As discussed last month, Ofgem require all RHI participants to replace or recalibrate their heat meters every 10 years. This rule is enforced strictly, and Ofgem regularly reclaim payments when a heat meter is out of date or being used beyond its valid calibration period.
If your system is still recording heat with an expired meter, you are at real risk of having RHI funds taken back — sometimes for multiple quarters. Understanding exactly how old your meter is, and whether it is approaching the 10-year point, is essential to staying compliant and protecting your payments.
To help you make sure you stay safe and compliant, here are three simple ways to check the age of your heat meters and confirm whether your heat meter is out of date — before it becomes a problem with Ofgem!
- Look at the CE Stamp
The most direct method is to look at the physical meter. By law, meters must have a CE stamp under the Measuring Instruments Directive.
Next to the CE stamp, look for a rectangular box containing the letter ‘M’ followed by two numbers (e.g., M19). See the Red squares in the examples below
- What it means: These two numbers represent the year of manufacture.
- Example: If it says M19, the meter was manufactured in 2019.
- Look at the meter manufacture date where shown
Most heat meters will also explicitly display the full year of manufacture. This can appear in various formats depending on the brand, but it is usually clearly shown on the front face of the unit.
- Check Your Accreditation Date (The “Ofgem Method”)
If you cannot access the meter, can’t find the documentation, or the physical markings are worn off, you should use your original accreditation date
In our experience as an RHI consultancy, this is the date Ofgem uses to determine when they will start recovering payments. For example, if your site was approved on 1st March 2015, you must replace your meter by 1st March 2025. Ofgem will likely recover any money paid to you after that 10-year deadline if the meter hasn’t been changed
How to find your accreditation date: You can find this in your original approval email. If you cannot find that email, follow these steps on the Ofgem RHI Register:
- Log on to the Ofgem Portal.
- Click Payments (circled in red below).
- Click on “View/Submit/Edit Periodic Data and Fuel Measurement”.
- Select your installation from the dropdown menu.
- Scroll to the very bottom of the list to find the first period. The start date of this first entry is your accreditation date.
What to do if your meter is expiring
Time is of the essence. If your meter is due to expire within the next 6 months, you need to plan your replacement immediately. Book your installer now to ensure the work is completed on time. Contact us for a list of installers in your area.
If you discover you are already late, change the meter straight away. Do not delay—do it now to minimise the risk of clawbacks.
Where to Buy RHI-Eligible Heat Meters
If you need a replacement heat meter, here are two reliable UK suppliers that stock MID-approved, RHI-eligible meters:
- MWA Technology – heat and cooling meters:
https://www.mwatechnology.com/ranges/heat-and-cooling-meters/ - DMS Metering Solutions – heating & cooling meters:
https://www.dmsltd.com/d_25_heating-cooling
Always ensure the meter you purchase is MID-approved, correctly sized for your system, and installed by a competent engineer. If you’re unsure what you need, please get in touch.
Navigating Ofgem’s regulations can be tricky. If you are in a predicament regarding your meter dates, or if you need a reliable installer in your area, please speak to us.
As leading RHI consultants, we help businesses across the UK maintain compliance and protect their revenue. Whether you are looking for RHI consultants in Scotland or further afield, our team has the expertise to help you resolve these issues quickly.
📧 rhi@yourenergysource.co.uk
📞 01324 619 425
🌐 yourenergysource.co.uk
RHI heat meter expiry in red and blue box
