Half Hourly Electricity Meters

If you run a large business, half hourly metering is something you should be familiar with. Since the P272 legislation, all business energy suppliers are required to use half hourly metering to monitor businesses using the Profile Classes 05-08, typically known as Maximum Demand. Here at SwitchMyBusiness.com, we are answering questions you may have about half hourly meters and how they work.

What is a Half Hourly Meter?

A half hourly meter is an energy meter that monitors the amount of electricity used by a business within a half-hour period. An Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) function is usually installed in these meters, and this is what makes the energy reading and sends the data to business electricity suppliers to provide an accurate insight into their customers’ usages.

What are the benefits of a half hourly meter?

As half hourly meter readings are taken so frequently and are automatically sent to energy suppliers, they make electricity bills very accurate. Business electricity suppliers no longer need to estimate what they should be charging customers, they can now accurately calculate how much electricity has been used and how much the business needs to be billed.

The accuracy gained from half hourly meters also allows businesses to identify any energy efficiency issues, and monitor the impact of any efficiency measures in place at your business.

Does my business need a half hourly meter?

Businesses with a peak electricity loads of 100kW or more in a half hour period are required to use half hourly meters to monitor their electricity usage. If your business electricity peak load is 70kw, you have the option to use a half hourly meter to monitor your electricity, but there is no requirement to do so.

How do I know if I have a half hourly meter installed?

To see if you have a half hourly meter installed, simply check the Supply Number on the most recent electricity bill for your business premises. If the number begins with ‘00’, a half hourly meter is installed on your property and monitoring your business electricity.