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Page last updated icon Page last updated on 10th May 2023
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Smart Energy Explained

New research reveals that people living with a long-term disability, on low incomes or in later life say having a smart meter has made their lives easier. So, we've worked with Ade Adepitan MBE to highlight the different ways smart meters can benefit you.

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What is the Smart Energy Explained campaign about?

2020 has been a tough year for most people in Great Britain. Extended periods of lockdown have made the lives of people with disabilities, mental health conditions, or on low income more difficult, in many ways.

From our research, it is noted that struggles when dealing with energy usage and bills can go unnoticed, and have become more difficult because of the pandemic. From accessing energy meters which are difficult to reach, to being unable to go to the shop to top up. Or carers being unable to check meters due to the pandemic. There have been a variety of barriers for those with traditional gas or electricity meters.

That’s why we’ve launched our Smart Energy Explained campaign. This seeks to highlight particular smart meter benefits for a range of people including:

  • people on low income;
  • people living with a long-term illness, impairment or disability; and
  • people in later life.

Our research reveals that smart meters have eased these energy concerns and made life a little bit easier for many people. For example, 70% of people with a disability, mental health condition or on low income say that having a smart meter has made managing their energy easier by taking away the worry of having to access a traditional gas or electricity meter.

Paralympian, TV presenter and author Ade Adepitan MBE, who is campaigning to highlight the benefits of smart meters to vulnerable people, said:

“People living with a disability or in vulnerable circumstances face challenges on a daily basis, and technology is playing an increasing role in knocking down some of those barriers. Smart meters are a pretty simple piece of tech, but the tasks that they completely remove could make life easier for many people across Britain.

“For example, customers with prepay smart meters no longer need to worry about going to the shops to top up, which can be more difficult with limited mobility, sight or hearing loss. With a smart meter you can top up online or via an app and see when credit is running low on the in-home display.

“Meter readings are also automatically sent directly to your energy supplier, and the in-home display shows your energy use in near-real time in pounds and pence, which can help households, especially those with low incomes, to take control of their energy use and have complete visibility over what they are spending.

“Energy may not be very exciting, but it’s still an essential everyday part of life which no-one should have to struggle with in this day and age.”

Key smart meter benefits

For many people, getting a smart meter installed by their energy supplier could make managing energy at home that little bit easier. Upgrading at no extra cost could free up time to spend on things that you care about and enjoy.

Meter readings are sent automatically to your energy supplier

All smart meters show a digital meter reading, and securely and automatically share meter readings with your energy supplier at least once a month.

This could be particularly useful for people with limited mobility, who may find it more difficult to access the gas or electricity meters to take a reading each month for an accurate energy bill.

Find out more about how smart meters work here.

An accessible in-home display (AIHD) can verbally tell you how much energy you’re using

Accessible in-home displays have been developed in partnership with the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB). They feature large buttons, text-to-speech functionality, and more.

They have been developed to allow more people, including people who are blind or partially sighted, to access some of the key benefits of smart meters. Namely, being better able to monitor energy use, to more easily spot ways to reduce it and cut energy costs.

At the moment, accessible in-home displays are not yet available from every supplier. If you want one it is important to make your energy supplier aware of this.

Prepay customers can top up remotely and monitor credit

With a smart meter in prepay mode, you can see your credit in pounds and pence as well as your energy consumption on the handy in-home display. You can use this information to more easily spot ways you can reduce it.

Also, smart meters in prepay mode allow you to top up in a variety of ways from home. So, you no longer need to worry about going to a shop to top up, which can be more difficult for people with limited mobility, sight, or hearing loss. And it can be an unpleasant and annoying experience for anyone if it’s cold and rainy outside.

Smart tariffs could save you money

Getting a smart meter installed could mean you could access some of the cheapest energy tariffs available, helping you to save money and better manage your energy use.

For example, if you have a smart meter, you could choose a smart time-of-use tariff. These tariffs offer a different price of energy at different times of the day. If you are able to use less energy during periods of high demand (known as peak periods) and more energy during periods of low demand (known as off-peak periods), you could reduce your energy bills.

Find out more ways your smart meter in-home display can help you identify how to save money.

In the future, smart meters could, with consumer consent, alert carers when unusual patterns of energy are detected

In future, and with consumer consent, energy usage patterns from smart meter data could be used as a non-intrusive way to help carers understand the daily habits of those they are caring for.

Irregularities in these patterns could alert relatives or healthcare workers that the person may need additional support.

For those caring for someone with degenerative diseases, such as dementia or Parkinsons, this could offer a little more peace of mind.

Government support schemes to help with energy bills

Scheme How can this help you? Eligibility
Fuel Direct Scheme Fuel Direct can aid energy bill management for those receiving state help by taking outstanding debt, in parts, automatically from their benefit payments.

These have been rolled into Universal Credit and other benefits schemes. You can apply here.

Cold Weather Payment

You'll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below for over 7 consecutive days.

This could be £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.

You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you're getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest.

Warm Home Discount

The Warm Home Discount paid to you - it's a one-off discount on your electricity bill between September and March.

You could get £140 off your electricity bill for Winter 2020 to 2021 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

How you apply for the Warm Home Discount Scheme depends on how you qualify for the discount. You can find out more here.

Request your smart meter

Join the millions of Brits already helping to create a smarter future. Simply type your energy supplier in the box below and we'll redirect you to their website.

Please note: accessible in-home displays are not available with every supplier. If you want one it is important to make your energy supplier aware of this.

