What happens when a smart meter gets installed?

When you sign up to Amber on a basic meter, we'll automatically attempt a smart meter install following your cooling off period, so that you can make the most out of Amber.

Smart meter installations need to be completed by a certified electrician, and so we need to work with metering companies to coordinate your installation.

Depending on demand and your location, it takes around 4 weeks from when you sign-up to Amber for the installation to be completed. 

Also see, Will I definitely be able to get a smart meter installed at no additional cost?

• Day 1 - You sign up to Amber. Your ten day ‘cooling off’ period starts. You have this time to decide if you want to stick with Amber or go back to your original retailer.
• Day 2-3 - Your account is officially transferred to Amber. Though this transfer may take a day or two, your official start date with us is the day you signed up. 
• Day 10 - Your cooling off period ends. Unless you’ve indicated during your cooling off period that you want to remain with your previous retailer, it is at this point that we will submit a request to our metering partner to install a smart meter at your property if you don’t have one
• Within 2 weeks from the end of your cooling off period - you receive an email from our metering partner BlueCurrent (formerly Vector) with the date of your smart meter install
• Within 4 weeks from end of your cooling off period - metering partner will visit your property and your smart meter will be installed. 
• 4-6 weeks from sign up - total timeline for smart meter install if no issues arise (see below for more on this)
• Your usage data should begin flowing into the Amber app within 3 days of your smart meter install

What does the smart meter install involve?

Once you've got a date for installation from the metering company (look out for an email from BlueCurrent, formerly Vector), the electrician will remove your old meter and install the new one in the same spot.

We'll send a meter installer to your property to attempt to install a smart meter. This might involve you losing power for a little while (usually less than an hour).

Once your smart meter is installed your usage data should start appearing in the Amber app within 5 days. Once that happens you’re good to go - we can start passing through real-time wholesale prices for your energy usage 🙌

When your smart meter installation is completed, your network may switch you from a flat rate tariff to their default tariff, which may include a time-of-use or demand tariff. We pass through these tariffs at cost. We can submit a tariff change request on your behalf once every 12 months in most networks so please reach out if you have a preferred tariff.

Note - in Ausgrid you can request to change from a demand tariff to a Time of Use Tariff after one month). Keep in mind that your network controls your tariff and sometimes they will reject our change request. 

Look out for an email from BlueCurrent, who will inform you of when your installation will occur. An electrician will be dispatched to remove your old meter and install the new one in the same spot.

Once your smart meter is installed your usage data should start appearing in the Amber app within 5 days.