A new report conducted by British Gas has revealed how smart meters are changing the way UK consumers control their energy use, helping them to better manage how much energy they are using and when.
The British Gas Smart Thinking Report surveyed over 700 domestic smart meter users, with the majority (78 percent) of respondents claiming to use smart meter technology at least once a week.
Almost half of those surveyed (48 percent) say they use their smart meter on a daily basis, highlighting how the technology is increasing consumers’ interest in the way they use their energy. In fact, 80 percent of those surveyed said that smart meters have made them think about their energy consumption in a more considered way.
Of those asked, 73 percent stated smart meters have made them think about ways they could reduce their energy usage and save money while 64 percent are now making energy efficiency improvements in their home.
Dr. Tom Hargreaves, an expert in smart meters from the School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, said: “This report shows that UK energy users want smart meters and they are using them regularly to help save money and change their energy habits. Its core findings make for extremely encouraging reading.”
Dean Keeling, Managing Director of British Gas Smart Homes, states: “Smart meters have a major impact on the way consumers engage and manage their energy consumption. As we enter a decade of change in domestic usage, it’s even more important that the UK’s consumers fully understand what smart meters are and how they can be best used. We at British Gas hope these findings can begin raising awareness of the benefits of smart meters whilst helping the UK prepare for their arrival.”
All UK homes will be fitted with a smart meter and smart energy display by 2019.
