Business Electricity Meter Installation
Need an electricity meter fitted, upgraded or connected for the first time? E for Energy manages business electricity meter installation for new premises, fit outs, capacity upgrades and meter replacements across the UK. We coordinate the supplier, the Meter Operator and the Distribution Network Operator, keep the application moving and make sure your supply goes live on a competitive contract rather than deemed rates.
From a single smart meter for a shop or salon to CT and half hourly metering on a factory, hotel or new development, we handle the paperwork and the chasing so your site opens with power on the day you planned.
- Save 10 to 20% on average
- No obligation, no fees to you
- Quotes typically within 24 hours
Get your free quote
Tell us a little about your business and we will compare the market for you.
Get your free quote
Four quick questions. No obligation, no cost to you.
Thank you, your request is with us.
One of our procurement specialists will be in touch shortly with the options worth looking at. If it is urgent, call 0115 902 9431.
Electricity Meter Services We Manage
New Electricity Connections
Supplies for new builds, extensions and premises that have never had power. We obtain quotes from the network operator and independent connection providers, then manage the MPAN, survey and installation dates.
Meter Upgrades and Capacity Increases
New kitchens, machinery, EV chargers and air conditioning often outgrow the existing supply. We confirm the load, arrange the upgrade from single phase through to three phase and CT metering, and line up the contract.
Smart and Half Hourly Meters
Replacing old or faulty meters and fitting smart, AMR or half hourly meters, so you get accurate bills instead of estimates and data you can act on.
Supply and MOP Contracts
A supplier must be registered before a meter can be fitted. We compare the market through our electricity procurement service and arrange the meter operator contract half hourly sites need.
Who Installs a Business Electricity Meter?
Most businesses assume their supplier fits the meter. In practice the work is split between several parties, and each can only start once the previous step is complete:
- Your energy supplier registers the supply in your name and appoints the companies that look after the meter.
- The Meter Operator (MOP) installs, maintains and replaces the meter. Half hourly sites hold a separate meter operator contract.
- The Distribution Network Operator (DNO) owns the cable into your building and the cut out that the meter connects to. If there is no supply yet, or the existing one is too small, the DNO or an Independent Connection Provider carries out that work first.
- Your electrician is responsible for everything on your side of the meter, including the main switch and distribution board.
The meter cannot be fitted until there is a live supply with an MPAN, and the supplier cannot book the MOP until a contract is in place. That is where most delays start, and it is the part we manage for you.
Which Electricity Meter Does Your Business Need?
The right meter depends mainly on how much electricity the site uses and how large the supply is.
Smart meters
Standard for most small and medium sized businesses. Readings go to the supplier automatically, which ends estimated bills and gives clearer data on when and where you use power.
Whole current meters
All of the electricity passes directly through the meter. Normal for shops, offices, salons, takeaways and other sites with a single phase or smaller three phase supply.
CT meters
Current transformers measure a scaled down signal on larger supplies. Common in factories, larger retail units, hotels, schools and multi tenant buildings. Installation usually needs a short isolation of the supply.
Half hourly meters
Consumption is recorded every 30 minutes on high demand sites. Pricing is more accurate and waste is easier to spot, but a separate MOP and data collection agreement is required.
If you are unsure which category you fall into, your current bill, the size of your main fuse and your expected annual usage will usually answer the question. Send us a recent bill and we will confirm it for you.
How Long Does Electricity Meter Installation Take?
Timescales depend almost entirely on what already exists at the site:
- Replacing or upgrading a meter on an existing live supply: often a few weeks from the contract being agreed, depending on engineer availability in your area.
- A meter on a new supply the DNO has already connected: usually several weeks, as the MPAN must be issued and registered before the meter can be booked.
- A brand new connection or a capacity increase: anything from a couple of months to considerably longer, as the DNO must quote, you must accept, and any network or street works need to be planned and permitted.
