WHAT IS A SMART METER?
A smart meter is the next generation of a gas and electricity meter. Smart meters measure how much gas and electricity you’re using, as well as what it’s costing you and display this on a handy in-home display.
HOW DO THEY WORK?
With a smart meter you can wave goodbye to estimated billing. The smart meter shows a digital meter reading and uses a secure smart data network (managed by the DCC) to automatically and wirelessly send the readings to your energy supplier at least once a month, so you will receive accurate, not estimated bills. Smart meters also come with an in-home display screen that shows you exactly how much energy you’re using in pounds and pence, in near real time.
WHY SHOULD I GET A SMART METER?
They could help you save money.
Smart meters come with an in-home display which shows how much energy is being used in near real time. You can see what you’re spending in pounds and pence, which may encourage you to reduce your energy consumption. According to Delta-ee, an energy research company, making small steps in your home could save customers budget in households with medium to high energy consumption.
You’ll be helping us reduce our carbon footprint as a nation.
From the moment your smart meter is installed, you are helping to reduce our carbon emissions as a nation – even without making changes at home to use less energy. This is because smart meters are the foundation to a smarter energy system. With the information they offer we can better integrate renewable power, such as wind, solar and hydro power, and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. By decarbonising our energy system, we will dramatically reduce our nation’s carbon footprint on the whole.
It allows you to better manage your energy
Thanks to the visualisation of your consumption, you will be able to detect consumption peaks, changes compared to previous years and thus adapt your consumption in order to save money.
No need to read your meter
Remote reading of your meter will save you from having to report your meter reading annually, or make an appointment for home reading. However, you will still benefit from the “read by customer” discount if you have activated it in the past.
Coordination of supply and demand
Thanks to smart meters and smart grids, the distribution of energy resources will be optimized. Production, consumption, storage: energy can be distributed intelligently and exploited in a more sustainable and efficient way.
