The UK Government has confirmed plans to accelerate the rollout of smart meters across smaller non-domestic premises, with new requirements expected to come into force from 2027. The move forms part of the Government’s wider ambition to create a cleaner, smarter and more flexible energy system while helping businesses better understand and manage their energy consumption.

For Display Energy Certificate (DEC) Assessors and ESOS (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme) Lead Assessors, the announcement is a positive development that could significantly improve access to building energy consumption data and support more effective energy management advice for clients.

What has been announced?

The Government has confirmed that, from 1st September 2027, energy suppliers offering new fixed-term contracts will be required to ensure that customers have, or agree to have, a smart or advanced meter installed. The policy will initially apply to small and medium-sized non-domestic sites in England, Scotland and Wales. Energy suppliers will be required to begin communicating these changes to customers from 1st January 2027.

The Government has highlighted several benefits of increased smart meter adoption, including improved monitoring of energy costs, identification of opportunities to reduce energy consumption, more efficient building operation and greater access to innovative energy tariffs and services.

What this means for DEC Assessors

Unlike EPCs, Display Energy Certificates are operational ratings based on a building’s actual energy consumption over a 12-month period. As a result, the quality and accessibility of energy data is critical to producing accurate DEC assessments.

Many DEC Assessors will be familiar with the challenges of obtaining complete and reliable energy consumption information. Gathering meter readings, chasing utility bills, and resolving missing data can often be one of the most time-consuming parts of the assessment process.

Greater smart meter adoption has the potential to deliver:

Easier access to accurate consumption data
Reduced reliance on manual meter readings
Improved confidence in annual energy consumption records
Faster evidence gathering and assessment production
Better visibility of energy use trends and patterns within buildings
More opportunities to engage clients in discussions around energy performance improvements

While the DEC methodology itself remains unchanged, wider deployment of smart meters should help improve the quality of the underlying data used to produce operational ratings.

What this means for ESOS Lead Assessors

The rollout presents opportunities for ESOS Lead Assessors, who rely heavily on robust consumption data to identify significant energy use and recommend energy-saving opportunities to their customers.

Improved metering infrastructure can support:

More accurate identification of energy consumption patterns
Better quality evidence for ESOS assessments
Improved monitoring and verification of implemented energy-saving measures
Greater client understanding of how and when energy is being consumed
Stronger business cases for energy efficiency investments

As organisations become more engaged with their energy data, Lead Assessors may find it easier to have meaningful conversations about energy management, operational improvements and net zero planning.

Limited impact on EPC Assessments

Whilst the announcement is likely to be welcomed by operational energy professionals, it has little direct impact on EPC assessments.

An EPC is an asset rating that evaluates the theoretical energy performance of a building based on its construction, building services and fixed building characteristics. Current EPC methodologies use simulation models and standardised assumptions to estimate energy consumption, rather than relying on the building’s actual operational energy use.

As a result, the installation of a smart meter does not directly influence the EPC assessment process or the EPC rating itself.

However, increased visibility of energy consumption may encourage building owners and occupiers to invest in energy efficiency improvements. Where these improvements involve building fabric or fixed services upgrades, they could subsequently improve EPC ratings as well as operational performance.

Supporting better energy management

The Government believes smart meters are a crucial part of delivering a cleaner, more flexible energy system and has committed to driving greater uptake across the non-domestic sector. With millions of businesses and public sector buildings expected to benefit from improved energy monitoring, the policy represents another step towards more data-driven energy management.

For DEC Assessors and ESOS Lead Assessors, increased access to high-quality consumption data could help remove one of the most common barriers to effective assessment, enabling more efficient audits, better-informed recommendations and improved outcomes for building owners and occupiers.

Josh Wakeling, Head of Training at Elmhurst Energy, commented:

As demand grows for professionals capable of analysing and interpreting operational energy data, roles such as DEC Assessors and ESOS Lead Assessors continue to offer valuable opportunities for existing energy assessors looking to expand their service offering.

Upskill and save with Elmhurst's Next Level Initiative

Through Elmhurst’s Next Level Initiative, members can access a 20% discount on selected DEC and ESOS training until 30th September 2026, helping assessors diversify into operational energy assessment and broaden the range of services they offer to clients.

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