We believe that Octopus Energy is now responsible for Affect Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Yu Energy are responsible for Ampower UK customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Yu Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Angelic Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that SSE is now responsible for Atlantic Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with SSE who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Nabuh Energy is now responsible for Avid Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Nabuh Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy are responsible for Avro Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Beam Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas are responsible for Better Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We are connecting you to your supplier's website. They will take your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Breeze customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that SSE is now responsible for Brilliant Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with SSE who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas are responsible for Bristol Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

You can continue your smart meter journey at your supplier's website. They will take your request forward.

We believe that British Gas are responsible for British Gas Evolve customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy are responsible for Bulb customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that SSE are responsible for Cardiff Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with SSE who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for CitizEn Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Shell Energy are responsible for Colorado Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Shell Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

You can continue your smart meter journey at your supplier's website. They will take your request forward.

We believe that Scottish Power is now responsible for Daisy Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Scottish Power who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

You can continue your smart meter journey at your supplier's website. They will take your request forward.

Eon have informed us that Eon Next are responsible for smart meter installations, so you'll be redirected there.

We are redirecting you to the E.ON Next smart meter webpage. You can continue your smart meter journey at their website. They will take your request forward.

We believe that OVO Energy are responsible for Economy Energy credit customers. Therefore we are connecting you with OVO Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward. If you are a prepay customer you will need to visit Boost Energy at www.boostpower.co.uk/smart-meters. They will be responsible for taking you request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy is now responsible for Engie customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that E.ON Next is now responsible for Enstroga customers. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON Next who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that So Energy is now responsible for ESB customers. Therefore we are connecting you with So Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Utilita is now responsible for Eversmart customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Utilita who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Scottish Power is now responsible for Extra Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with Scottish Power who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Shell Energy Retail is now responsible for First Utility customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Shell Energy Retail who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Fosse Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Green Star Energy is now responsible for Future Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Green Star Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy is now responsible for Gen4U customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

We believe that Bulb Energy is now responsible for GnErgy customers. Therefore we will connect you with Bulb who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

We believe that Shell Energy is now responsible for Goto Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with Shell energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Great North Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Shell Energy is now responsible for Green Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with Shell energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that EDF Energy is now responsible for Green Network Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with EDF Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

We believe that E.ON Next is now responsible for Hub Energy customers (formerly Gulf Gas and Power). Therefore we will connect you with E.ON Next who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

We believe that E.ON Next is now responsible for Hub Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON Next who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that E.ON Next is now responsible for Igloo Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON Next who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy is now responsible for Iresa customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that EDF Energy is now responsible for iSupply Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with EDF Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

We believe that OVO Energy is now responsible for Lumo customers. Therefore we are connecting you with OVO Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for MoneyPlus Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Nabuh Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Neon Reef Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that E.ON is now responsible for Npower Select customers. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that E.ON Next is now responsible for Npower Select customers. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON Next who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Utilita are responsible for Omni Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you to Utilita who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We beleive that Scottish Power is now responsible for Orbit Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with Scottish Power who will be responsible with taking your request forward.

We believe that Utilita is now responsible for Our Power customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Utilita who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for People's Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for PFP Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that E.ON Next is now responsible for Powershop customers. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON Next who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Shell Energy is now responsible for Pure Planet customers. Therefore we will connect you with Shell Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy is now responsible for Qwest Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Ram Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Robin Hood Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

You can continue your smart meter journey at your supplier's website. They will take your request forward.

Scottish Gas have told us that British Gas is responsible for providing smart meters on their behalf. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

Scottish Hydro have told us that SSE is responsible for providing smart meters on their behalf. Therefore we are connecting you with SSE who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy is now responsible for Shell Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward. If you are a former Shell customer and haven't seen an email from Octopus, please get in touch with them.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Simplicity Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that SSE is now responsible for Spark Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with SSE who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Southend Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Nabuh Energy is now responsible for Snowdrop Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Nabuh Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Social Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

We believe that EDF are responsible for Solarplicity customers. Therefore we are connecting you with EDF who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

Swalec have told us that SSE is responsible for providing smart meters on their behalf. Therefore we are connecting you with SSE who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

Symbio Energy have told us that E.ON NEXT is responsible for providing smart meters on their behalf. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON NEXT who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for The Leccy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas are responsible for Together Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Scottish Power is now responsible for Tonik Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Scottish Power who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that EDF Energy are responsible for Toto Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with EDF Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy are responsible for UKEIH customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Shell Energy Retail is now responsible for Usio Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Shell Energy Retail who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that EDF Energy is now responsible for Utility Point customers. Therefore we will connect you with EDF Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that E.ON are responsible for Wasp Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with E.ON who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for White Rose Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that E.ON are responsible for Wigan Warriors Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with E.ON who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We beleive that Scottish Power is now responsible for Yorkshire Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Scottish Power who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Your Energy Sussex customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Zebra Power customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that EDF is now responsible for Zog Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with EDF who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

For more smart meter benefits, visit...

FAQs

Can I switch tariff or energy supplier if I have a smart meter?

Yes. People with a smart meter can switch energy supplier and tariff in exactly the same way that anyone with a traditional meter can. Find out more about switching supplier with a smart meter here.

What's the link between smart meters and clean air?

From the moment your smart meter is installed, you are helping to reduce our carbon emissions as a nation. Smart meters help to create a smart energy system. With a truly smart energy system we can better match supply with demand, and integrate more renewable energy sources such as wind and solar into the system. These forms of generating energy create less air pollution and emit significantly less CO2 into the atmosphere.

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