Electricity Meters & Smart Metering

What Is A Smart Electricity Meter?

Smart meters have been around since the early 2000s and were introduced to simplify energy billing.

A smart electricity meter is a digital device that records how much electricity your home or business uses. This information is then shared with your energy provider. Unlike old analogue meters that rely on spinning dials and manual readings, smart digital meters automatically collect and transmit this data in 5 to 30 minute intervals.

This way, your meter provider can read the data remotely instead of visiting your home, eliminating estimated bills and manual meter reads.

As Australia’s electricity network continues to grow and evolve, smart meters are becoming the new standard for residential and commercial properties in Sydney.

Why Are Smart Meters Replacing Analogue Electricity Meters?

While both types of meters measure your home’s electricity usage, the technology behind them is very different.

Analogue meters use mechanical parts and components to record your total electricity consumption. These meters need to be read manually and provide very little information beyond the total amount of energy you’ve used.

Smart meters, on the other hand, use digital technology to constantly measure the electricity. They accurately measure the electricity entering and leaving your property. They also automatically communicate with your energy retailer, making billing more accurate and easier.

When Do You Need A Smart Meter Installation?

Many homes and small businesses already have a smart meter installed, especially if you have solar panels or your house was built after 2017. The aim is for everyone in New South Wales and Australia to have a smart meter installed by 2030 at no extra cost. If you want a new smart meter installed, you’ll have to call up your energy retailer first to check and then, once you get the green light, give us a call.

But apart from the national rollout, when do you need to get a smart meter installed by a licensed professional electrician?

Replacing An Old Electricity Meter

If your home still has an old meter, it might not be able to handle the amount of electricity your house is using. Analogue electricity meters are gradually being phased out as part of Australia’s smart meter rollout. Replacing it with a smart meter safeguards your property for future upgrades and improves billing accuracy, helping you to save money along the way.

Old meters can also become less reliable over time due to wear and tear, weather exposure and aging internal parts.

Installing Solar Panels

If you're installing a rooftop solar system, you'll usually need a compatible smart meter that can accurately measure both the electricity you import from the grid and the excess electricity you export back to the network. 

Upgrading To Three-Phase Power

Three-phase power upgrades often require new metering equipment to suit your property's increased electrical capacity and extra appliances like ducted air conditioning. Replacing the electricity meter is commonly completed at the same time as the upgrade. 

Building A New Home and New Connections

Every new home needs electricity metering before being connected to the main electricity grid. During the construction process, your electricity retailer will coordinate with our Level 2 electricians to ensure your home’s electricity is ready to go before you move in.

Upgrade Your Switchboard or Consumer Mains

Older switchboards and electricity meters often go hand in hand. If you're replacing your switchboard or upgrading your consumer mains, it may also be the ideal time to upgrade your electricity meter. 

In many cases, completing these upgrades at the same time is the most efficient and cost-effective solution.

Your Meter Has Been Damaged

Like any piece of electrical equipment, electricity meters can become damaged through age, weather exposure, corrosion or accidental impact. If your meter enclosure is cracked, allowing moisture inside, or has been affected by fire or storm damage, it should be inspected by one of our authorised Level 2 electricians.

Can You Upgrade An Existing Electricity Meter?

In many cases, yes.

Many older electricity meters can be replaced with digital smart meters. The meter upgrade process depends on your property’s electrical installation, but in most cases, it's relatively simple and takes about an hour to complete.

Before carrying out any work, our Level 2 electricians inspect your existing electrical system to see if there are any problems or if any additional upgrades need to be done.

If your switchboard, consumer mains or power supply needs upgrading or repairing, we will happily provide you with an upfront quote and explain your options before we touch the tools.

What Happens During A Smart Meter Installation

Many homeowners are pleased to find out how quick and straightforward a smart meter installation is.

While every home and business is different, the process of installing a smart meter usually follows these steps:

Inspecting Your Existing Electrical System

Our qualified and licensed Level 2 electricians begin by inspecting your existing electricity meter, switchboard and consumer mains. This lets us confirm your current electrical setup and identify any additional work that may be required.

