Energy News

Smaller energy bills with smart meters

Tuesday 12 May, 2009

By becca.talbot@consumerchoices.co.uk

Every household in the UK is to be fitted with a 'smart meter' to help monitor gas and electricity use and reduce bills.

All homes in Britain will have the meters installed by 2020 under government plans set out yesterday.

Smart meters allow energy suppliers to take meter readings remotely. They also have a digital screen which gives customers real time information on their energy use.

Ed Miliband, the energy and climate change secretary, said: “The meters most of us have in our homes were designed for a different age. Smart meters will empower all consumers to monitor their own energy use and make reductions in energy consumption.”

The government hopes the smart meters, which are planned to be provided by the energy suppliers, will help people cut their bills, as well as making the suppliers more efficient by ending estimated billing.

Recent figures show that almost 11 million consumers have unexpectedly owed money to their energy supplier following billing problems caused by estimated and actual meter readings.

If plans go ahead, the smart meter rollout will make Britain the first country in the world to have an overhaul of this size for both electricity and gas meters.

Chris Eagle, commercial manager at EnergyChoices.co.uk said: “Smart meters will help us all cut down on the amount of gas and electricity we use, and will help reduce our energy bills, as well as our carbon footprint.”

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