You’ve probably seen the Albert Einstein advert on TV asking you to “Join the quiet revolution”, which is the Smart Energy GB government-backed campaign to help Britain understand the importance of smart meters and their benefits to people and the environment.
Rob Anderson Director at D&A Procurement says: “ If you’re serious about helping to tackle the climate crisis, having a smart meter is not optional it is a must in the future, because if we all make little changes to take control, monitor and use less energy that becomes a big difference, which will not only lower our bills, but reduce our carbon footprint as well.”
From January 2022 all energy suppliers will have binding annual installation targets with the government to offer free smart and advanced meters to their remaining non-smart home and small business customers by the end of 2025, so no more estimated bills or supplying meter readings.
The 1st generation advanced meters (SMETS1) installed since 2013 don’t have a display feature to monitor usage and don’t always allow you to switch supplier without losing the ability to send readings automatically. The 2nd generation smart meters known as (SMETS2), installed since 2018 are made up of 2 parts the meter itself with a built-in communication hub and some form of portable display or online app showing you the usage data shared with your supplier in pounds and pence.
“The government has put in place a programme to move the SMETS1 advanced meters onto the new network, giving them the same benefits as the new ones and if yours is not compatible then it will be replaced with one that can.” Added Rob
Having a smart meter fitted in your home or business is optional, but for the desired effect to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions we all need to be hooked up to the new network to make a big difference, so maybe in time it will become mandatory.
Rob said: “You will be contacted by your Energy Supplier to have a smart meter installed free of charge, so ask them if it is a SMET2 with a real-time usage display, otherwise you may end up with a SMETS1without this capability as allot of suppliers are still trying to use up their old stocks. However, you can contact your supplier about having one fitted now, but you will probably have to pay.”
There is no up-front cost for a smart meter, which is being funded by the energy suppliers, so will somewhere down the line be absorbed into the cost of everyone’s energy bills. The real-time display should theoretically lead to cost savings, as research suggests that people who monitor their energy consumption use less.
See www.daprocurement.co.uk or call Rob Anderson on 07956 311336 if you need more advice.