Safely Disconnecting Your Electricity Supply

Since your electricity meter is connected directly to the electricity network, the power supply must be safely isolated and turned off for us to work safely.

Your electricity will be shut down temporarily while the old meter is removed and the new smart meter is installed.

Installing Your New Smart Meter

Your old analogue meter is carefully removed and replaced with a new digital smart electricity meter that's compatible with your property's electrical supply and your electricity retailer's requirements and needs.

Testing The Installation

Before reconnecting your electricity supply, our electricians thoroughly test the new meter and all associated electrical equipment to make sure everything is operating safely and correctly.

Restoring Your Power

Once testing is complete, your electricity supply is restored and your new smart meter is ready to begin recording your electricity usage.

Can A Smart Meter Save You Money?

This is a common question we get from homeowners, and it’s also a big misconception about smart meters. Many people assume that installing one will automatically reduce your energy bill. 

This isn’t the case.

A smart meter doesn’t reduce the amount of electricity you’re using; it simply measures it more accurately. However, it does help you better understand your home’s energy consumption so you can tweak it and plan for the future.

Why Are Sydney Homes Upgrading Their Electricity Meters?

Instead of powering lights and a few household appliances, modern Sydney homes now have high-powered appliances like: 

• Electric vehicle chargers
• Induction cooktops
• Large ducted air conditioning systems
• Heat pump hot water systems
• Rooftop solar panels
• Home offices
• Smart home automation

As electrical demand continues to grow, many homeowners are choosing to modernise their electrical systems by upgrading their switchboards, consumer mains and electricity meters.

Whether you're renovating, electrifying your home or simply replacing ageing electrical equipment, upgrading your electricity meter is an investment in your property's long-term safety, efficiency and reliability.

Why Do Smart Meter Installations Need A Level 2 Electrician?

Unlike replacing a flickering light or installing a power point, smart meter installations involve working on high-voltage electrical equipment that directly connects your home to the main grid.

For safety reasons, this type of work should only ever be carried out by a qualified Level 2 electrician. If you attempt to install your smart meter by yourself or get an unqualified electrician to do it, you could cop some serious fines and even get into legal trouble.

At Pro Electrical, our Level 2 electricians are fully qualified, licensed and insured to safely disconnect and reconnect your property’s electricity supply while carrying out smart metering work.

During the smart meter installation process, our Level 2 electricians may also be required for:

• Smart meter installations
• Electricity meter upgrades
• Defect notice rectifications
• Consumer mains upgrades
• Switchboard upgrades
• Three-phase power upgrades
• New electrical connections
• Temporary power disconnections and reconnections

Choosing an authorised Level 2 electrician ensures your electricity meter installation is completed safely, legally and with minimal disruption to your home or business.

I’m Renting. Can I Have A Smart Meter Installed?

If you are renting, you would have to go through your landlord to get permission for a smart meter installation.

If you’re interested in new or replacement meters, it’s best to speak to your landlord first and then, once approved, arrange an inspection with our Level 2 electricians on 1300 375 048 or fill out our online booking form today.

What Are The Benefits of Smart Meters?

Smart meters are the future. Installing a smart meter brings a wide range of benefits including:

• More Accurate Electricity Bills
• Better Visibility of Your Energy Usage And Electricity Usage Peaks
• Supports Solar and Battery Systems
• Protects Your Home For Future Upgrades
• No More Manual Meter Reading

Ready To Save Money on Your Next Power Bill?

Nationwide, smart meters are becoming the norm and will be in all homes by 2030. Get ahead of the curve with our advanced meter installation services. Wherever you live in Sydney, our Level 2 electricians are here to help you understand the importance of meter data and the role that smart meters have on your next energy bill.

For more information and a comprehensive free quote and inspection, call our Level 2 electricians on 1300 375 048 or fill out our online booking form today.