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.