Smart Meters- The Real Truth

Smart Energy GB, the voice of the smart meter rollout, today publishes Smart energy outlook, the largest independent barometer of national public opinion on energy and smart meters.

This latest edition of Smart energy outlook shows that over eight in ten (81 per cent) of people who have upgraded to a smart meter would recommend them to others.

Consistent with previous Smart energy outlook reports, the latest round of research shows that a large majority of people with smart meters are using the technology on a regular basis to keep their energy costs under control. Eighty two per cent of people with smart meters are taking steps to reduce their energy use.

Smart energy outlook also shows the importance of in-home displays (IHDs) in helping people get their gas and electricity under control. IHDs are handheld devices that show at a glance, in pounds and pence and in near real time, how much energy is being used. Every household is offered one, at no extra cost, when they get their smart meters from their suppliers.

The research shows that those who have IHDs are using them regularly to save energy. Eight out of ten people with an IHD check it regularly. Nearly nine in ten (88 per cent) of those with an IHD say that they have a better idea of what they’re spending on energy, compared to 76 per cent of those who have a smart meter but not an IHD.

Smart energy outlook is carried out for Smart Energy GB, twice a year, by independent research agency Populus. It surveys more than 10,000 people around the country. The report has found:

• Over eight in ten (81 per cent) of people with a smart meter would recommend them to other

• Over eight in ten (82 per cent) of people with a smart meter have taken at least one step to reduce their energy us

• Eight in ten people with an IHD use it regularly (at least a few times per month)

• 88 per cent of those with an IHD say that they have a better idea of what they’re spending on energy, compared to 76 per cent who have a smart meter but no IHD

Everyone in Great Britain will be offered a smart meter by their energy supplier between now and 2020, at no additional cost. Smart meters bring an end to estimated bills and show people what they’re spending in pounds and pence, in near real time via an IHD.

Commenting on the findings, Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Smart Energy GB, said:

“It’s great to see so many people using and loving their smart meters. Eight out of ten say they would recommend one, which is an exceptionally high level of approval.

“Millions of homes are already enjoying the benefits of accurate bills and the ability to see, in pounds and pence, how much gas and electricity they are using. I hope that many more people pick up the phone to ask their energy supplier for their smart meter, so that they too can start enjoying these benefits.”