Smart meters: helping families take control of their energy
Sara Higham, Director of Corporate Affairs
| Smart Energy GB
Across Great Britain, many homes are still feeling the pressure of high energy costs. Smart meters are already helping people in their everyday lives by giving them clearer information, more accurate bills and supporting them in managing their energy use
A smart meter can make energy feel less uncertain and easier to manage. It is a small change in the home that can make a real difference to how people understand and use energy.
What is a smart meter?
Smart meters are replacing traditional gas and electricity meters in homes across Great Britain. They automatically send meter readings to energy suppliers, so people no longer have to submit readings manually, and bills can be based on actual energy use rather than estimates, helping to prevent people from receiving bill shock.
How do smart meters help households?
- They help people feel more in control of their bills. Smart meters come with an in-home display that shows energy use in pounds and pence. This can help people see how much energy they are using day-to-day, understand which appliances cost more to run, and make informed choices about where they may be able to reduce or shift their usage. For homes with prepayment meters, the benefits can be even greater. A smart prepayment meter can make it easier to top up remotely (so no need to leave the house if they can’t or don’t want to), check credit, see if balances are running low, and receive support payments directly onto the meter (such as the Warm Home Discount). That can make managing energy simpler and much less stressful.
- They can open up more ways to save. It’s easier than you think to use energy flexibly and get rewarded with a smart meter. Many energy suppliers now offer flexible tariffs and schemes that offer cheaper electricity at certain times of day, or at weekends, or when more renewable energy is available. This can mean lower costs, bill credits, points, or even periods of free electricity.
- They help make the energy transition work for ordinary families. Smart meters are more than a technology upgrade; they empower people so that they can benefit from a cleaner, more flexible energy system. As more renewable power comes onto the grid, smart meters can help people use energy when it is cheaper and cleaner, while reducing pressure on the system at peak times.
Smart meters can give households the tools to understand more about their energy use, access new offers and play a part in building a modern energy system that is more efficient and better for everyone.
Click here to hear industry experts explain more about how smart meters can support people and help build a cleaner, fairer energy system. Find out more at www.smartenergygb.org.
