According to recent reports, the government is estimating that every household in the UK will have a smart meter installed by 2020. The smart meters are used by the suppliers to record customer’s gas and electricity use, and together with display device, they let consumers see how much energy they are using. This is greatly advantageous in the sense that homeowners do not need to stay at home for meter readings. It also stops people from getting over-estimated bills.

With the economic climate on a downturn, the experts on energy and climate change are pointing out that the meters we currently have in our homes are not suitable any more. It is more important than ever before for us to be more careful with our expenditure.

The government’s proposals for the smart meter

A smart meter enables consumers to monitor their own energy use at their personal discretion, and to make reductions in energy consumptions and carbon emissions. It has been claimed that this a huge project, one that is affecting millions of homes and businesses.

The government is putting forward some proposals as a way of rolling the smart meters out across the UK. The first proposal allows the energy suppliers to take all the responsibilities, which include the supply and installation, and the data management.

A second idea 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. This particular option is the government’s favourite proposal.

A missed opportunity?

Some of the leading manufacturers of high efficiency boilers are happy with the government’s proposals, however believe that the delay in enforcing them is a missed opportunity to encourage people to upgrade their heating systems. Current figures demonstrate that there are around 17 million standard boilers that are still being used across the country.

Experts have claimed that enabling people to monitor their energy consumption by way of the smart meter is hugely advantageous, however the delay will result in many missed opportunities. Using a standard efficiency boiler is also environmentally unfriendly.

The smart meters work in allowing suppliers to record customer’s gas and electricity usage, and let consumers know how much energy they are consuming on a daily basis. The estimates indicate that around 26 million electricity 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 fundamental features to note

No need for estimated bills any more, as the information is sent straight to the energy supplier

The displays are completely readable and easily understandable by houseowners

People will be able to monitor their energy use at their own discretion

Tal Potishman, editor of Heating Central, writes articles about efficient heating, boilers, plumber Glasgow, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating.