Smart Meter: Update
Over the past year or so I have been speaking about how smart meters are rolling out across the UK, in my last post I looked at what some real users of smart meters were saying about how they have helped them really save money on their energy bills.
However, as the months past there are more people having smart meters fitted and us such there is more feedback and information on how they are really working for the people of the UK.
For the basis of this post I am using a survey conducted independently on behalf Smart Energy UK and saw 10,000 people spoken to about their journey with smart meters.
Perhaps one of the biggest findings of this survey is how smart meters are standing the test of time, as researchers have found that 78% of respondents are still checking their meters on a regular (at least a couple of times a month) basis. Meaning it does have staying power and is in fact something that people will keep using month on month to check their energy usage and hopefully see how they can reduce it to keep those bills down.
Other findings from the survey indicate that 84% of people now feel they have a better understanding of the energy usage, while 80% of people with a smart meter have taken at least one step to help bring down their energy bills.
However, most telling of all, when it comes to the acceptance of smart meters in UK homes, is that a huge 79% of the people surveyed would recommend smart meters to friends and family. If you would like to read the full results of the survey just click here.
Personally I will be getting a smart meter fitted when I am offered one, as not only do I like the fact it lets you get a real grasp on the energy you are using around the home, but it also sends readings directly to the company, so no more estimated bills.
If you are yet to have a smart meter fitted, then never fear as everyone in the UK will be offered the chance to upgrade free of charge by 2020.
What do you think of the idea of a smart meter, is it something you are looking to have installed in your home?
*Written in collaboration with Smart Energy GB
This sounds like such a fantastic idea for saving money and reducing energy consumption. I think most people don’t realize how much energy they use with leaving lights on or holding the refrigerator door open for a long time or having AC set super high. Being able to see the numbers probably helps out a lot.
I like the idea of having a smart meter at home but I don’t think we’re anywhere near having one.
I would love to have one. Such a good idea to same some money on electricity bills
I think Smart Meters are a brilliant idea. We don’t currently have one, but I am going to read more into them as we do spend so much on our energy bills!
Smart meter sounds interesting and I’m going to have to look into this for my home.
What a great way to save on utilities!! I know my kids could use some help with remembering to turn off lights.
I think smart meters are great, they definitely help save so much money! We spend next to nothing on our energy bills xx
Smart meters sound like a wonderful, money saving tool! I love having more ways to cut costs!
I like the concept but I’m always wary of anything that sends data about your usage back to a company. It’s a bit big brother.
This is a nice idea. I wish that I can look for this at our local stores in the malls.
Smart meter sounds really awesome! I need to have smaller bills on my electricity.
I haven’t seen anything like that in person. Sounds perfect for our home, we need to conserve energy.
Wow, this could save tons of money. I hope to get one for our home.
What a great meter. This is such a great way to give a tangible way to keep up with energy costs.
This looks like such a good idea! A great way to keep track of money!
xoxo,
Ileana
It definitely is as I think electric is something you have no idea about mostly – I mean I have no idea how much I use day in day out, hopefully something like this would put me back in control. x
I wish we had a Smart Meters here. We just still have the old dial meters.
I wish they have that here, we could have been saving money with our bills too.
Thanks for the article! I am all for saving money where I can!
This is such a smart idea. I’d love to have something this intelligent. I’m sure it a great saving idea.
We don’t have anything like that where I live, but it is such a smart thing to have. I’d love to be able to monitor the energy we use at home, seeing where we can cut some of the monthly household bills!
I get the notifications about changing out our meters but I’ve not really looked into it. Sounds like I need to really look into it.
Definitely worth looking into more and seeing what you think about it 🙂 x
I’ve been trying to save money on my energy. I’d love to have a smart meter fitted in my home. It’s great that everyone will be able to upgrade free in the UK.
THE smart meter sounds like a great idea. Saving money on anything, especially electricity is always a bonus,
This is an interesting post, and it helps for our energy bill.
Smart meters sound like the way to go! I think I need one in my home to help me out.
This is really helpful. Having this at home will definitely make you more aware of your energy consumption and in return, you’ll try to think of ways to conserve it to control your bill as well.
It is such a good idea – I am looking forward to getting ours put in. x
I think it’s the perfect solution for people to be aware of how much energy they’re using. That way they won’t just try to save on their bills but conserve energy as well. It’s definitely better to have this in your home.
It really does help you be more aware of what everything uses it is so easy just to plug things in and leave them on 24/7.
Smart meters are nice, I want one!
Smart meter is so helpful! I think everyone should have it.
They are such a great idea I think and it’s really cool that people get the option to have it for free! x
I appreciate these facts. I definitely have to invest in one of these.
It sounds like these smart meters are really helpful. It’s great that so many people would recommend them to family and friends.
It really is good to see the facts behind them and see what real people think about them. x
i think this is a really good idea for everyone to have! it would be interesting to see just how much energy is used and then try to reduce it!
Most definitely – I bet with some things it would be a lot more then we realise as well. x
I think a smart meter could be a good thing if it helps you reduce the energy you use. It helps to see what you are using to know where to cut.
They definitely sound like they will really help and it is is good to hear that people who have had them for a while now are still using them. x
What a great idea! This would help people to save energy.
It really is such a great idea isn’t it – so good that companies are trying to help you lower the cost of your bills. x
It would definitely be a way to keep track of what you’re spending on energy bills! I am sure most of us have no idea how much the things in our house use.
I have to admit I have no idea – I’ve used a very simple smart meter before but it doesn’t show half as much as these. x
I have been adding smart home features to different parts of my house. This smart meter sounds like a great addition. It would really help me figure out where all the energy is being used.
I already have Hive for my heating – we reviewed it at the old place and I had to have it fitted here as it had saved us so much money, it pays for itself in the long run – I’d love to add some more bits as well. x
Saving money? Count me in! Technology has come a long way and this is just another step in the right direction.
It is amazing how quickly technology is progressing of late – I can’t wait to see what they come up with next. x
I am all about anything that could help reduce energy bills. That is one place where I find it hard to save money.
Same here it is such a big outgoing it is always good to bring it down a little. x
We have one of these and it’s made such a difference! Saving so much money now x
Yay great to hear from people who are actually using one already 🙂 x
I’d love to have one in the house, could make such a difference I imagine!
I like the fact it send through the readings for you as well, as it can be such a pain trying to get them sometimes. x
I think if I had a smart meter my kids would be more conscious of conserving energy, especially if they were competing to keep the number down. Great idea.
I’m hoping it would help my other half as well – then he can see what he is using. Though he hates lights being left on lol. x
I think smart meters are really cool. I need one.
I love this smart meter.
What a great concept. I would think everyone would want to cut down on energy costs. Thanks for sharing!
I think Smart Meters are a great idea. I’m all about looking for ways to save money on my energy bills.
Most definitely – it is really good to know there are ways out there to help us save money. x