Meters and readings
Can you refuse a smart meter?
Whether you can say no to a smart meter, what changes when an old meter must be replaced, and what you give up without one.
Edited by Rob Gibbs. Published: . Guidance reviewed: .
Short answer
A smart meter is offered free, and in most cases you can say no to a routine upgrade. It is different when your old meter has to be replaced, for example because it is faulty or past its working life, or because it is a radio teleswitch meter whose support has ended. Without a smart meter you cannot use smart tariffs such as Agile, Go, Intelligent Go or Cosy.
Routine upgrades
Suppliers offer smart meters free of charge. If your current meter works, you can usually decline. You will then need to send readings yourself, and bills between readings are estimated.
When a replacement is needed
Old, faulty and obsolete meters have to be replaced, and the replacement is normally a smart meter. Ofgem says support for radio teleswitch (RTS) meters has ended and that people who still have one should arrange a smart meter.
What you give up
Without a working smart meter:
- No Agile, Go, Intelligent Go, Cosy, Tracker or export tariffs.
- Estimated bills unless you send regular readings.
- No half-hourly data for checking bills or comparing tariffs.
Questions people ask
Do I have to pay for a smart meter?
No. Ofgem says suppliers install them for free.
Can I switch a smart meter to work as a dumb meter?
A smart meter can be left uncommunicating, but you lose smart tariffs and need to send readings. Ask your supplier before deciding.
Tariffs in this guide
Related guides
- How to submit a meter reading to Octopus EnergyWhere to send an Octopus meter reading, how often to do it, how to read each type of meter and what to do when a reading looks wrong.
- Economy 7 or single rate: which is cheaper?When Economy 7 beats a single-rate tariff, the night share that decides it, and how to check with today’s Octopus rates for your region.
- Understanding your Octopus Energy billWhat each part of an Octopus bill means: unit rates, standing charges, estimated and actual readings, VAT and your account balance.
- What happens to your smart meter when you switch to OctopusWhether your smart meter keeps working when you switch to Octopus, why some older meters go dumb, and what to do about it.
- How to see and download your smart meter dataWhere to find your half-hourly smart meter data from Octopus: in the app, through the free API, and with this site’s private usage tools.
- EV and heat pump: Cosy or Intelligent Go?How to choose between Cosy Octopus and Intelligent Octopus Go when your home has both an electric car and a heat pump.
Primary sources
- Get help with your smart meter — Ofgem; checked 2026-10-30. Smart meter benefits, free installation, the end of RTS meter support and what to do if a meter stops working.