Smart Meter
A smarter meter.
A smarter way to charge.
Make your electricity use work for you. A smart meter creates the foundation for dynamic tariffs — and for charging your EV when electricity prices are lower.
More from your electricity
Small device. New possibilities.
01
Know when you use energy
A total meter reading is only part of the story. Time-based readings show how your consumption is spread across the day.
02
Unlock dynamic tariffs
Combine your smart meter with a suitable electricity tariff to benefit from changing prices and move flexible use to lower-price periods.
03
Simplify meter readings
The gateway securely sends the required readings to authorized recipients. Manual readings become less of a task.
A smart meter is an intelligent metering system: a digital electricity meter plus a communication unit, the Smart Meter Gateway. Together, they measure consumption and securely transmit the data needed for billing.
A digital display alone does not make a meter smart. Your metering operator can tell you whether a gateway is installed and active.
Digital electricity meter
Measures your consumption and shows it on a display. No gateway connection.
Smart meter + gateway
Measures consumption and transmits readings. The foundation for time-based billing.
More flexibility. More possibilities.
A smart meter becomes especially useful when part of your electricity use can wait. The key is how much energy you can move — and how easily that fits into your day.
01
EV at home
Your car often stays parked longer than it needs to charge. That gives you room to choose lower-price charging windows while keeping your next departure in mind.
Best fit: regular home charging with flexible parking time.
02
Heat pump
Heating can account for a large share of household electricity use. A suitable control system and thermal storage can create flexibility without losing sight of comfort.
Check the heating system, tariff and control settings together.
03
Solar and home battery
Your own solar electricity and electricity from the grid play different roles. Time-based measurements help make grid purchases easier to understand alongside your solar generation.
Solar charging and battery control need their own compatible setup.
04
A flexible household
Even without an EV, some electricity use can move to a different time. Look at the appliances you use regularly and whether their schedules can realistically change.
Compare potential savings with the full annual tariff and meter costs.
Your smart meter provides readings for your electricity tariff. StromNow helps schedule your connected EV or home charger around lower-price charging windows and your departure time.
A compatible vehicle or home charger and a suitable tariff are required. Actual savings depend on your tariff, consumption and charging flexibility.
The time you charge can make a difference.
With a dynamic tariff, the electricity price follows the market in defined intervals, for example every 15 minutes. Your smart meter provides the time-based readings needed to assign consumption to the relevant price.
There is no permanently cheapest time of day. Prices can rise as well as fall. Look at the complete price per kWh, your charging window and the tariff’s fixed costs.
Example: 20 kWh from the grid
Higher-price window
20 kWh × €0.30
€6.00
Lower-price window
20 kWh × €0.20
€4.00
€2 difference for the same 20 kWh
Illustrative calculation using assumed total consumption prices per kWh. No tariff offer or savings forecast. Fixed tariff and metering fees are excluded and must be considered separately.
From your meter box to smarter charging.
01
Check your meter
Check your electricity bill for your metering operator and ask whether you already have an active smart meter.
02
Arrange installation
Ask your metering operator about availability, installation requirements, the appointment and all one-off and ongoing costs.
03
Connect your charging setup
Once the meter and tariff are ready, connect a supported vehicle or home charger in StromNow and set your charging preferences.
A little preparation makes the next steps easier.
Have your meter number, latest electricity bill and a photo of the meter cabinet ready. The metering operator checks the installation conditions and communication connection, then arranges the appointment. Keep the cabinet accessible and ask about a brief power interruption.
Installation and tariff activation are separate steps. Ask your supplier to confirm when time-based billing starts.
Know what you pay. Before you start.
A smart meter and your electricity tariff are different parts of your setup. Compare the complete offer so that an attractive installation price does not hide ongoing costs.
Installation and preparation
Ask whether your offer includes an installation charge and whether any work on the meter cabinet is needed. Have additional electrical work quoted separately.
Ongoing metering
Meter operation, maintenance and data transmission are part of metering services. Check the annual fee and whether it appears on your electricity bill or on a separate invoice.
Your electricity tariff
Compare the base fee, the full consumption price and the contract terms. A low exchange price alone does not describe the total amount you pay for electricity.
The default metering operator must observe statutory price caps. The applicable category and any additional services determine the details. Use the operator’s current price list and the Bundesnetzagentur’s guidance.
Where are you starting from?
I already have a smart meter.
Ask your metering operator to confirm that the gateway is active. Then check with your electricity supplier whether the meter is ready for your chosen dynamic tariff. For Smart Charging, check your vehicle or wallbox compatibility as well.
I still need a smart meter.
Start with the metering operator listed on your electricity bill. Ask about an intelligent metering system, the requirements for your address and a complete quote. You can plan your charging setup while installation is being arranged.
Your Smart Meter questions, answered.
A clear start for your connected home. Still have a question? We’re here to help.
What exactly is a smart meter?
How do I know if I already have one?
Do I need a smart meter to charge my EV?
Who installs the meter and what does it cost?
Does a smart meter automatically lower my bill?
How are my consumption data protected?
What is the difference between the operator and the supplier?
Can I get a smart meter in a rented home?
How long does installation take?