What are Smart Meters?
Smart meters and you
In 2014, the UK government announced ambitious plans to ensure that every home and small business should be offered a smart meter – at no extra cost to the consumer – by the end of 2020. Earlier this year, the roll out of smart meters was extended to 2025.
This initiative is designed to lower energy usage, encourage renewable energy generation and tackle global warming.
The future is smart
Smart meters are a key part of the plan to update the existing national grid – the network for gas and electricity transmission – into a smarter, greener grid, fit for future generations.
Smart meters allow the accurate, real-time measurement of energy across all parts of the network, which helps to balance both supply and demand, optimising the service for consumers.
What is a smart meter?
Just like a traditional gas or electricity meter, smart meters measure energy use over time.
Smart meters however are the next generation of energy meters, communicating real-time energy usage to your energy supplier.
It means that you can keep track of how much electricity or gas you are using and identify ways to make energy savings.
Smart meters are a great way of keeping on top of energy costs, as they show you just how much your appliances are actually costing you to use.
What can a smart meter do for you?
- A smart meter is the next generation of a gas and electricity meter that can digitally send meter readings to your energy supplier for more accurate energy bills
- Smart meters come with in-home displays so you can better understand your energy usage. This display gives the household real-time usage info, including kWh use and cost
- Every home in Britain should have been offered a smart meter from their supplier by the end of 2025.
- Smart meters put consumers in control of their energy use, allowing them to adopt energy efficiency measures that can help save money on their energy bills and offset price increases
A smarter future
Smart meters will bring Britain’s energy generation and distribution system into the 21st century.
Environmental benefits
They will help the nation to conserve energy which, in turn, benefits the environment.
A smart gird
They are able to supply more reliable, efficient and low-carbon energy with better management of valuable energy resources. Learn more.
Smarter technology
In partnership with the national grid, smart meters will support emerging technologies such as fridge-freezers being able to shut off for short periods at peak times; washing machines and dishwashers being able to make use of off-peak tariffs and electric vehicles which will help us to meet our climate goals.
Energy savings
If the whole nation had smart meters installed, we could save the same amount of energy as it takes to power every household in Aberdeen, Cardiff and Manchester for a year.
Any Questions?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aenean elit orci, condimentum ac diam a, euismod suscipit ante. Pellentesque eget dui neque. Nunc sed aliquet nisl. Sed ac arcu congue, mattis ligula non, fringilla mi.
Suppliers install smart meters at no extra cost to the bill payer
Yes, however there are potential complications as some meters may lose their smart functionality. Contact your supplier for more information.
All households in the UK must be offered a smart meter from their supplier by 2025 or you can contact your supplier directly.
Energy suppliers will arrange to install the smart meter, usually through a company that specialises in smart meters.
According to Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), all smart meters have to pass the same safety regulations as any other in-house technology.
Please ensure you make your supplier aware of any renewable energy generators, as this may affect the performance of the smart meter and should be assessed prior to installation.
