Introducing electric meters
To meter or not to meter electricity on pitches? That is the question many holiday parks have asked in recent years. Almost a third of the adult only parks in our Tranquil Parks group have decided to install them, and it looks like a growing trend.
So why are parks introducing them and how do the schemes work? What should you expect at a park with metered electricity? We asked around our member parks to find out.
Why are parks introducing meters?
Several recent developments have had a huge impact on touring parks and campsites:
- One of the biggest factors is the way energy prices have soared in recent years.
- This is compounded by the growing demand for electricity on the pitch. Modern caravans, motorhomes, campervans and camping equipment now involve a huge range of power-hungry gadgets and technology.
- Plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles mean that a growing number of people also want to charge their vehicles on their pitch (although this is not always possible, whether or not electricity is metered).
- Added to all of this, many parks have a sustainability ethos which means using energy carefully and minimising unnecessary usage.
A quick look at energy prices
Everyone has seen their energy prices surge in recent years. Initially, it was due to the rebound in global demand for energy following the pandemic lockdowns.
But it was the invasion of Ukraine that caused the really big hikes in 2022 – 2024. This is because gas is needed to generate much of our electricity and the war disrupted global gas supplies.
In 2022, domestic customers saw a 54% increase in the price cap. But if you think that’s steep, consider the rises in business tariffs where there is no price cap.
Touring parks have to pay business rates. So when their energy contracts came up for renewal from 2022 onwards, some found their energy costs had become unaffordable!
One park owner told us that as they approached the end of a long term deal in 2023, the cost per kWh almost quadrupled from £0.14/kWh to £0.51 – an increase of 364%. Another found that energy was accounting for 25% of turnover and that something had to be done for the park to be able to continue reinvestment in improvements and remain a sustainable business.
The top chart shows the price of electricity on the wholesale market averaged by month. Source: Ofgem energy data and research wholesale market indicators. The bottom chart shows how increases in domestic gas and electricity prices have only been partly reversed. Source: House of Commons Library Domestic Energy Prices Research Briefing
More power on the pitch
As mentioned above, modern caravans and motorhomes are often larger and with more appliances. Same for tents and camping equipment. Microwaves, fridges, coolboxes and especially heating systems can all be big users of electricity.
It’s worth bearing in mind that low wattage camping appliances and devices are often less efficient than domestic ones. What’s more, caravans and motorhomes do not hold heat like an insulated home.
“Modern vans now have lots of new technologies installed, such as air conditioning, underfloor heating, full sized fridges and freezers, etc – all heavy consumers of power. And so, through careful analysis, we have become aware that not only have energy prices risen, but also usage by some guests has increased too (in some cases it’s doubled)” a park owner told us.
Even though manufacturers are trying to make heating systems more energy efficient, our research suggests that ‘wet’ heating systems are the biggest users of power on the pitch – these are central heating systems which use hot water to circulate warmth.
As one park owner said: “Some of the newer caravans are very heavy on electric, especially the ones with wet central heating systems that are on all the time. These can easily use up £20 per night!”
Added to all the above, some guests now have plug-in hybrid or fully electric vehicles. An average plug-in hybrid could take 20kWh to charge, whereas fully electric cars at the larger end of the scale can take over 100kWh.
Why metering means fairness
When faced with such a dramatic increase in costs, one option for parks is to increase pitch fees. But being aware that everyone is affected by the cost of living crisis, many wanted to keep pitch fees as level as possible.
Park owners have long suspected that electric usage was very different across guests. With metering, guests who are economical with their electricity are not subsidising those who use a lot.
“We have seen a dramatic difference in usage across guests” said Josie from Killiwerris Touring Park. “Once you have seen this and know about it, it is not an option to charge people the same.”
Just because there’s a meter on the pitch, don’t assume you can charge a car there. However, there are some meter systems that do allow you to charge vehicles on the pitch.
“Metering has made it possible for guests to charge up plug-in hybrid cars on the pitch, while those who are merely charging up their phones don’t have to subsidise them,” according to one park owner with smart meters installed.
Upon introducing metering at the start of this season, the Old Oaks stated in a message to guests: “Now, rather than take a wild guess at what the average guest is consuming, we will actually know for sure, at any given moment, and so will you.”
Many guests appreciate this. “Nearly every customer agrees with the concept of paying for usage, rather than applying large increases accross the board” one park told us. “It’s a much fairer system.”
Growing awareness of electricity usage
As a guest, metering lets you monitor your use and become more aware of how much different devices and appliances in your outfit use. This can help with making informed choices, and being more environmentally aware.
Metering is also encouraging the use of solar panels and batteries in touring units, for example, and managing energy use when you’re out, all of which is positive for the environment.
Overbrook Caravan Park gave us a good example of how metering has reduced usage. Prior to a 212% increase in their electricity tariff, the park used 90,000kWh of electricity in its open season. In 2024, its first season with all pitches metered, its usage had more than halved at 35,500kWh!
“We believe that metering on parks will become the norm as tariffs will not return to the levels we’ve previously experienced” says Natalie from Overbrook. “This along with all other rising business costs will influence the decision by park owners to introduce meters to fully cover the electric costs so that pitch fees cover the running costs better.
How does metering work?
Daily allowances
All the parks that have introduced metering have set daily allowances based on average or above average usage. That means if you use an average amount of electricity, you shouldn’t have to pay any extra at all.
You can expect the electricity allowance included in your pitch fees to be somewhere between 6kWh and 12kWh per night, depending on the park and the season i.e. you may get a higher allowance in colder months. Alternatively, it could be a monetary amount – usually somewhere between £2 and £7 per night.
One park owner said that smaller touring units and experienced caravanners can often find they do not need to buy extra electricity, especially between the months of May to September. What’s more, some systems let you ‘pause’ the electricity supply to your pitch if you go out for the day.
Data collected at The Old Oaks shows that during April 2025, 90% of guests paid no additional cost or very little extra to go above the allowance.
Topping up credit
At some parks, if you need additional electricity you’ll be able to top up and if you don’t use all the electricity you have purchased, you may get it refunded, although many guests donate small amounts to charity.
At Overbrook Caravan Park, credit can be purchased in reception in £1 denominations with residual credit refunded, transferred to future bookings or donated to charity.
Some parks have card systems. At South Wales Touring Park this is included in your welcome pack. The park will refund additional unused credit at the end of your stay. The electricity allowance that’s included in the pitch fees is not refundable and the park will donate any of this unused credit to Wales Air Ambulance.
Other parks are using an app for additional electricity usage. If you prefer not to use apps and online banking, there are other ways to pay, such as receiving a printout of electricity use at the end of your stay and paying cash.
Is there money in metering for the parks?
The law is very clear that electricity cannot be sold on for a profit. Ofcom says: “The maximum price at which it can be resold is the same price as that paid by the person who is reselling it”in its document on the resale of gas and electricity.
Also, it’s worth pointing out that as a guest you do not pay a standing charge.
Be aware that a park’s energy tariff is likely to be higher than a domestic one. So electricity will usually cost more on a park than at home. (One exception is Overbrook Caravan Park, where they’ve managed to secure a rate on a par with domestic rates at 21p per kWh.)
Thank you to our wonderfully supportive guests for being so understanding!
Tips to optimise your power usage:
- Don’t leave heating or hot water on all day and night, especially when you go out, and don’t heat outside spaces.
- Certain types of boiler are much more efficient than others. Gas is more efficient for heating and hot water.
- Only run appliances when necessary. Turn off electronics, lights and TV when not in use.
- Use battery monitors or consider a second battery for backup power.
- Consider solar panels to keep your battery charging.