Tariffs

Economy 7 or smart meter confusion

Warning Do not attempt any electrical or gas work yourself. Always use a qualified, MCS-certified, or Gas Safe registered professional for repairs.

What you’re seeing (symptoms)

You have two different electricity rates (Day/Night), your meter has multiple displays, or you are struggling to get your new smart meter to show your solar export data.

What’s normal vs not normal

Normal:

  • A smart meter taking 1–2 weeks to “commission” after installation.
  • The In-Home Display (IHD) occasionally losing connection to the meter.
  • The “Day” and “Night” times changing slightly when the clocks go forward or back.

Not normal:

  • Being charged the “Day” rate for your nighttime usage.
  • A “dumb” meter spinning backwards when your solar panels are generating.
  • Your energy supplier refusing to put you on an EV tariff because they “can’t see” your smart meter.

Likely causes (ranked)

  1. Signal Issues: Your meter is in a basement or metal cupboard and cannot “talk” to the national network (DCC).
  2. Legacy Wiring: You have an old “Radio Teleswitch” (RTS) which is being decommissioned soon.
  3. Crossed Meters: In flats, sometimes meters are labeled incorrectly, meaning you’re paying for your neighbor’s usage.
  4. Firmware Bug: The smart meter needs a remote “re-push” of its configuration.
  5. Incompatibility: Your old Economy 7 timer is fighting with your new smart heating controls.

Quick checks you can do safely

  • Check your IHD—is it showing “Searching for network”?
  • Compare the serial number on your bill with the one on the physical meter.
  • Press the ‘9’ or ‘A’ button on your meter to see the different rate readings.

When to call your energy supplier

  • If your meter display is blank or says “Error.”
  • If you want to switch to a smart tariff but they say your meter isn’t “Smart” enough.
  • If you are moving from Economy 7 to a standard or EV tariff and need the billing logic changed.

Questions to ask your supplier

  • “Is my meter a SMETS1 or SMETS2 model?”
  • “Can you verify the MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) is correct for my address?”
  • “When will my export data (SEG) be visible in my account?”

Related NetZeroNow tools & guides

FAQs

What is SMETS2? It is the latest generation of smart meters that allows you to switch energy suppliers without the meter losing its “smart” functions.

Can I keep Economy 7 with solar? You can, but it might not be the best option. A modern “Time of Use” tariff often offers better value when combined with a home battery.

Why is my meter spinning backwards? Old mechanical meters do this when you export solar. While it feels like “free energy,” it’s technically not allowed, and you should inform your supplier to get a smart meter fitted.

What happens to my Radio Teleswitch? The RTS network is being shut down. If your heating or hot water depends on it, you must upgrade to a smart meter soon to avoid your heating getting stuck “on” or “off.”

How do I see my export? Smart meters usually show export on ‘Rate 0’ or ‘Total Export.’ You often have to click through several menus on the physical meter to find it.

Written by NetZeroNow | Last updated on 2026-03-02