Smart Meter Enabled Thermal Efficiency Ratings SMETER
Smart Meter Enabled Thermal Efficiency Ratings (SMETER) refers to what the UK government calls 'technologies that measure the thermal performance of homes using smart meter and other data.'
in 2018 the UK government launched the Smart Meter Enabled Thermal Efficiency Ratings (SMETER) Innovation Programme, calling for teams to develop, test and demonstrate technologies that measure the thermal performance of homes, using smart meter and other data. Up to £4.1 million was provided for innovation projects to develop SMETER tools. Up to £900,000 was provided for a Technical Assessment Contractor to independently test and demonstrate SMETER tools developed during the innovation projects, expected to be completed and to disseminate learning by January 2021.
The contract for Technical Assessment Contractor was awarded to a consortium made up of: Loughborough University, UCL, Leeds Beckett and Halton Housing. 8 projects secured funding in the competition below is a list of the participating organisations along with a brief description of the SMETER technology and product:
- A Building Research Establishment BRE: Used only smart meter data and required no additional hardware product in the home. Required data that could be found in an EPC survey, plus: number of bedrooms.
- B Build Test Solutions BTS: Five wireless and battery-powered sensors (temperature and relative humidity) that report to a hub. The hub was connected to the internet. Required data that could be found in an EPC survey, plus: floor plan; and type, area, and orientation of each window.
- C Cambridge Architectural Research CAR A proprietary heating controller with a touch screen interface (with temperature sensor), wireless boiler receiver unit, and five wirelessly controlled (battery powered) motorised TRVs (with temperature sensors) to install on radiators. Additionally, five wireless battery-powered sensors (each measuring temperature, relative humidity, light, and motion detection) report to a hub. The hub and the heating controller were connected to the internet. Required data that could be found in an EPC survey.
- D Centre for Sustainable Energy CSE Seven battery-powered data logging air temperature sensors, placed in different rooms, and then mailed back to the participating organisation at the end of monitoring. Included a shielded external air temperature sensor mounted to an external wall. No other information about the home was required.
- E EDF EDF Used only smart meter data and required no additional hardware product in the home or any other information about the home.
- F Hoare Lea HOA Four wireless battery-powered sensors (temperature and relative humidity) that report to a hub. The hub was connected to the internet. Required data that could be found in an EPC survey, plus: floor plan.
- G Passiv UK PAS Two battery-powered wireless sensors (temperature and relative humidity) connected to the local Sigfox wireless network. Required data that could be found in an EPC survey, plus: floor plan, number of bedrooms, number of occupants.
- H Switchee SWI A proprietary smart heating controller. The heating controller measured temperature, relative humidity, and motion detection. There were no additional sensors, and no external internet connection (the participant reported GSM cellular communications were built into the system). Required data that could be found in an EPC survey, plus: floor plan; and type, area, and orientation of each window
Follow links here for further information about the Smart Meter Enabled Thermal Efficiency Ratings (SMETER) Innovation Programme (2019) and the Smart meter enabled thermal efficiency ratings (SMETER) technologies project: technical evaluation.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Accessible meter.
- Building management systems.
- Data from smart energy meters.
- Demand response.
- Edge devices.
- Electromagnetic meters.
- European connected and smart home market.
- Glossary of electrical terms.
- Heat meter.
- Heat metering.
- Hydroinformatics.
- Internet of things.
- Kilowatt hour.
- Net zero pathway – direct acting solutions for existing homes.
- Smart buildings.
- Smart city.
- Smart construction.
- Smart meter.
- Smart Meters Bill.
- Smart meter owners report higher, not lower, bills.
- Smart technology.
- The future of electricity in domestic buildings, a review.
- Ultrasonic meter.
- Water meter.
Featured articles and news
What they are, how they work and why they are popular in many countries.
Plastic, recycling and its symbol
Student competition winning, M.C.Esher inspired Möbius strip design symbolising continuity within a finite entity.
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.
How neural technologies could transform the design future
Enhancing legacy parametric engines, offering novel ways to explore solutions and generate geometry.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government and other bodies.
From QS to further education teacher
Applying real world skills with the next generation.
A guide on how children can use LEGO to mirror real engineering processes.
Data infrastructure for next-generation materials science
Research Data Express to automate data processing and create AI-ready datasets for materials research.
Wired for the Future with ECA; powering skills and progress
ECA South Wales Business Day 2025, a day to remember.
AI for the conservation professional
A level of sophistication previously reserved for science fiction.
Biomass harvested in cycles of less than ten years.
An interview with the new CIAT President
Usman Yaqub BSc (Hons) PCIAT MFPWS.
Cost benefit model report of building safety regime in Wales
Proposed policy option costs for design and construction stage of the new building safety regime in Wales.
Do you receive our free biweekly newsletter?
If not you can sign up to receive it in your mailbox here.