Are you unsure about the benefits of installing a smart meter in your home?
Like many of my customers, you’ve probably at least heard of smart meters. They’re currently being rolled out across the country, yet not everyone is sure why they’re actually needed. Unsurprisingly the idea of having a device in your home that sends information back and forth isn’t appealing to everyone.
Nevertheless, it’s expected that every home in the UK will have one installed by 2020. So, what ARE the benefits?
Below, I’m going to tell you about the three main reasons a smart meter could benefit you.
1. No more estimated bills – never overpay again!
Estimated bills can be the source of many a headache, as I’m sure you’re probably aware. However, smart meters automatically send accurate readings to your energy supplier, so you no longer have to put up with estimates ever again. That means you’ll never suddenly be told you’ve underpaid, or that you’ve paid too much.
2. See which appliances use the most energy
Had your suspicions about that old boiler guzzling all your gas? Or maybe you want to see why your electricity bill is so high? A smart meter will tell you where most of your energy is going, and which appliances are using the most.
One of my customers was reluctant to get a smart meter installed, but his energy provider was pushing it on him. However, it was a different story when he started looking at it daily to see how much energy was being consumed whilst he was at work. He was horrified to find his hot water was heating constantly!
Having monitored it further, he realised over winter how inefficient his old gas boiler and fire were. He instructed us to replace it with a brand new combi boiler for higher efficiency. Over the next 12 months, he actually saved 37% on his energy bills.
3. Track and monitor your usage to save energy
Another good thing about smart meters is that they can show you how much gas is used at night, during the day and at peak times when your cooker, boiler and fire are on. You can simulate what it would be like with no controls by putting your stats to max, then seeing how much is saved by your energy efficient controls.
If you have an old G-rated gas boiler, and replaced it to an A-rated one, you can see instantly how much you’re saving and work out how long it’ll take for the boiler to pay for itself.
Advice from an experienced heating engineer
The best advice I can give you is to find out about smart meters as soon as possible. Embrace the new technology; it’s there to help you. Visit the Smart Energy GB website for more information about smart meters, and to find out what your supplier is doing.
Some suppliers are installing them right now, and you may be able to register interest or request one free of charge.
The sooner you get it installed, the sooner you can work out which appliances swallow up your electricity and gas, so you’ll be left with more money in your pocket!
Conclusion
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this blog post. Hopefully this blog has given you a better idea of the benefits of installing a smart meter in your home, and how you can save money on your energy bills.
Want to know more about how you can save money on your energy bills? Leave a comment below, or get in touch with me directly.
