Over the past few months, we have had a number of landlords switch their meters to Smart meters. We found this to be beneficial to the landlords and tenants as all parties involved can easily keep updated on the energy usage in the property from anywhere in the world.
If you would like to find out more about Smart Meters, please see below for more information from https://www.gov.uk/guidance/smart-meters-how-they-work
The new meters
Smart meters are the next generation of gas and electricity meters and offer a range of intelligent functions. For example, they can tell you how much energy you are using through a display in your home. They can also communicate directly with your energy supplier meaning that no one will need to come and read your meter in future. Most of the smart meters that are being installed today use mobile phone-type signals to send meter readings to your supplier, and other wireless technologies to send information to the in-home display.
Benefits of smart meters
- Smart meters bring a wide range of benefits. For example:
- smart meters give you near real time information on energy use expressed in pounds and pence
- you will be able to better manage your energy use, save money and reduce emissions
- smart meters will bring an end to estimated billing – you will only be billed for the energy you actually use, helping you budget better
- easier switching – smoother and faster to switch suppliers to get the best deals
You will not be charged separately for a smart meter or for the in-home display. Under current arrangements you pay for the cost of your meter and its maintenance through your energy bills, and this will be the same for smart meters.
Timeframes for installation
Most households will have smart meters installed by their energy company between 2016 and 2020, although some energy companies are starting to install smart meters now. If you are interested in getting a smart meter now, shop around and contact different energy companies to see what their plans are. A selection of links to some suppliers` smart meter pages can be found on the Smart Energy GB website.
For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/smart-meters-how-they-work