Smart meters are being installed across the UK to automatically record energy usage. While smart meters provide usage readings to suppliers, they only provide value to customers if the data is accessible through software. Smart meters offer benefits like accurate billing without estimates, detailed usage reports to detect waste, consumption alarms, and multi-site reporting. Customers can choose to purchase smart meters outright or lease them for an annual fee, with leasing being the preferred option for most. The installation process involves gathering site details, signing contracts, and a typical 6-8 week installation timeframe. Once installed, customers get login details to access reports and manage their energy consumption online.

1. SMART METERING
in association with Stark

2. • Automated or Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) is being rolled out across commercial and
domestic electricity and gas meters and the aim is for all meters to be converted by 2020.
The term “Smart Meter” is often used instead of “AMR” but a meter is only “smart” if the
information it gathers is then interpreted and made accessible to the customer via user
friendly software, rather than simply providing meter readings to the supplier.
• There is a small annual cost for this service but the ability to receive e-mail alerts when pre-
determined consumption levels are exceeded or perhaps to accurately allocate costs for
subsequent recovery, might easily exceed the small investment required.
Smart Meter or AMR?

3. Benefits of a Smart meter
 Your utility supplier will receive actual consumption data so no more
estimated accounts.
 Find out where, when and how much energy your organisation is
consuming.
 Provision of a variety of comparative reports to detect and eliminate
energy waste.
 Easily create budgets and targets for each site and provide multi-site
energy reports to monitor relative performance.
 Set threshold alarms when consumption targets are exceeded.
 Ability to provide public display options.
 Report to desktop, tablet or smartphone.
 A future proof system. As an independent, Stark guarantees continuity
of data whichever supplier you might choose in the future.

4. Purchase or Lease?
For either option there is an annual service fee which covers access
to the software and maintenance of the meter.
Whilst the majority of clients favour the leasing option, some may
wish to purchase their meters.
Over a five year term the cost to lease a non-half hourly electricity
meter would be £ 18.75p per month and for a gas meter £ 20.42p
per month.

5. What happens next?
Once the decision has been made to install smart metering and the choice
between purchase and lease options taken, ESS will gather meter and site
information and forward the formal contract for signature to the client.
A letter of authority will also be required to authorise Stark to exchange your
meter and gather data on your behalf. Stark will then liaise directly with the site
contacts to arrange installation at the most appropriate time. There is a small
charge for “out of hours” installations or if any special works are required.
Typical installation takes for 6-8 weeks depending on supplier.

6. Once your installation is completed you will be provided with log in details and you will
then have full management control over your consumption.
Log in through the ESS website as follows:

7. ESS (Utility Consultants) Ltd –Home Page – Click on “Smart Metering”

8. Log in using the user name and password provided

9. ..or ESS clients may log in through their Client portal home page

10. Choose your meter ….and type of report
...and run

11. …and view your report …set thresholds etc.

12. Not yet an ESS client?
The Smart metering Service is available to any commercial consumer of
energy whether an ESS client or not. We would of course hope that you
will also consider engaging ESS to ensure that supplier contracts are
secured at the most competitive rate.
Our approach is transparent and without risk to the client. Without a
reduction in costs that otherwise would have been incurred there is no
fee. Not being reliant on supplier commissions you can be sure we will
tender your supplies widely to take advantage of the growing energy
market.
In a brief exploratory meeting you will quickly establish if ESS provides
the right fit to complement your existing activity. Contact ESS

13. Helping our clients pay less for electricity and gas for 15 years