The government is proposing that by 2020, every home in the UK will have a smart meter installed. This is quite an ambitious target and the government is keen to get the word out. The smart meter will change the way consumers use their energy. The suppliers use the meters to record customer’s gas and electricity use, and together with display device, they let consumers see how much energy they are using. It means that houseowners will not have to stay at home for meter readings. It also means that they will not have to deal with over-estimated bills.
With the changing economic climate, many of the experts on energy and climate change recognise that the meters we currently have in our homes are not suited to our needs any more. A major concern for most consumers today is the need to be more careful with their money.
The government’s proposals for the smart meter
Consumers will be able to make reductions in their energy consumption with a smart meter installed in their homes. The smart meter will help them monitor their energy use and make the necessary adjustments. This is a huge project, one that will take time and affect millions of homes and businesses.
The government has set out some proposals as a way of rolling out the smart meters across the UK. The first one allows the energy suppliers to take all the responsibilities, which include the supply and installation, and the data management.
The second proposal is that the energy suppliers take on the responsibility for the maintenance and installation of the meters, however, have a third part handle the energy data. It is this option that the government is favouring.
Has there been a missed opportunity?
Many of the leading manufacturers are encouraging the government’s proposals, however are concerned that the delay in the enforcement will result in a missed opportunity for people to upgrade their heating systems. The figures demonstrate that there are around 17 million standard boilers that are still being used across the country.
Many see the advantages of having a device available at home that informs homeowners of their energy use. However, the longer the delay, the more people that will miss out on upgrading. Those that are taking the environmental stance argue that using a standard efficiency boiler can be environmentally unfriendly.
The smart meters are beneficial in allowing suppliers to record customer’s gas and electricity usage, and letting consumers know how much energy they are consuming on a daily basis. It has been estimated that around 26 million electricity and and 22 million gas meters will need to be fitted at a cost of 7 billion.
Some of the experts that are pushing for these smart meters to be put in every home are claiming that this device will revolutionise the way households consume energy.
Some key features
Estimated bills will be a thing of the past, as the information will be sent straight to the energy supplier
The displays are designed in a way that is easily readable and understandable
People will be able to monitor their energy use at their own discretion
Tal Potishman, editor of Heating Central, writes articles about boiler, central heating, plumber Peterborough, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating.
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