Smart meters don’t just tell you how much energy you’re using. When paired with the ZEB® heat battery boiler, they play a vital role in reducing energy bills, lowering carbon emissions, and supporting the UK’s journey to net zero.
At tepeo, our mission is to make low-carbon heating simple, affordable, and accessible for every home. The Zero Emission Boiler (ZEB®) is designed to store heat when electricity is cheapest and cleanest, then release it when you need it. To do this as efficiently as possible, your ZEB works best with a smart meter.
What is a smart meter?
A smart meter is a modern digital electricity meter that automatically sends accurate readings to your energy supplier. This removes the need for estimated bills and manual meter readings, giving you better visibility and control over your energy use.
More importantly for low-carbon heating systems like the ZEB, smart meters enable access to smart tariffs – flexible electricity tariffs that change price depending on the time of day.
How smart meters and smart tariffs work together with the ZEB
Smart meters record how much electricity you use every half hour. This allows suppliers to offer time‑of‑use tariffs, where electricity costs less during periods of low demand – often overnight or when renewable energy generation is high.
The ZEB heat battery boiler automatically takes advantage of these lower‑cost, lower‑carbon periods by storing heat when electricity is cheapest. That heat is then released throughout the day to provide reliable space heating and hot water, without any manual input.
In simple terms:
- Your smart meter enables access to smart tariffs
- Your ZEB stores energy when it’s cheapest and greenest
- Your home stays warm at a cost comparable to a gas boiler
This combination allows homeowners to enjoy the comfort of a familiar boiler‑style system while switching to an all‑electric, low‑carbon heating solution.
Why smart meters matters for net zero heating
Home heating is one of the largest sources of carbon emissions in UK households. Transitioning away from fossil fuels is essential — but when electricity is used matters just as much as how it’s generated.
Electricity demand peaks in the early evening, when households cook, turn on lights, and heat their homes. During these peak times, the electricity grid often relies on the most expensive and carbon‑intensive power sources.
By shifting heating demand to off‑peak periods:
- Pressure on the electricity grid is reduced
- Renewable energy is used more effectively
- Overall carbon emissions are lowered
With a smart meter and a ZEB heat battery boiler, you’re actively supporting a smarter, more flexible energy system – helping the UK move closer to net zero while keeping your home comfortable.
Are smart meters safe?
Yes. Smart meters are designed with safety, accuracy, and privacy at their core.
- Installed by trained professionals and compliant with UK and EU safety standards
- Certified by the Office for Product Safety & Standards to ensure accuracy
- Just as accurate as traditional meters
All smart meters communicate securely via the Data Communications Company (DCC) network – a national system built with robust cybersecurity protections. You remain in control of your data, including how often readings are shared.
Smart meters do not:
- Record audio or video
- Store personal information about you or your home
- Monitor individual appliances
For more information about how smart meters work and how they are regulated, see Smart Energy GB.
How to get a smart meter
If you don’t already have a smart meter, you can request one directly from your electricity supplier. Smart meter installation is free for households across Great Britain and typically takes around one hour.
Once installed, your smart meter allows your ZEB heat battery boiler to operate at maximum efficiency – helping you reduce energy costs, cut carbon emissions, and future‑proof your home heating.
You can learn more about how our ZEB works with smart and time-of-use tariffs here on our website.
To hear more from our customers, read about their experiences with a ZEB heat battery boiler here.
Need more information?
If you have questions about eligibility or want to speak with our team directly:
Call us: 020 7072 5462
Email us: customer.service@tepeo.com