers have online platforms and apps to provide information about your electricity usage. These can help you understand how much electricity you’re using and when. This makes it easier to save money on your bills.
Accurate, transparent and reliable
Smart meters send readings remotely, which means your bill is accurate and not reliant on estimations if the meter can’t be physically accessed. It also provides more detailed information about the electricity you use.
Who is responsible for metering?
Since 2017, you’ve been able to choose your preferred electricity retailer, who’s also responsible for metering your business.
Your retailer is responsible for all aspects of your electricity metering including installation, servicing, maintenance or replacement, as well as upgrading basic or manual meters to smart meters.
If your property currently has a basic or manual meter, you should expect to hear from your retailer about the replacement of your meter.
We recommend speaking with your electricity retailer to learn what’s best for you.
Before installing a smart meter, your electricity retailer will explain what’s changing and give you plenty of notice about any new tariffs.
Useful information before installation
To fast-track the rollout of smart meters, the AEMC has asked distribution networks, including Endeavour Energy, to ensure the rollout is as smooth and cost effective as possible, within our network area.
Once you receive your smart meter, you'll have the option to switch to a time-of-use pricing plan, if it suits your needs. Upgrading to a smart meter does not automatically require you to change your current retail pricing plan.
Retailers are not allowed to switch you to a new pricing plan without your explicit, informed consent for up to two years after your smart meter is installed.
You must ensure your switchboard complies with current safety standards. Occasionally a meter installer may identify the need for additional electrical work, or that a meter board be upgraded before a smart meter can be safely installed.
If your electricity retailer or their smart meter installer finds the need for additional electrical work at your property, they will advise you to contact an electrician or Accredited Service Provider (ASP) to undertake remediation work to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Property owners are responsible for any work needed to ensure safe smart meter installation.
How you can exercise your power of choice
1
Waiting for your electricity retailer to contact you
2
Reaching out to your electricity retailer to request an upgrade to a smart meter
3
Look at what smart metering services are already being offered by retailers
4
Choosing the right retail pricing plan for your home or business
Troubleshooting your smart meter
While smart meters are typically very reliable, some customers have reported:
- Problems with their electric hot water system.
- Inaccurate meter readings.
- Display malfunctions.
Your electricity retailer will arrange prompt repairs or replacement of your smart meter to minimise disruption.
