Latest findings on attitudes to smart meters from Smart energy outlook

Smart meters giving consumers control over their energy bills 

Consumers who have upgraded to a smart meter as part of Britain’s national rollout are continuing to demonstrate high satisfaction with their new technology, and greater control over their energy bills. 

Smart Energy GB, the national campaign for Britain’s smart meter rollout, today publishes the third Smart energy outlook, the largest independent barometer of national public opinion on energy and smart meters. The research surveys more than 10,000 people around the country. 

Smart energy outlook has found:

• More than half (52 per cent) of people with smart meters say their new meter is helping them save money
• Eight in ten (80 per cent) people with smart meters have taken at least one step to reduce how much energy they use
• Eight in ten (79 per cent) people with smart meters would recommend them to others
• 85 per cent of those with smart meters say they have a better understanding of what they are spending on energy
• People with smart meters are more confident in the accuracy of their bills (81 per cent) when compared to those with traditional meters (64 per cent)
• Three quarters of people with smart meters (75 per cent) say that they understand their energy bills, while just 61 per cent of people using traditional meters said the same
• Nearly three quarters (72 per cent) of people with smart meters say that they have the information they need to choose the right energy tariff, far higher than those with traditional meters (57 per cent)

Everyone in Great Britain will have the chance to upgrade to a smart meter between now and 2020 at no additional cost and more than two million have already been installed in homes and small businesses. Smart meters bring an end to estimated bills and show people what they’re spending in pounds and pence, in near real time via a smart meter display.

Commenting on the findings, Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Smart Energy GB said:

“Millions of people are benefiting from smart meters and are using them to help save money. People with smart meters are better informed about how much gas and electricity they are using and more in control of their energy use. 

We are still in the early stages of this national upgrade but those who have smart meters already are seeing a transformation. This year will see even more households and small businesses upgrade to smart meters.”

Energy Minister Lord Bourne said:

“Smart meters are a key part of our plan to build a system of energy infrastructure fit for the 21st century, bringing an end to inaccurate bills and giving bill payers more control of their energy use. This research shows that smart meters help consumers understand their day-to-day energy use.  
 
“This is just one reason why smart meters play an important role in our energy strategy – taking just one step to reduce your energy footprint will help us to reduce emissions, move to a low carbon future and keep bills down”.

-ENDS-


Notes to editors

1. The full Smart energy outlook report can be downloaded from www.smartenergygb.org/smart-energy-outlook-feb2016

2. A breakdown of attitudes towards energy and smart meters by government region is attached to this press release outlining how people feel in the regions about their bills.

 

About Smart Energy GB

Smart Energy GB is the national campaign for Great Britain’s smart meter rollout. It’s our task to help everyone in Great Britain understand smart meters, the national rollout and how to use their new meters to get their gas and electricity under control. Our campaign has already begun and will reach all households and microbusinesses in England, Scotland and Wales.

About smart meters and the rollout 

Smart meters will replace the traditional meters we currently have in our homes. They will provide consumers with accurate bills, near real time information on energy usage in pounds and pence, and greater control over their gas and electricity. The smart meter rollout is an essential technology upgrade, unprecedented in its scale, to improve Great Britain’s energy infrastructure. Between now and 2020, everyone across England, Scotland and Wales will be offered a smart meter by their energy supplier at no extra cost. Over two million smart meters have already been installed in homes and microbusinesses. To find out how you can get a smart meter from your energy supplier please visit www.smartenergygb.org/get-a-smart-meter


Smart Energy GB media contacts

For more information including interview requests, case studies of smart meter customers, infographics, photography and video content please contact the Smart Energy GB media team:

Lucy Maggs: [email protected] 0203 019 1054 or 07747690432

Stephen Shawcross: [email protected] 0203 019 1057 or 07739659895

Naomi Adams: [email protected] 0203 019 1056 or 07921836986

24/7 press office 0203 019 1054