5 most common myths about remote meter reading

Why it’s time to prepare for the new reality before 2027? From 1 January 2027, the European Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) will require that all consumption meters and metering systems support remote access to usage data. Although the technology is readily available, there are still wide spread misconceptions about how remote reading works and what it involves. In this article, we break down five of the most common myths – and explain what’s actually true today.

Myth 1: Remote reading requires replacing all existing meters

"We'll have to throw away everything and start from scratch."

This is a common concern that causes many organisations to delay digitalisation.

REALITY: Replacing every meter is not necessary. Solutions like ACRIOS retrofit converters make it possible to upgrade your existing infrastructure with add-on communication modules – enabling remote data access without major investment or construction work.

Myth 2: Remote reading isn’t reliable

"What if the data fails to transmit or doesn't arrive on time?"

Reliability is a frequent worry, especially in large or complex buildings.

REALITY: Modern technologies like NB-IoT, M-Bus or LoRaWAN are designed for stable, long-range data transmission, even in technically challenging environments. With proper planning and testing, you can expect consistent and timely delivery of consumption data. And that’s exactly what EED implicitly requires: reliable access to accurate, regular readings.

Myth 3: Data transmission isn’t secure

"What about GDPR? Could the data be intercepted or misused?"

As awareness of data protection increases, concerns about transmission security grow.

REALITY: Data transmission is encrypted and protected to the same standard as secure corporate communications. In most cases, remote meter data doesn’t qualify as personal data – it reflects technical usage values. ACRIOS solutions also include detailed user access management, meeting both GDPR and EED expectations for data accessibility and safety.

Myth 4: Installation is complicated and expensive

"We’ll need permits, technical designs, system downtime... it's too much."

This is a common assumption among smaller building managers or municipalities.

REALITY: With modular systems like ACRIOS, installation is fast, simple, and doesn’t require service interruption. No complex paperwork or infrastructure changes are needed. Better yet, you can roll out the system gradually, aligning it with your budget and technical capacity.

Myth 5: Remote reading is only for big organisations

"We’re just a small building association – this probably doesn’t apply to us."

This misconception is especially common among residential building associations or small-scale building owners.

REALITY: The EED applies to all energy consumption metering – large or small. And smaller users actually stand to benefit most from remote reading: real-time insights, alerts for anomalies, and full access to historical data at any time. Digitalisation isn’t a luxury; it’s a practical upgrade that supports smarter, more efficient energy use.

Final thought: EED is coming. Are you ready?

European legislation is moving clearly towards transparency, data-driven decisions, and shared responsibility for consumption. Remote meter reading is a key step in that transformation.