Prepayment meters allow you to pay for your energy as you use it, similar to a standard meter, but with one key difference – you don’t receive a bill at the end of the month. Instead, you top up a card or use a smart meter to add credit, which is then used to access your energy. For smart prepayment meters, you can top up easily through our website or mobile app.
How do prepayment meters work?
Prepayment meters are a type of utility meter that require users to pay for their energy upfront, before it’s used. You can top up your meter in several ways, such as at a PayPoint, online, or via a smartphone app. Once credit is loaded onto the meter, it deducts the energy used, based on the rates set by your energy supplier. If the balance runs low, the meter will alert you, and emergency credit may be available as a temporary solution until you top up again. Prepayment meters can also be used to repay any outstanding debt, with a portion of the credit going towards clearing this balance.
Prepayment meters are a useful tool for budgeting, as they help prevent unexpected bills, but they may come with higher tariffs than standard meters. The need for frequent top-ups can be inconvenient, and payment is made upfront rather than after consumption, which offers less flexibility compared to traditional meters.
If you have any outstanding debt, you can arrange to pay it off at an agreed rate, with a portion of your top-up going towards clearing the debt. Your meter balance will decrease based on your energy usage, any debt repayments, and the daily standing charge. A standing charge is a fixed daily fee for supplying your home with energy, which covers the costs of the infrastructure that delivers the energy to your property.
When your meter balance becomes too low, you’ll need to top up again to maintain supply. If you have a smart prepayment meter, you may also have an in-home display unit, which can help you manage and monitor your energy usage.
This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to re-enable your supply for the following prepayment smart meters.