Energy News

Energy Providers Move Toward Smart Meters

Wednesday 27 February, 2008

By Denae D’Arcy

Energy companies in the UK may be forced by the EU to provide customers with ‘smart meters’ by the end of May.

Smart meters can be installed wherever convenient and monitor where energy is specifically being used throughout the day. Some versions of smart meters can also be installed on a computer and updated through the internet.

Terry Slavin of The Guardian cites a Perthshire couple, the Bowmans, who ditched their electric kettle after their smart meter showed a huge leap in energy consumption each time the kettle was used.

Clive Bowman said:

"Your electricity consumption is running along at a steady 200 to 300 watts an hour," he says, "but when you put the kettle on, there is a horrific jump to 2,000 watts. That's scary." Bowman and his wife now use a kettle heated on their wood stove.

The argument over smart meters is being played out between Ofgem and energy companies. The contentious issues are how the devices should be provided to customers, and who will foot the bill for replacing some estimated 45 million gas and electricity meters in the UK?

Chris Eagle, Commercial Manager for EnergyChoices.co.uk supports the use of smart meters because he says they are better for the consumer:

“Used to be…customers knew nothing about their gas or electricity meter and it just sat in some dank space under the stairwell. With smart meters people can become active in their energy use and decide not to run their dishwasher during peak times to save money. Also with smart meters energy companies can no longer charge a flat rate for energy after reading the meter a few times a year. Smart meters are constantly updating the reading to give an accurate picture of energy usage.”

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