Leaving no one behind in the smart meter roll out

Thursday 26th January 2012

British Gas has announced the results of a survey of 700 of its customers who already have smart meters installed, revealing that 64% of people had made improvements to their energy efficiency. The survey also revealed that 80% of the respondents viewed their energy consumption differently after having the new meters installed.

This is obviously encouraging news - demonstrating that smart meter technology really does have the power to change energy habits and lower energy demand. However, given the recent criticisms of smart meters in the news can we simply assume that all energy users will welcome the new meters once they have one in their homes?

This would be a dangerous assumption to make. Smart meters represent a dramatic shift in how energy is supplied and managed, many people will be understandably wary of such a significant change.

The Government and energy suppliers must be careful that they do not leave consumers behind and give the impression that they are forcing this new technology on energy users. As important as getting the technology right is, educating and engaging with consumers is just as significant a task.

The energy sector must ensure that it is doing all it can to prepare consumers for the smart meter roll out if we are to replicate the positive feedback announced by British Gas across the country. This means investing in better awareness programmes and giving consumers devices like energy displays ahead of the full smart meter roll out.

Smart meters are an ambitious project, and there are big issues at stake for the future of our energy use. All of the stakeholders in this process must be doing everything they can to make sure that we get it right.

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