white meter
C2Technical / UK Regional / Formal
Definition
Meaning
A UK-specific electricity meter that measures off-peak electricity usage at a cheaper, typically nighttime rate, often used for storage heaters.
More broadly, any meter or tariff system designed to offer a lower rate for energy consumption during specific, predetermined off-peak hours to encourage demand shifting. The term originates from the common colour of the physical meter box.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a fixed compound noun specific to the UK energy market. It is synonymous with 'Economy 7 meter' (the name of the specific tariff it enables). The 'white' refers to the meter's casing, not the energy. Not a general term for any meter.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'white meter' is exclusively British. In American English, the equivalent concepts are 'time-of-use meter', 'TOU meter', or 'off-peak meter'.
Connotations
In the UK, it connotes older heating systems (storage heaters), potential cost savings, and a specific historical tariff structure. In the US, equivalent terms are more modern, tech-oriented, and associated with smart grids.
Frequency
Common in UK property and energy discussions; extremely rare to non-existent in American English, where the specific term is not used.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[property/house] HAS a white meter[utility company] INSTALLS a white meter[tenant] IS ON a white meter tariffVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not applicable for this technical term]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used by energy suppliers, landlords, and property managers when discussing tariffs and billing arrangements for properties.
Academic
Appears in papers on UK energy policy, demand-side management, and the history of domestic electricity tariffs.
Everyday
Used by UK residents discussing their home electricity setup, especially in flats or older homes with storage heaters.
Technical
A specific type of metering hardware and its associated tariff programming within the UK energy infrastructure.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- We're in a white-meter property, so the heating works differently.
- The white-meter tariff is no longer offered to new customers.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Our flat has a white meter for electricity.
- You can save money if you use appliances at night with a white meter.
- The landlord needs to explain how the white meter system works.
- Properties with outdated white meter systems often face higher daytime rates, negating the benefit of the off-peak tariff.
- The decision to phase out white meters in favour of smart meters has been controversial.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a white box on the wall that meters your electricity, but gives you a 'white flag' (truce/cheaper rate) at night.
Conceptual Metaphor
METERING IS COLOUR-CODING (White = special off-peak rate).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'белый счетчик'—this is meaningless. Use 'двухтарифный счетчик' or explain the 'Economy 7' system.
- The 'white' is not descriptive of quality ('чистый'), but a literal colour label.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'white meter' to refer to a smart meter (it's different).
- Assuming it's a universal term for cheap electricity.
- Using the term outside a UK context.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'white meter' correctly used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A white meter is an older, simpler dual-rate meter for a specific off-peak tariff (like Economy 7). A smart meter digitally sends readings and can support various dynamic tariffs.
In the UK, the classic 'white meter' for the original Economy 7 tariff is largely obsolete for new installations. Energy suppliers now offer modern time-of-use tariffs, often using smart meters.
It literally refers to the common colour of the physical meter box installed in homes to signify it was for the off-peak tariff.
No. It is a uniquely UK term. Other countries use terms like 'time-of-use (TOU) meter' or 'off-peak meter'.