Smart meters – the latest news
Last year I spoke about how smart meters can help you save energy around you home, as they allow you to see in real-time how much energy you are using by not turning off your lights, or filling the kettle up each time you want to boil it. They also send information back to your energy company, so you don’t have to worry about estimated bills ever again.
But many people and perhaps rightly so as we are human, remain sceptical about how a smart meter can really help you and are worried about the roll out which is happening across the UK will affect them. So how are real people who have been using this technology finding it?
Smart Energy GB recently polled 10,000 people on their attitudes to energy and smart meters and their findings show that it really is helping a number of people across the UK, get control of what they are spending when it comes to energy.
For a start check out this case study of Ian from County Durham, who is seeing a huge difference in his bills, after buying many energy efficient gadgets and while he might have spent over £300 on them, he has still saved more than he has spent – amazing.
When it came to the poll of 10,000 people I think the main points that jumped out at me and show how successful changing to a smart meter could be are:
More than half (52 per cent) of people with smart meters say their new meter is helping them save money.
Eight in ten (79 per cent) people with a smart meter would recommend them to others.
85 per cent of those using smart meters say they have a better understanding of what they are spending on energy.
It is also interesting to note that more people think their energy bills are accurate, as well as finding the bill itself easier to understand once they have made the switch to smart meters.
Personally, we have yet to switch to a full smart meter, however, it is something I am personally looking forward to as I believe it will make the recording and sending of energy usage to the companies we use, a lot easier. Plus our electric meter is in such a hard-to-reach location it is nearly impossible to get down to it once a month to get a true reading.
What do you think about these findings, are you looking forward to moving over to a smart meter?
*Smart meter image from Shutterstock.
Part of me says these are great I need one. Then I think no, I’d end up killing the kids if I could see exactly what each electrical item/light was costing me!
I remember when smart meters were first introduced. Not a lot of people wanted them. We actually have one installed in our home.
Oh how I wish I had something like this here. It would be nice to keep track of my utilities. Maybe we can have something like this soon.
I’ve never heard of a smart reader before. I am very interested in getting one now.
We don’t have smart meters where I live, but maybe it’s not too far in our future. Our energy company has started sending out energy reports telling us some of the same things the meters do. Sounds like we are behind the curve.
We had a smart reader in our old house, and it was over 100 years old and it was amazing seeing just how much money we wasted on energy “/
Still not sure if I’m sold on these or not, but enjoyed reading 🙂
I haven’t heard of these being used very much here in the US, but I wouldn’t be opposed to it. I love how you can see in real time whether you’re really saving on energy.
I as so ready to try a smart meter. It would in my opinion be more true reading than a meter. This is indeed awesome information for those who want to save on energy bills each month.
I need to install that in my flat that i just moved in. In my former home, i had something likewise, showing the kwh consumption and helped me a bit curious on how i really spend.
I wish I could get a smart meter. Would love to be able to monitor my consumption.
Very true, thanks for sharing this info. I’d love to use a smart meter. 🙂
These are such great tips and such helpful info for keeping home costs down. My sister just got a Nest installed in her house and she has noticed a positive change already.
oh I sire need one of these my monthly direct debits work out that we use £37 a week on our electric and I would love to see whats eating it up
Great post, thank you. My supplier keeps on about me switching to a smart meter but I was sceptical. I think I will have another look now! Kaz x
I do need to look into this. I’m definitely interested in trying them out.
I haven’t even heard of them before so this is defiantly great post. Thank you so much and I will defiantly be looking into this!
I think smart meters are the way forward for measuring your usage over a period of time and is something we should all invest in!
We have a smart meter and it really makes us think about our energy use.
My dad has had one of these installed in his house but his bills are still so high…. think thats more to do with the fact that I have the tumble dryer on constantly!! xxx
I need one of these in our house! I am sure there are ways we can trim our costs that we aren’t even aware of and this would totally help us do it. With the cost of everything going up we need to save now more than ever!
There’s some unanswered questions around smart meters. I know they can collect all your data, even down to what you’re watching on telly. I know of cases in the US where they sell your data on.
I really want to get a smart reader fitted I think they are a great way to help reduce energy waste X
I really need a smart meter! It would really help me cut down on using energy that doesn’t need to be used, I imagine I’d save SO much money. I’m definitely going to look into it.
This is the first time that I’m hearing about smart meter. But I do see how handy it is to have especially if you are the one paying for your own utility bills. I hope we have a similar product here in my country soon.
Reading your post has made me think maybe we should look into smart meters, our energy usage is big as are our bills.
I live in a flat so I just use the energy provider that I was given when I moved in, not even sure if I can change it and I don’t pay as much attention to how much energy I use as I should. X
I will be honest, I didn’t know much about them and haven’t looked into them at all but they sound so good! My husband is terrible for leaving lights and leaving the water running, it drives me crazy as I am concious of how much we are using and paying for so I think one of these would be really useful in our house
WE don’t have one in our place at the moment, but we had one in a previous property and it really does save money. They’re great. We ‘re looking at moving, but when we move to our new place (fingers crossed hopefully this year) I’ll want smart meters put in!
i am just doing live lagom so i am controlling the energy in my home, i think smetime people are not aware how much we can save!
We use a lot of energy in our home and could really do with one of these meters, definitely something to think about.
We ought to instal these in our home. Our electricity bill is unbelievable!
We ought to instal these in our home. Our electricity bill is unbelievable!
The sooner we get ours the better. No more having to battle with my energy supplier over changing direct debit amounts x
I’d love to try using a smart meter; I bet it’s fascinating to see how much energy you could save!
Interesting smart meters review – we recently got one from utilita and it really makes life so much easier ! No having to run out of gas and electric and resetting plus you can top up from home