Smart meters, quite simply, are a newer type of meter that record how much gas and electricity you and/or your business uses, and provide automatic readings to your energy supplier. All energy suppliers must aim to install smart meters in every home and business as part of the government's roll-out plan, which is key to achieving a low-carbon, efficient, and reliable way of providing gas and electricity to Great Britain.
Six reasons why smart meters are a smart idea:
1. Accurate not estimated!
Smart meters will show you the cost and amount of energy you are using, updating every 30 minutes for gas and in near real-time for electricity. This means that you are paying for exactly what you're using, as opposed to suppliers estimating how much you use each month, resulting in inaccurate billing.
2. Reduces your energy consumption and carbon footprint
The In-Home Display on a smart meter can show you exactly how much energy you’re using, meaning you can closely track your usage and spend. It can also highlight where and when you are using more energy or if there's any sudden spikes, it will help to identify any faulty appliances, so you can ensure it's dealt with efficiently and safely. Monitoring your energy consumption keeps you in control and encourages good habits. Cutting down on unnecessary usage is a step towards net zero and reducing your carbon footprint.
3. No need to submit meter readings
Sit back and relax knowing your meter is doing the work for you by sending accurate information to your energy supplier.
4. It's free... currently!
Right now, as part of the government's roll out plan, your supplier is responsible for fitting any smart metering equipment for free. This includes:
- a smart electricity and gas meter
- an in-home display
- a communications hub that sends and receives information over a secure network to your in-home display and to your supplier, so they can take remote readings and bill you accurately.
5. Access to broad range, and potentially cheaper, tariffs
Smart meters will record your energy use every 30 minutes; therefore, suppliers could offer you tariffs that reduce your charges if you use power when it is cheaper for them to buy it on the wholesale market. Not only that, the shift towards renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, could mean a cheaper supply to you on a sunny or windy day.
6. Saving the planet
Smart meters are key to our shift towards a cleaner, more reliable energy system. According to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, the rollout of smart meters is delivering more benefits to the country than it is costing to deliver, with 55% of all meters in Great Britain now smart or advanced, and 28.1 million operating in smart mode. Improved awareness of energy usage estimates a 24% decrease in emissions from homes and business by 2023, according to Smart Energy GB.
Smart meters are also helping to reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels. Innovative smart tariffs allow consumers to save money by using energy out of peak times or when there is excess clean electricity available.
If you're looking at ways to decrease your energy consumption and save money, or simply want us to help you find the best deal, give the team a call on 024 7669 6512 or email [email protected]