Business electricity
Half-hourly (HH)
metering
Accurate, automatic reads
30+ UK suppliers- A half-hourly (HH) meter records electricity use every 30 minutes and sends readings automatically — no estimates.
- Larger businesses, above a certain capacity or usage, are required to have HH metering.
- HH billing is accurate and detailed, but the bill has more components and can look more complex.
- If you're on HH, your usage data is valuable — understanding your profile helps you buy energy more smartly.
If your business is a larger energy user, you may have — or need — a half-hourly meter. Here's what that means in plain English.
What a half-hourly meter is
A half-hourly (HH) meter does exactly what the name says: it records your electricity consumption in 30-minute intervals and sends those readings automatically to your supplier. There are no estimated reads — your bill reflects exactly what you used, when you used it.
Who needs one
HH metering is required for larger-usage businesses above a certain capacity, and many have been moved onto it automatically. Smaller businesses typically stay on standard or smart meters, but if your demand is high, HH is the standard.
The upsides
- Accurate billing — no estimates, no catch-up bills.
- Detailed usage data — you can see exactly when you use energy, which helps with efficiency and smarter buying.
The trade-off
HH bills have more components than a simple bill — alongside your unit rate and standing charge, you'll see various network and system charges broken out. That can make the bill look more complex. Understanding it is where a broker helps; see our guides on how much business energy costs and network charges.
On half-hourly metering and want your bill and rates checked? We compare business electricity across the market, HH included. Call 0845 862 1947 or get in touch — free, no obligation.
A half-hourly meter gives you accurate, data-rich billing — valuable if you use energy in volume. The bill looks more detailed, but that detail is exactly what lets you buy energy more smartly.