Can you refuse a smart meter in England?

Ask why the meter is being replaced before deciding what to do.

The answer in 2 lines. You can generally decline an offer to install a smart meter in England. However, that does not give you an unlimited right to keep a faulty or unsafe traditional meter. Smart meters are now the default replacement, and traditional replacements may be unavailable. Ask your supplier why replacement is needed, what alternatives exist and whether non-communicating operation is possible in your circumstances. Standard domestic smart-meter installation has no upfront charge. If you are worried about data, tariffs or prepayment, raise those specific concerns before agreeing an appointment.

The first steps

Ask what the appointment is for: an optional upgrade, a fault, a safety issue or replacement of equipment that no longer works properly. Request the explanation in writing.
Check the official expectations: read GOV.UK's smart-meter rights guidance, particularly the sections on installation, privacy and prepayment.
Put your concern into words: use the refusal and replacement questions on the Energy Ombudsman's smart-meter page to prepare questions for your supplier.

Stop: danger

A damaged or unsafe meter: do not interfere with it or delay reporting a safety concern while disputing smart functionality. Ask your supplier to make the equipment safe.
Unexpected payment requests: verify the appointment through contact details on an existing bill before providing financial information.

Refusing an offer is different from keeping an old meter

If you simply do not want a smart meter, tell your supplier and keep a copy of your response. If the existing meter needs replacing, ask what makes replacement necessary and what equipment is available.

The Energy Ombudsman's guidance explains that traditional meters may be unavailable. In exceptional circumstances, it may be possible to install a smart meter with its smart functionality switched off. Ask your supplier whether this is possible; do not treat it as a guaranteed option or arrange changes yourself.

What changes when the meter works in smart mode?

A functioning smart meter sends readings automatically and can help avoid estimated bills. Its separate in-home display lets you see energy use and spending. Ask the installer to demonstrate it and explain how to recognise whether readings are reaching your supplier.

Use Ofgem's smart-meter guidance to check the benefits and troubleshooting route. A display problem and a meter failing to record consumption are different issues: describe precisely what has stopped working.

What not to do

Assuming every replacement letter means you must accept a particular tariff.
Believing that a smart meter automatically means prepayment: smart meters can also operate with payment after use.
Stopping meter readings or ignoring bills while you discuss installation. Check whether your supplier is using actual or estimated readings.

Charges, tariffs and information sharing

The government's smart-metering factsheet confirms that domestic installation has no upfront charge. Read that statement alongside the supplier's appointment terms: request a written explanation of any charge for additional work before authorising it.

Ask whether your current tariff will continue and whether any proposed alternative requires a working smart meter. Installation alone does not guarantee savings. For privacy concerns, ask what information will be collected, how often and for what purpose. The GOV.UK rights guidance distinguishes your choices from access required for regulated purposes such as billing.

If the explanation or installation goes wrong

Complain to your supplier first. Include the appointment details, what you were told and the outcome you want, such as a clear replacement explanation or repair of a fault. Keep the complaint reference and correspondence.

Follow the complaint route in the GOV.UK rights guidance. It gives the supplier eight weeks to resolve the issue before escalation to the Energy Ombudsman; the linked ombudsman service explains eligibility and how to submit your evidence.

Good to know

If you pay the energy bill in a rented home, official guidance says you should be able to book installation where the meter is expected to work. Check your tenancy terms and discuss any physical alterations.
Tell your supplier before the appointment if you need accessible instructions or support during an interruption to the supply.
This guide covers England. The main rollout framework also covers Wales and Scotland; Northern Ireland has separate arrangements.

Illustrative example: in Bristol, Martin declines an upgrade because he is concerned about data sharing. When his supplier later reports a fault with the old meter, he asks for the reason in writing, discusses replacement options and checks the privacy settings before arranging the appointment.

A made-up story, for illustration.

Bobby

Sources, verification, confidence

Verified on 4 November 2026, for England. Confidence: high for standard installation charges, published service expectations and the distinction between declining an offer and replacing faulty equipment; medium for availability of non-communicating operation, which requires the supplier's assessment. No universal refusal surcharge is asserted.