Troo: Which energy meter is right for your club?

Is your energy meter working as hard as it should be for your rugby club?

It’s easy to forget about that dusty box, probably hidden away in your clubhouse, only uncovered for the occasional meter reading.

However, modern meters can do more than provide a reading every few months. Depending on the type of meter installed, the information available can help clubs understand their energy consumption and identify patterns in their usage.

What does a business energy meter do?

Business energy meters measure how much electricity or gas your club uses.

That information is used by suppliers to calculate your bills and, depending on the type of meter, can also provide insights into how and when your club consumes energy.

Manual meter readings were traditionally taken at intervals, but smart meters can send data automatically to suppliers on a more frequent basis.

The more accurate your usage data, the easier it becomes to understand consumption patterns, manage costs and choose the right energy contract.

What types of business energy meter are there?

Non-half-hourly (NHH):

• Used by: Smaller businesses with lower electricity consumption.
• Measures: Electricity consumption recorded between meter readings.
• Features: Simple, cost-effective and suitable for lower energy users.

Half-hourly (HH):

• Used by: Larger businesses with higher electricity demand.
• Measures:  Electricity usage every 30 minutes.
• Features: Provides more accurate billing and detailed consumption data for energy management.

Smart meters:

• Used by: Businesses of all sizes.
• Measures: Automatic meter readings sent directly to your supplier.
• Features: Eliminates estimated bills and provides greater visibility of energy usage.

Advanced meters and automated meter reading (AMR):

• Used by: Medium and large commercial premises.
• Measures: Automatic remote meter readings.
• Features: Improves billing accuracy and simplifies energy monitoring without manual readings.

Meter types and arrangements can vary, so clubs should check their own meter documentation or consult their existing energy supplier if they are unsure which system they have.

How can I tell which business energy meter I have?

Not sure which physical meter your site has installed? Here are a few tips to help identify it:

Traditional meters: These may feature mechanical dials or a digital display and may require manual readings.

Smart meters: Usually feature an electronic screen with no moving parts or rotating wheels. It may also be attached to a small communications hub with a flashing light.

If you’re unsure, your energy supplier can help confirm which meter type is installed and explain whether readings are sent automatically.

What should clubs know about smart meters

There are three key features to having an operational smart meter monitoring your business energy usage:

1. Automatic readings: No more reminders to submit a reading manually. No more accidentally plugging in the wrong numbers or scrambling to find the meters on multiple sites.

2. Actual readings: If you miss a manual meter reading submission, your bill could be based on an estimate. Smart meters ensure you will generally always receive a bill based on actual data.

3. Better insights: A traditional meter can only show you how much energy you use between readings, which may be taken at irregular intervals. Smart meters are able to break down usage patterns so you can spot trends more easily.

Making informed decisions about your energy

Business energy can be complex, and every rugby club has different facilities, budgets and requirements.

Understanding the meter installed at your premises, the information it provides and the terms of your existing energy arrangements can help you assess your club’s position.

National League Rugby’s partnership with Troo is helping to simplify key information such as this to allow clubs to make smart decisions.

As part of our relationship, Troo are offering clubs a free energy health check for practical advice on business electricity, gas and water procurement, renewable consultancy and their ongoing management services.

For further information about Troo, contact Sean Gleeson: sean.gleeson@troocost.com

Make sure you follow National League Rugby on social media!

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Threads