Smart meters: helping households take control of their energy

As we head into the colder months and with energy costs expected to rise again, many households across Scotland will be looking for practical ways to save money on energy bills. Smart meters are already helping people in their everyday lives by giving them clearer information, more accurate bills and supporting them in managing their energy use.

4 in 5 people in Scotland are happy with their smart meter: they can make energy feel less uncertain and easier to manage. It is a small change in the home that can make a real difference to how people understand and use energy.

How do smart meters help households?

1. They help people feel more in control of their bills. Smart meters come with an in-home display that shows energy use in pounds and pence. This can help people see how much energy they are using day-to-day, understand which appliances cost more to run, and make informed choices about where they may be able to reduce or shift their usage. 
    
   For homes with prepayment meters, the benefits can be even greater. A smart prepayment meter can make it easier to top up remotely (so no need to leave the house if they can’t or don’t want to), check credit, see if balances are running low, and receive support payments directly onto the meter (such as the Warm Home Discount). That can make managing energy simpler and much less stressful.

2. They can open up more ways to save. It’s easier than you think to use energy flexibly and get rewarded with a smart meter. Many energy suppliers now offer flexible tariffs and schemes that offer cheaper electricity at certain times of day, or at weekends, or when more renewable energy is available. This can mean lower costs, bill credits, points or even periods of free electricity.

3. They help make the energy transition work for ordinary families. Smart meters are more than a technology upgrade; they empower people so that they can benefit from a cleaner, more flexible energy system. As more renewable power comes onto the grid, smart meters can help people use energy when it is cheaper and cleaner, while reducing pressure on the system at peak times.

Smart meters give households the tools to better understand their energy use more, access new offers and play a part in building a modern energy system that is more efficient and better for everyone. There’s never been a better time for households to be more in control of their energy – smart meters are a good place to start.

Keeping in touch: We invite MSPs and their staff to visit our exhibition in Scottish Parliament from Tuesday 10th November-Thursday 12th November. The Smart Energy GB team will be on hand with practical information and sharable resources on smart meters, winter energy support and energy tips for households.

We will be running future online briefings through our Smart Energy Academy for MSPs, with shareable resources and practical information about smart meters and energy. You can visit the dedicated website here: www.smartenergygb.org/smart-energy-academy.

For more information please contact: Lyndsey.Croal@smartenergyGB.org

This article is sponsored by Smart Energy GB

smartenergygb.org