Thinking about getting a smart meter? We’ve found out what to expect from this tech, and if it could help you with rising energy costs.
What is a smart meter?
A smart meter is a piece of tech that records how much electricity and gas you use, and sends that information to your energy supplier using wireless networks. This means that you don’t need to manually input how much gas and electricity you’ve used each month, and you also get an In-Home Display (IHD) so that you can see how much energy you’re using in real time.
What are the advantages to having a smart meter?
The benefits to a smart meter are that your energy supplier doesn’t need to estimate how much energy you’ve used; they have the specific data to bill you accurately without you having to read your meters yourself. This also means that it is much easier to adapt your energy use to decrease your energy bills.
You are also able to access exclusive tariffs for smart meter users; Time-Of-Use tariffs (TOU) offer customers with smart meters lower cost energy outside of peak times. However, it should be noted that many of these tariffs are currently paused for new sign ups due to the current energy crisis.
It should be noted that, as with the installation of old style meters, the cost of the rollout for smart meters is being covered by your energy bill. This is included as part of the rising cost of energy, whether you have a smart meter installed or not. As such, installation for smart meters can’t be considered ‘free’; however there is no upfront cost when you opt to have one installed.
What about the disadvantages to having a smart meter?
One disadvantage to smart meters is that they depend on the wireless network in order to communicate your energy readings with your supplier. Early smart meters are likely to struggle with this, and may need replacing. If the signal in your area is weak, then you may have to input the readings manually.
As the In-Home Display uses energy, or batteries, to run, there is also a cost associated with using it. However, according to Shell, the energy that these displays use is very low, somewhere between 70p and £1 a year. However, there is no requirement to use the IHD; your smart meter will continue to work.
Many people have worries about smart meters being bad for your health, as well as worries about data collection and how this is sent to your supplier. There is no evidence that smart meters are bad for your health, and any data sent to your energy supplier is encrypted.
Smart meters, and working from home
One of the important factors to consider when thinking about energy usage and smart meters is whether you frequently work from home. For those who are permanently working from home, and those who are working both from home and from the office, it’s likely that you’re using more energy. This is particularly relevant during winter, when energy costs for the typical user go up due to heating.
With many of us attempting to keep energy costs down throughout winter, central heating has been a luxury that many just cannot afford. In August 2022, at least 1 in 4 people in the UK said that they wouldn’t be turning it on at all. It’s important to note that the World Health Organisation states that homes should be heated to 18 degrees; for the young, elderly and unwell, that rises to 20 degrees.
If you’re working from home, using a smart meter can be a useful way to track your energy usage, and work out whether it is more cost effective to continue working from home, or work in the office. You will also need to factor in your commute, and how much this costs, whether you’re travelling using public transport or by car.
Is a smart meter the right choice?
If you would like a little more visibility into your energy usage, particularly if you’re working from home, moving to a smart meter over a traditional meter makes sense. However, smart meters are not mandatory, and unless your traditional meter needs replacing, you don’t need to make the switch.
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