March Newsletter

What we've learnt from your smart meter data - and what we haven't

Domestic electricity meters installed in Great Britain

Source: DESNZ, 2025

Thanks to a steady stream of new customers for our smart tariff analysis over the past month (with 17 this week!), we’ve learnt a lot about different customer profiles - and the not-so-smart realities of the GB smart meter rollout.

 

Here are three things we've discovered...

 

  • Heat pumps + EVs? Think seasonal tariff switching: Customers with heat pumps and EVs may be best off adopting a seasonal tariff strategy, switching to a heat pump friendly tariff in the winter, but something else in the summer. Regularly switching tariffs may be too much of a hassle for some, but the potential savings are significant.

  • Past data has its limits: With customers installing new devices during the year, and with electricity prices going down and then up again, we recognise the need to be cautious in adopting a recommendation based solely on historical data. We're working on better prediction methods.

  • Device automating tariffs make comparisons tricky: Customers on tariffs that automatically control their solar inverter, battery, or EV present a unique challenge for tariff comparison, as their consumption profile is optimised to the tariff they are already on. This underlines the need for more sophisticated comparison methodologies.

 

The not-so-good news? We've had trouble accessing data for 20% of customers as a result of smart meter communication issues. Since these challenges are industry-wide, we are determined to find ways around them where we can.

 

If you are one of those with a poorly functioning smart meter, our advice is to insist on getting it replaced. And despite our criticism of the GB smart meter rollout, this does not change our advice that everyone should get a smart meter. They are critical to accessing smart tariffs, and to unlocking savings by shifting your demand to off-peak hours of the day.

 

If you’re having issues with your smart meter, or struggling to get it replaced, we’d love to hear from you - this helps us understand what is going wrong, and what we can do to help.

March insights

Why your smart meter may not be so smart

 

Discover why your smart meter may not be as smart as you think and how you can get faulty meters fixed.

 
Read more

Why everyone should get a smart meter

 

Learn how these critical devices can cut costs, provide accurate bills, and make your energy usage smarter.

 

 
Read more

Why now might be the perfect time to upgrade to a heat pump

 

Being proactive pays off - find out why upgrading to a heat pump could help you save on your bills and make your home more comfortable

 
Read more

Company updates

  • Customer savings so far this year: Our smart tariff recommendations are helping people save - with an average potential saving of 25% on electricity bills for those on a flat-rate tariff if they were to switch to a smart tariff. Many of them can likely save even more if they program their smart devices to fit their new tariff!

  • Our rebrand: Thanks to everyone who's shared feedback on our recent rebrand - we're excited that our new look resonates with so many of you. We continue to listen and learn, always aiming to better serve our customers as SmartShift.

  • DESNZ engagement: Our co-founder Oliver Knight took part in a second meeting of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) “working group on innovation” this month, helping to bring a startup’s perspective to some of the biggest barriers we and the wider industry are facing in shaking up the electricity market.

Energy news

Solar power returns - and prices plunge 

 

Recent sunny days and rising temperatures have increased solar production, with customers on Octopus Agile even enjoying sub-5p pricing through the day on 21 and 28 March (both Fridays!).

 

 
Learn more

UK emissions fall to lowest level since 1872

 

The country's greenhouse gas emissions fell 3.6% to reach their lowest since 1872 while coal usage reached levels last seen in 1666, the year of the Great Fire of London.

 

 

 
Learn more

Flexibility key to Clean Power by 2030

 

Households will need to use electricity at times of lower demand or over-production of renewables to help achieve the Government's mission of Clean Power by 2030.

 

 
Learn more

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