Landlords see positive use of smart meters

06.03.2025

Source: E & M powernews

Property landlords are pinning their hopes on the "Act to Restart the Digitalization of the Energy Transition", according to a survey.

86% of private landlords and 94% of commercial landlords are convinced that the "Act to Restart the Digitization of the Energy Transition" (GNDEW) will accelerate the introduction of smart meters in Germany. This was announced by the energy service provider Techem with reference to a recent survey. It surveyed 400 private individuals and 88 business customers (commercial landlords and property managers).

57 percent of private and 83 percent of commercial landlords also believe that this technology will have a major impact on the real estate industry. It is known that households with an annual electricity consumption of more than 6,000 kWh must use a smart meter. Similarly, operators of PV systems with an output of between 7 and 100 kW and owners of controllable consumption devices (heat pumps, e-charging stations, battery storage systems) must install a smart meter in connection with PV systems.

The main reason cited by both groups for installing smart meters in their properties was the simplified billing of ancillary costs thanks to precise consumption data (48% and 55%). In second place came the reduction in administrative costs (38% and 54%).

Despite the benefits, the survey also shows that many landlords are still reluctant to install smart metering systems in their properties. The main reasons for this reluctance are excessive costs (33% and 35%) and a lack of information on the subject of smart metering (also 33% and 35%). Only 8 percent of private and 25 percent of business customers plan to equip their properties with smart meters in the next six months.

In addition, 21% of respondents stated that they would postpone their original plans to install a smart metering system until a new government was formed. Private landlords are particularly reluctant to install smart meters, with just under half (47%) stating that they had no plans to do so.

There are also differences between the customer groups with regard to the planned installation of e-charging points and heat pumps within the next six months: While 41 percent of business customers stated that they would implement corresponding measures in their properties, only 13 percent of private landlords were planning to do so.

Author: Stefan Sagmeister