News
Eight out of 10 people in Britain don't know what they're paying for gas and electricity
17th March 2008
New research out today reveals that eight out of 10 people in Britain don't know what they are paying for their gas and electricity. If everyone in Wales switched to smart meters the country could save around £58,000 a year.
A staggering 82 per cent of people don't know what energy rate they are on while energy bills are seen as the most difficult to understand of all household bills.
The research – commissioned by the UK's leading organisation set up to help people tackle climate change, the Energy Saving Trust – finds that almost half of respondents would be interested in having a smart meter and 96 per cent of those would then use the device to help cut their home energy use.
Smart meters – advanced electrical meters – would allow householders to monitor how much their energy use costs the environment and their pocket. They can also tell instantly which household appliances are costing the most money to run.
The devices have been trialled in countries ranging from Sweden to the US but are not widely available in the UK yet. These trials have shown that householders who use smart meters save between five and 10 per cent off their energy bills.
Based on savings of five per cent the Energy Saving Trust estimates that if everyone in Wales switched to smart meters householders would save £58,410 a year and the equivalent of 368,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. This is enough carbon to fill 125 Millennium Stadiums!
The survey was commissioned as part of the Energy Saving Trust's Green Barometer IV report, launched today. In it, the EST sets out the environmental case for smart meters.
Philip Sellwood, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said: "Our study finds that energy bills are the most difficult to understand of any household bill: twice as hard as phone bills and four times as difficult as bank statements or credit card bills.
"The lack of transparency surrounding energy usage is one of the biggest problems holding back the UK's fight against climate change. And without the uptake of smart metering, this situation is not going to change any time soon.
"The current situation is hard to believe, especially with the recent rise in household fuel bills. Most people would never sign a mobile phone contract if they didn't know how much it would cost for calls. Similarly, you wouldn't shop every week and then get the bill three months later and just hope you could pay for it."
He added: "Smart meters help householders work out how much energy they are using, how much they are paying for it as well as showing in real time which appliances are producing the most C02.”
Smart meters would cost between £100 and £200 if mass-produced.
Other smart meter benefits identified in the Energy Saving Trust's report include:
Smart meters could only be fitted by energy suppliers. The take-up of smart meters requires Government backing and a commitment by energy suppliers.
In the meantime, the Energy Saving Trust has identified a number of simple ways consumers can cut their energy consumption and running costs:
Back
A staggering 82 per cent of people don't know what energy rate they are on while energy bills are seen as the most difficult to understand of all household bills.
The research – commissioned by the UK's leading organisation set up to help people tackle climate change, the Energy Saving Trust – finds that almost half of respondents would be interested in having a smart meter and 96 per cent of those would then use the device to help cut their home energy use.
Smart meters – advanced electrical meters – would allow householders to monitor how much their energy use costs the environment and their pocket. They can also tell instantly which household appliances are costing the most money to run.
The devices have been trialled in countries ranging from Sweden to the US but are not widely available in the UK yet. These trials have shown that householders who use smart meters save between five and 10 per cent off their energy bills.
Based on savings of five per cent the Energy Saving Trust estimates that if everyone in Wales switched to smart meters householders would save £58,410 a year and the equivalent of 368,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. This is enough carbon to fill 125 Millennium Stadiums!
The survey was commissioned as part of the Energy Saving Trust's Green Barometer IV report, launched today. In it, the EST sets out the environmental case for smart meters.
Philip Sellwood, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said: "Our study finds that energy bills are the most difficult to understand of any household bill: twice as hard as phone bills and four times as difficult as bank statements or credit card bills.
"The lack of transparency surrounding energy usage is one of the biggest problems holding back the UK's fight against climate change. And without the uptake of smart metering, this situation is not going to change any time soon.
"The current situation is hard to believe, especially with the recent rise in household fuel bills. Most people would never sign a mobile phone contract if they didn't know how much it would cost for calls. Similarly, you wouldn't shop every week and then get the bill three months later and just hope you could pay for it."
He added: "Smart meters help householders work out how much energy they are using, how much they are paying for it as well as showing in real time which appliances are producing the most C02.”
Smart meters would cost between £100 and £200 if mass-produced.
Other smart meter benefits identified in the Energy Saving Trust's report include:
- Frequent data on energy consumption (both gas and electric).
- Time of use data; historical use data.
- Differential tariffs based on time of use.
- Greater control over peak demand.
- Ability for the energy suppliers to send energy saving tips to consumers based on their usage.
- They monitor the energy renewable energy sources installed in the home, such as solar panels and wind turbines, are using and producing.
- The ability to switch between credit and pre-payment functions.
Smart meters could only be fitted by energy suppliers. The take-up of smart meters requires Government backing and a commitment by energy suppliers.
In the meantime, the Energy Saving Trust has identified a number of simple ways consumers can cut their energy consumption and running costs:
- Look for the logo... Look out for the Energy Saving Recommended logo when you are buying new electrical appliances. The logo appears on a growing range of products – from fridge freezers to light fittings – indicating the most energy efficient in the market place. Computing equipment is set to be included as the scheme expands its categories.
- Visit www.energysavingtrust.org for the Energy Saving Trust’s Buyers’ Guide and details of the most energy efficient products.
- For further advice, contact the Energy Saving Trust’s network of advice centres, which offer consumers advice and information on energy efficiency. For details of your nearest centre, contact 0800 512 012 or visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
Back
Powered by News Script
South East Wales Energy Agency