Smart metres are a form of expert system with performance features beyond energy‐consumption record keeping, to include monitoring, analysing, and estimating metre readings. Although smart metres have great capabilities, this technology is still in its infancy in many developing countries, and little is known about the kinds of risks associated with smart metres from residents' perspectives. This research therefore aims to fill this gap by examining the influence of four different types of perceived risk on residents' intentions to use smart metres in Jordan. By following a quantitative approach, 242 survey responses were tested by using structural equation modelling–partial least squares. The statistical results indicated that perceived security and technical risks have a significant and negative impact on residents' intentions to use smart metres. However, perceived privacy and health risks, surprisingly, were found to have no significant negative influence on intention to use. Theoretical and practical implications are indicated, and directions of future research are subsequently specified.