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Ask Our Expert
Is the EnergySmart monitor a smart meter?
Dear Chris, I’ve seen that British Gas is offering customers EnergySmart monitors, which they say mean you don’t get estimated bills anymore.
I was just wondering, are these the same kind of thing as the smart meters that the government keeps talking about?
Sorry if this is a stupid question.
Yours sincerely,
Joan Bower, via email, Tuesday 8 December, 2009
Our energy expert says...
On the contrary Joan, this isn’t a stupid question at all – in fact I expect it’s one that many people are pondering.
British Gas’ new monitors are actually quite different to smart meters, but this isn’t obvious as it has confusingly called them EnergySmart monitors.
There are similarities between these EnergySmart monitors and the smart meters which the government plans to have in every UK home by 2020. Crucially, both EnergySmart monitors and smart meters show you how much electricity you are currently using and so should help you monitor and reduce your energy consumption.
However, there is an important difference between them. While smart meters will be able to communicate with your energy supplier (probably wirelessly), providing accurate meter readings, EnergySmart monitors do not have this function.
This means that to banish estimated bills, you must input your EnergySmart monitor readings online yourself each month.
Energy monitors and smart meters compared
| Energy monitors | Smart meters | |
| Shows you how much energy you are using | Yes | Yes |
| Submits meter readings to your supplier for you | No | Yes |
Is it worth getting an EnergySmart monitor?
The government’s wide-scale roll-out of smart meters in expected to take 10 years, so it may be some time until you get a smart meter installed in your home.
In the meantime, getting an energy monitor should help you become more energy conscious, helping to reduce your consumption and your energy bills.
British Gas’ research shows that customers could save around £110 a year on their energy bills, simply by seeing how much energy they are using as it helps them cut down their usage.
If you are currently a British Gas customer, you can request a free EnergySmart monitor (on most tariffs), if you sign up to the EnergySmart scheme.
Note that this scheme requires you to manage your account online, enter monthly meter readings and pay your bills monthly by direct debit or by credit or debit card.
Request a free EnergySmart monitor
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