Smart energy meters for all homes

The Government plans to fit UK homes with energy monitoring devices by 2020 it has been reported, and details of the scheme will begin to emerge this week. It has been predicted that by monitoring gas and electricity use, UK households could save up to £100 on their energy bills per year. Old gas and electricity meters will be ripped out of UK homes and replaced by Smart Meters, details of which will be released by Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc) this Wednesday.

“Smart meters are intelligent electronic electricity and gas readers. They will send accurate information to the energy companies about a household’s consumption, scrapping the need for someone to come and check the meter. It will mean estimated bills are a thing of the past.” Reports the Telegraph.

A centralised hub is expected to be used as a data capture centre to which meter information will be sent. From a central hub, the various energy suppliers will be sent usage data for each household. This method would make it easy for consumers to change suppliers without needing to replace the meter in their home. Decc is expected to lay out the details of how this may work in their report later this week.

As well as the Smart Meter which will be tucked away under the stairs or in a cupboard, it is hoped a small screen will be used by householders to see their energy usage. Which? has warned that without these screens to show people their usage, energy cuts and money savings will be minimal. Read more.