The most common causes of delay are applying too late, missing paperwork, an unsuitable meter position and waiting for the supply contract to go live. Starting early, ideally before any fit out work begins, is the single most effective way to avoid a site opening without power. If you need power on site before the permanent supply is ready, we can also arrange temporary meters.
How Much Does Business Electricity Meter Installation Cost?
There is no single price, because the work involved varies so much from site to site. As a general guide:
- Standard and smart meters on an existing supply are often installed at no upfront cost as part of a supply contract, with the cost recovered through your standing charge.
- CT and half hourly meters usually involve a MOP contract with an annual fee, and sometimes an installation or commissioning charge.
- New connections and supply upgrades are the largest variable. The DNO quote reflects cable length, the capacity required, any substation work and the cost of digging in the road. Simple connections can cost a few thousand pounds, while larger or more complex jobs can run far higher.
Always ask what is included. Some quotes cover the meter but not the cut out, trenching, reinstatement or your own electrical work. We compare DNO and independent connection provider quotes so you can see both cost and lead time before you commit, and our service costs you nothing: we are paid by the supplier when your contract goes live.
How We Manage Your Electricity Meter Installation
- Confirm the supply. We check whether the building already has a live connection and an MPAN. If not, we apply for a new connection or capacity increase and compare the quotes.
- Agree a supply contract. We compare business electricity prices from 40+ suppliers so the new supply starts on a competitive rate, never deemed rates.
- Appoint the MOP. For half hourly and CT metered sites we put the MOP contract and data collector in place at the same time.
- Site readiness. We confirm the meter position, cut out and your electrician's work are ready before the engineer is booked, so the visit is not wasted.
- Installation and energisation. The MOP engineer fits and commissions the meter, the supply is switched on and the meter is registered to the MPAN. We check the first bill against the contract.
We work with construction companies, developers, schools, manufacturers, hotels and retailers opening, expanding or refurbishing premises anywhere in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays for a business electricity meter installation?
On an existing supply, the supplier and MOP usually cover the meter and recover the cost through standing charges or a MOP fee. New connections and supply upgrades are normally paid for by the business, based on a quote from the network operator.
How long does it take to get an electricity meter installed for a business?
A meter on an existing live supply typically takes a few weeks once a contract is agreed. If the site needs a new connection or a larger supply, the network work comes first and the overall timescale can run to several months.
Do I need a supply contract before a meter can be fitted?
Yes. A supplier must be registered against the MPAN before it can appoint a Meter Operator and book the installation. We arrange the contract and the meter together.
What is the difference between a CT meter and a whole current meter?
A whole current meter measures all of the electricity passing directly through it and suits smaller supplies. A CT meter uses current transformers to measure larger supplies and is common in bigger commercial and industrial premises.
Can I keep trading while a meter is replaced?
Usually yes. A like for like meter exchange normally needs only a short power interruption, and CT meter work can often be scheduled outside your busiest hours.
Do you charge for arranging the installation?
No. Our service is free to you. We are paid a commission by the supplier when your electricity contract goes live, and we tell you what that is.
Can you arrange a gas meter at the same time?
Yes. We manage commercial gas meter installation and new gas connections alongside electricity, so one point of contact covers both supplies.
Three steps to a better energy deal
Share your details
Tell us about your business, your current contract and when it ends. A recent bill is all we need to get started.
We compare the market
We gather live pricing from our panel of trusted UK suppliers and negotiate terms on your behalf, typically within 24 hours.
You choose, we switch you
Pick the deal that works for you. We manage the entire switch with no disruption to your supply, and remind you before renewal.
Comparing rates from trusted UK suppliers
Start saving on your business energy
Fill out the form and one of our procurement specialists will be in touch with a free, no-obligation comparison.
Prefer to talk? Call 0115 902 9431 or email admin@eforenergy.co.uk.
Get your free quote
Four quick questions. No obligation, no cost to you.
Thank you, your request is with us.
One of our procurement specialists will be in touch shortly with the options worth looking at. If it is urgent, call 0115 902 9431.