Five reasons to get a smart meter
Andrew Stuckey • May 15, 2020
Where once smart meters were seen as the type of gadget you'd expect to find on the set of a sci-fi movie, today they are finally starting to make their way into even the most modest of homes here in Britain.
Making life easier for bill payers, smart meters automatically send readings to energy suppliers, while a system of constant monitoring makes it much easier to see how much energy is being used each day.
Every year, more and more people have made the move away from their old, clunky systems, opting instead for a futuristic smart meter. In fact, according to recent research, almost three million smart meters have been installed since March 2016 - and given some of the reasons listed below, it's easy to see why.
Quick and easy
Providing you're the main account holder on your property's gas and electricity bills, getting a smart meter couldn't be easier. The government has played its part in this, and have stated that by 2020, all homes and small businesses will have smart meters installed by their energy company – a figure that's highly ambitious, but by no means unachievable.
Contacting your energy supplier is one of the easiest ways of finding out whether or not you can get your hands on a smart meter, but for those that prefer to do their research online, this handy site has gathered a range of information that highlights each supplier's stance, and the options available to those wanting to make the move to a smart meter.
In terms of payment, the majority of smart meters cost nothing upfront, although users may find that they have been charged around £6 on top of their annual bills to cover the rollout cost.
Don't burn . . . budget!
Leaving the odd light on or forgetting to turn off everyday appliances are things that most people have been guilty of now and again – and although they seem harmless at the time, even the smallest slip-up can soon end up costing the bill payer a small sum at the end of each year.
That's why smart meters are so great. Not only do they provide a constant link between your home and your supplier, they also allow you to set daily budgeting targets, to really incentivise even the most forgetful hands to turn off everything when it's not in use.
Smarter meters, smarter wallets
One of the main reasons people get smart meters is to save money. We've already touched upon how this can be done by budgeting, but what about the actual functionality of a smart meter – can that really help a bill payer to save?
In short, yes they can! Because smart meters put an end to estimated bills, the days of abnormally high bills and approximations can finally be laid to rest, meaning you'll only ever be charged for the energy you use, rather than the energy your supplier thinks you've used.
Smart meters give the power back to you. Just imagine, no more nasty surprises falling onto your doormat straight after Christmas – perfect!
Good for one, great for all
Since the Industrial Revolution, CO2 levels have risen considerably, causing melting ice caps, polluted cities and rising sea levels across the globe. Over the years, the burning of fossil fuels has contributed to this – which is perhaps one of the greatest reasons behind the EU's plans to roll out smart meters to the masses.
Non-renewable energy sources, whether we like it or not, still provide the majority of our energy – and smart meters have been seen as a tool that can be used in order to reduce society's dependence on things such as oil, gas and coal. A positive move, not just for your wallet, but for the wider world too.
Switching it up
One thing that puts a lot of people off getting a smart meter is the fear that once they've got one, they'll be tied to a certain supplier and won't be able to switch. This isn't the case and the energy regulatory body, Ofgem, has already put in place a series of rules that enable people to switch suppliers, regardless of any smart meter they've had installed.
While most suppliers now support the technology, fears still remain that one or two cannot – so what should you do if you want to switch to one of these suppliers? Luckily, all smart meters will turn to 'dumb mode' temporarily until the new secure national communication has launched.
For more money saving tips and ideas, take a look around our ‘Money Matters’ blog.