Why was my business moved to a half-hourly meter?
Usually because your site is in a larger-use electricity band (profile classes 5 to 8), where half-hourly settlement has been mandatory since April 2017, or because your supplier changed your settlement type after fitting a smart or advanced meter. Ask the supplier which reason applies.
A half-hourly (HH) meter records how much electricity you use in each 30-minute period. Older meters record cumulative totals, and the industry estimates the pattern. For the basics see half-hourly meters explained.
The usual reasons
1. Your profile class
Elexon, which runs the settlement system, groups non-domestic customers into profile classes. Classes 3 and 4 cover standard (unrestricted and Economy 7) sites. Classes 5 to 8 are for maximum-demand customers, set by how steady the usage is. Since a rule change known as P272 took effect in April 2017, half-hourly settlement has been mandatory for classes 5 to 8, so a site in one of these classes has to have an HH meter.
2. Demand above a size threshold
Under the industry settlement rules, a non-half-hourly supply must be moved to half-hourly metering once the average of its three highest monthly maximum demands over the past 12 months (or since a significant change in demand) is above 100 kW. Ask your supplier whether that is what triggered your change, and for the demand figures it used.
3. A new meter or a supplier decision
A smart or advanced meter can make HH settlement possible. Some suppliers move customers onto HH settlement when a new meter is fitted.
4. Industry reform
The market-wide move to half-hourly settlement (MHHS) is shifting everyone to HH settlement. See MHHS for business.
What can change on your bill
- Network (DUoS) charges may be shown by time band.
- Capacity-related charges can appear; see exceeding your capacity.
- Bills should rely on actual data rather than estimates.
What to ask your supplier
- Which of these reasons applies to my site?
- What is my profile class now, and what was it before?
- Does any part of my contract price change as a result, and under which clause?
- How can I see my half-hourly data?
Check your MPAN: the first two digits on the top line show the profile class, and 00 indicates half-hourly settlement.
Worked example
A food manufacturer runs refrigeration and ovens round the clock and has been classed as profile class 8. Its supplier must therefore settle it half-hourly. Its half-hourly data shows peak demand at 06:00 when the ovens start, so the site now pays attention to staggering start-up to avoid peak capacity use.
What it doesn't change
- Your contract unit rates should stay as agreed unless your contract allows a change, for example a clause about a change of meter type or pass-through charges; read the terms and ask the supplier to confirm in writing.
- You still receive a bill from your supplier.
What it might change
Half-hourly sites often see more detail on network charges and may see charges tied to capacity. Check the "non-commodity" lines against your previous bills, and see non-commodity charges explained.
If you disagree with the change
Ask for the supplier's written reason and your profile class history. If the answer is unclear, escalate as set out in disputing a bill.
Sources
General information only. Energy prices, rules and supplier terms change; check the latest position with your supplier, Ofgem or the Energy Ombudsman before you act.