Smart meter installer

Smart meter installers fit gas and electricity meters in customers' homes and businesses.

In this guide

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a smart meter installer you could:

  • visit customers' homes and businesses to fit smart meters for gas, electricity or both
  • set up connections between the meter and heating and hot water systems
  • test equipment to make sure it's working safely
  • show customers how to use their smart meter
  • advise customers on how to be more energy efficient

We've identified this as a green job

As a smart meter installer, you'll fit smart meters which help people to monitor and reduce the energy they use. This can have a positive impact on the environment.

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You could work at a client's home or at a client's business.

Your working environment may be cramped and you'll travel often.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

  • become an team leader, offering technical advice to installers
  • train new smart meter installers
  • move into gas or electrical engineering with an energy provider
  • train to install electric vehicle charging points, fit solar panels or to be an energy efficiency consultant

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • practical skills for installing equipment
  • customer service skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • problem-solving skills
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • maths knowledge
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

Most relevant

  • Physics - Smart meter installers need to understand how electricity and gas systems work, including circuits, energy flow, and how meters measure consumption. This knowledge is essential when setting up connections between meters and heating or hot water systems, and when testing equipment for safety.
  • Mathematics - Smart meter installers use maths daily to read and interpret meter data, calculate energy usage, and ensure installations meet technical specifications. They also need to work with measurements and units when fitting equipment in different types of properties.
  • Design and Technology - Smart meter installers work with tools, fittings, and technical equipment in practical, hands-on environments. Understanding how systems are assembled, how to read technical diagrams, and how to solve practical installation problems is central to the job.
  • Engineering - Smart meter installers work with gas and electrical systems, connecting meters to heating, hot water, and energy infrastructure. Understanding engineering principles helps them install equipment safely and troubleshoot issues when systems don't work as expected.

Also relevant

  • Electronics - Smart meter installers fit digital meters that communicate energy usage data wirelessly to energy providers. Understanding how electronic components, sensors, and communication systems work helps when setting up and configuring these devices.
  • Environmental Science - Smart meter installers advise customers on how to reduce their energy use and be more energy efficient. Understanding environmental issues like carbon emissions and energy conservation helps them explain why smart meters matter and how they contribute to sustainability.
  • Business - Smart meter installers interact with customers in their homes and businesses, explaining how meters work and advising on energy efficiency. Understanding customer service and how energy companies operate helps them represent their employer professionally and build trust with clients.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

You could do a college course which can be useful when applying for a trainee job.

Courses include:

  • electrical Installation
  • T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

You could start your installation career by doing a Duel Fuel Smart Meter Installer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This takes a minimum of one year and 2 months to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

You can apply directly to energy companies for trainee smart meter installer jobs.

Experience and qualifications in gas or electricity installation will be useful, though this is not always essential. Employers will often give on-the-job training to the right person.

Some employers might ask for GCSEs, including maths and English, or equivalent qualifications, and good customer service skills.

You can find out more about careers in the energy industry through Energy and Utilities Jobs.

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