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

We attempt to install a smart meter for every Amber customer who doesn't already have one. Around 90% of the time we're able to successfully install a smart meter at no additional cost. We can do this in any situation where the meter is safe to upgrade as is.

You can read more about what our smart meter installation process looks like here.

Are smart meters installations always successful?

The other  10% of the time, smart meter installations require additional electrical works to make your existing meter safe to upgrade. Because our margin is only our low monthly fee, we typically can't cover the cost of these additional works.

There are some common factors that can make smart meter installations more complex, and increase the likelihood that additional works will be required. If you think any of these factors may apply in your case, please give us a heads up when we schedule your smart meter installation. We'll still send a technician out for an installation, and this does not mean you can't have a smart meter, just that installation may require some additional cost on your end.  

• If you live in a block of apartments or units. Particularly in older units, we often see that all of the meters on the complex's meter board are interconnected and very close together, this means that in order to get a meter installed your meter will need to be isolated. We may also see a situation where the motherboard needs to be extended by an electrician in order to make room for a smart meter.
• If your meter box is too old. An old meter box can create issues for us too, if the wood on the board is rotten, if the wiring is non-compliant with current standards or if the fuses are insulated with asbestos. then the issues will need to be fixed by a registered electrician before we can send a technician for a second installation attempt.
• Exposed or unsafe wiring.
• Asbestos in or around the meter box.
• Territorial geese

You’ll always have the option not to proceed and to remain on a basic meter or interval meter if you choose, and will continue to receive prices that represent an average of Amber’s typical wholesale rates (you can read a bit more about this here).

If you decide to give our metering partner the go-ahead to move ahead with the installation and related works, we’ll pass the cost of the additional work that's needed through to you at cost, with no markup.