Smart metering helps us clearly understand how energy is used in a building by providing accurate, real-time data on systems like heating, cooling, lighting, and equipment. Without reliable data, it is hard to see where energy is being wasted or whether efficiency improvements are actually working.
Accurate information allows building managers to spot problems, compare performance over time, and make better decisions to reduce energy use and costs.
Smart Metering also supports rating systems such as NABERS and BREEAM. NABERS measures a building’s real energy use and gives it a rating based on performance. BREEAM looks at overall sustainability and rewards buildings that use energy monitoring and sub-metering to manage performance effectively. By using smart metering and recognised standards, buildings can improve efficiency and reduce their environmental impact.
Our Services Include
Meter validation
Meter validation is the process of testing, verifying, and confirming that a meter is measuring data accurately and consistently according to defined standards.
Full energy monitoring Installations
Our Full Energy Monitoring Installation service provides a complete, end-to-end solution for tracking and managing your energy usage in real time.
Creation of energy dashboards
Our Energy Dashboard Creation service transforms complex energy data into clear, interactive, and easy-to-understand visual insights.
Creation of energy reports
Our Energy Report Creation service provides detailed, accurate, and easy-to-understand reports on your energy consumption and performance.
Tenant billing
Our Tenant Billing service ensures accurate and transparent allocation of energy and utility costs across multiple tenants.
Environmental, Social Governance
eco-i provides practical Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and sustainability advisory services, helping organisations reduce costs, improve asset performance, and meet evolving legislative and reporting requirements. Services include ESG strategy, energy and carbon reduction, energy surveys, renewable energy feasibility studies, ESG due diligence, sustainability reporting. We support frameworks including ESOS, CSRD, SECR, MEES, SBTi, EcoVadis
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is metering important?
Meters accurately measure electricity, gas, and water usage, allowing occupants and building managers to monitor consumption, reduce waste, lower utility costs, and improve energy efficiency. Meters also support fair billing, help meet legal and environmental regulations, and contribute to sustainability goals by encouraging responsible use of resources and reducing carbon emissions.
What type of meters are available?
In the UK, utility meters are used to measure the consumption of electricity, gas, water, and thermal energy (heating and cooling). In addition to supporting accurate billing, meters provide valuable insight into where energy and utilities are being used within a building. By monitoring consumption at a building, floor, tenant, system, or equipment level, property owners and occupiers can identify inefficiencies, reduce waste, improve operational performance, and make informed decisions about energy management and sustainability initiatives.
Any meter used for billing should meet UK regulatory standards, with MID-approved meters providing assurance that readings are accurate, reliable, and suitable for charging customers.
Can I retrofit a meter?
Yes, Electricity, gas, water, and thermal energy meters can all be retrofitted into existing buildings, providing accurate consumption data for billing, energy monitoring, cost allocation, and sustainability reporting. Depending on the application, meters can be installed using a range of technologies, including non-invasive solutions such as power tags for electrical circuits and clamp-on ultrasonic meters for water, heating, and cooling systems, helping to minimise disruption and reduce installation costs.
How accurate are my meters?
As meters age, their accuracy can deteriorate, leading to unreliable consumption data and potential billing discrepancies. In addition, monitoring systems that rely on pulse outputs can occasionally miss signals due to communication issues, resulting in incomplete or inaccurate reporting. To minimise these risks, we recommend using meters with native communication protocols such as M-Bus or Modbus, which provide continuous, real-time data transmission directly from the meter, improving accuracy, reliability, and data integrity.
How often should meters be checked?
There is no single legal requirement in the UK to check all utility meters at a specific interval, but industry best practice depends on the purpose of the meter. We suggest the meters are checked annually as part of a maintenance regime.
To maintain confidence in energy and utility data, meters should be validated against expected consumption patterns. For NABERS UK assessments, it is considered best practice to verify meter accuracy at least every 5 years. Older meters should be assessed more frequently, as accuracy can deteriorate with age.
What is meter validation?
Meter validation is the process of verifying the accuracy of a meter by comparing its measurements against a calibrated reference instrument; for electricity meters this may involve using a calibrated clamp-on meter or portable test equipment, while for water and heat/flow meters it can be carried out using a calibrated non-intrusive flow meter, to confirm that the meter is operating within the required accuracy tolerances.