All the advantages of the digital meter at a glance
In Belgium, three different authorities are responsible for the installation of the meter, but APK Group is also contributing to the installation process!
- Flanders: Fluvius
- Brussels: Sibelga
- Wallonia: Ores and Resa
Unlike the traditional meter that works with a rotary counter, the digital meter is a smart meter. It digitally measures how much energy is being consumed and injected into the network. This also means that you can remotely control the digital meter and read your consumption on an LCD screen.
The reason for the installation of digital meters is multiple. Firstly, the ease of use is higher and most meters today are in need of replacement. The biggest advantage relates to the climate. For example, the digital meter contributes to achieving the 2030 climate objectives. Think of the realisation of lower CO2 emissions, better use of energy and increasing the amount of renewable energy. Between 2030 and 2040, 80% of homes would have to be fitted with a digital meter in order to achieve the 2030 climate targets.
Despite its negative reputation, the digital meter has several advantages. First of all, the meter reading is automatically passed on to the network operator from your home. In addition, when the meter is installed, you can opt for a single or dual tariff completely free of charge. You can use a budget meter, or make your digital meter smarter. This means that you can connect appliances to the digital meter, which can be cost-effective in the long term. Because the smart meter works in a digital way, the data can be sent directly to the energy supplier so that they also have much more accurate data. As a result, your bill will also be much more accurate.
Is the digital meter disadvantageous for houses with solar panels?
A frequently asked question has to do with the impact on solar panel owners. For instance, the digital meter no longer features the reverse counter. However, it is erroneous to think that the digital meter in itself is detrimental to solar panel owners. After all, the abolition of the count-back counter is a political decision. If you installed your solar panels between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2020 and have not yet been able to get a sufficient return on your investment, you are entitled to a retroactive investment premium. This premium amounts to a return of 5% on the average investment. If you do not yet have a digital meter, nothing will change until the meter is effectively replaced.
You can request the installation of the smart meter yourself or wait until your home is ready. If you request it yourself, it is not free and you pay the installation costs yourself. If you request the installation of the meter yourself, you will receive a bonus of €100 on top of your retroactive investment premium.
Can I refuse the digital meter?
Refusing the digital meter is possible until the beginning of 2025 for those who had solar panels installed before the end of 2020. The choice between replacing your meter or enjoying the reversing counter for a few more years is not an easy one. The longer you wait, the lower your retroactive investment premium will be. After 2025, it is no longer possible to refuse the digital meter, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. The ecological advantages, premiums and greater accuracy of your bill make the digital and smart meter the greener choice.
