The accurate quantity of gas and electricity business uses are measured using energy meters when using georgia gas. The type of meter can protect the business owner from any extra charges and incorrect billing.
Every business is assigned a unique Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN – electricity meter number) and the Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN – gas meter number). These two are required by the energy supplier when shifting or getting energy quotes. Remember, you have the power to choose energy plans.
Different Types of Business Energy Meters
The type of meter is related to the business type and operating hours, but the following are the most common ones.
Single Rate Meter
This meter uses a flat, single rate for consumption regardless of the working hours. This is also known as the standard meter, and it suits all businesses that operate during standard working hours. The supply number for the standard meter starts with 03.
There is a maximum demand meter as well that can be used by businesses that have high consumption.
Two Rate Meter
As the name indicates, this energy meter has two rates. These rates depend on the usage time. The high rates apply for energy consumption during peak times, and lower rates are for peak-off hours.
The most common two rate meters are Economy 7 and Economy 10. The business will get cheap rates for 7 and 10 hours.
Another version of the two rate meter is the evening and weekend meter. This one uses lower rates during the evening and weekends, so the rates change by the hour and day.
Three Rate Meter
This is an evening, weekend, and night meter. This meter uses the highest rates for daytime electricity consumption, so it suits the energy consumption of businesses that operate at night or on weekends.
Half-hourly Meter
This type of meter submits the usage readings to the energy supplier every 30 minutes. This is mostly suitable for large businesses (the demand is higher than 100 kW). The supply number for the half-hourly meter begins with 00.
Seasonal Time of Day Meter
This complex meter has varying rates based on the time of the day and month of the year.
Multi-site Meter
This meter is suitable for businesses that operate from multiple locations. It can easily track the energy consumption of all locations.
Smart Meter
This is an automatic meter that records and sends the readings to the supplier at fixed intervals. These meters can also give consumption reports to the business owner, which plays a huge role in reducing and regulating consumption.
Benefits of Smart Meters
Some of the important benefits of smart meters are highlighted below.
- Accurate readings mean an accurate bill. This speeds up the billing process because business owners and energy suppliers are sure about the exact consumption.
- The data by smart meters can raise awareness about energy consumption which encourages business owners to reduce the wastage of resources.
- The insights by these meters about energy can assist suppliers and governments in making informed decisions.
- Using smart meters makes it easier to introduce smart grids.
Smart meters are gaining popularity because they are one of the most advanced versions of energy meters. They collect the meter reading and share the data with the supplier remotely. The consumer or the supplier does not have to take any manual readings.