A half-hourly (HH) meter records your electricity usage every 30 minutes and sends those readings automatically to your supplier. Larger or higher-consumption businesses are required to have one. It gives accurate, usage-based billing — and it means your tariff options and pricing work differently from a standard business meter.
As the name suggests, a half-hourly meter captures your electricity consumption in 30-minute intervals across the day and transmits that data to your supplier automatically, with no manual readings needed. Rather than estimating your usage or relying on occasional readings, your supplier sees exactly how much you used and when.
That granular data is the whole point. It allows pricing that reflects your actual consumption pattern — including how much you use at peak versus off-peak times — which is particularly relevant for businesses with high or variable demand.
There are a few ways to tell. The clearest is your bill or your meter's profile class: half-hourly supplies are identified by specific profile classes (often shown as 00 or HH on documentation), distinct from the standard non-half-hourly classes used by smaller premises. If your bill shows detailed time-based usage data, that's a strong sign. If you're unsure, your supplier can confirm it — or we can check on your behalf with a Letter of Authority.
Broadly, the higher your electricity demand, the more likely you are to be on half-hourly metering.
Businesses above certain electricity demand thresholds are mandated to have half-hourly metering — historically the largest consumers, though the threshold has widened over time so that many medium-sized businesses now fall into it too. If your premises has significant or continuous electricity demand — manufacturing, large hospitality, multi-unit sites — there's a good chance HH metering applies to you.
Half-hourly supplies are priced differently from standard ones. Because the supplier has detailed data, contracts can be tailored more precisely to your usage profile, and the mix of charges (including non-commodity and capacity-related costs) can be more complex than a simple unit rate. The upside is that with the right contract, that precision can work in your favour — but it also means comparing HH deals is less straightforward, which is where a broker who handles them regularly earns their keep.
Having an HH meter doesn't make switching harder — it just means the comparison needs to account for your detailed usage data. We compare 15+ suppliers, factor in your consumption profile, and present the best options clearly. As with any switch, the supply itself is unaffected and there's no downtime.
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How do I know if I have a half-hourly meter?
Check your bill or meter profile class — half-hourly supplies use specific profile classes and often show detailed time-based usage. If you're unsure, your supplier can confirm it, or we can check on your behalf.
Are half-hourly meters more expensive?
Not inherently. Pricing on HH supplies is structured differently and can be more complex, but with the right contract that detailed data can help you secure a tariff that fits your usage well.
Can I switch supplier with a half-hourly meter?
Yes. An HH meter doesn't prevent switching — the comparison simply takes your detailed usage profile into account. The switch is handled the same way, with no interruption to your supply.