New research from Smart Energy GB: new insights into the huge appetite amongst consumers for the smart technologies of the future – 4th September 2017

Smart meters found to be a stepping stone to engaging with smart technology in the home - for people of all ages

New research has found a strong appetite for smarter technology in our everyday lives amongst people of all ages. The national rollout of smart meters in every home has been found to be a vital catalyst for innovation: people who already have their smart meter are even more likely than others to say they would like to use a range of smart technology, including devices that turn off automatically on being fully charged, services which offer tailored advice on how to be more energy efficient, tariffs which offer cheaper energy outside of peak times, or the ability to identify which appliances are using the most energy.

Smarter Living: What consumers want from new smart energy products and services has been written by Smart Energy GB in conjunction with research consultancy, Incite. It has gathered the views of more than 3,000 people aged between 18 and 81 via interviews, focus groups and a large online survey and has revealed a strong appetite for smarter living services among people of all ages and life stages, with 87 per cent of people finding at least one smart tech option tested appealing.

Key findings from the research, which looks at the challenges and opportunities facing people in their everyday lives and tested a range of potential smart technology solutions, include:

• 87 per cent of all adults found at least one smart technology solution appealing
• Over 60 per cent of people aged 55+ said that they would find technology which automatically turned off appliances not in use appealing
• 68 per cent per cent of people would like to receive cheaper energy for using appliances outside peak energy times – rising to 80 per cent of smart meter users
• 67 per cent of people with children in the home said they would be happy for appliances to automatically turn on when energy is cheapest
• 69 per cent of all adults said they found the idea of devices that require charging turning off automatically after being fully charged appealing

The report has found that the national rollout of smart meters is a catalyst for more connected living, with smart meter users finding almost all of the smarter living propositions more appealing than non smart meter users, and 70 per cent of smart meter users saying they found the automation of appliances appealing.

Smart meters are coming to every home in Britain at no additional cost - they send energy data automatically to suppliers and allow consumers to see how much energy they are using in pounds and pence. In the future, consumers will be able to share this data with innovators offering them new lifestyle services.

Many participants in the study stated that they were willing to change their energy use behaviour for a clear benefit, with two thirds of consumers seeing the prospect that you could get cheaper energy if using it at non-peak times as appealing.

Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Smart Energy GB, said:

“This report reveals the exciting extent to which smart technology could make our lives smarter and greener. Importantly, age seems to be no barrier to engaging with the new technology that smart meters will enable.

“As automation and new ways to use data become more prevalent, innovators will need to understand the real desire amongst consumers for solutions that help us in our everyday lives. The particular enthusiasm among smart meter users for innovative products and services is further proof that the smart meter upgrade is an essential element of the journey to a smarter world. 

-ENDS-

Notes to editors 

Smarter Living: What consumers want from new smart energy products and services, is available to view here 

About Smart Energy GB

Smart Energy GB is the voice of the 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 national campaign is reaching households and microbusinesses in England, Scotland and Wales.

About smart meters and the rollout

Smart meters replace the traditional meters we currently have in our homes. They enable accurate bills, near real time information on energy use in pounds and pence, and greater control over the way we buy and use energy. The smart meter rollout is an essential technology upgrade, unprecedented in its scale, to improve Great Britain’s energy infrastructure. 

There are already 7.7 million smart meters installed in homes and microbusinesses across Great Britain and every household in England, Scotland and Wales will be offered one at no additional cost. Contact your energy supplier today about installing your smart meter. 

Smart Energy GB media contacts

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

Helen Croney: [email protected]; 0131 322 6204 / 07921 458 041