Vital home running cost savings are being ignored by some 37m (75%) of British people because they are not taking full advantage of the benefits provided by smart meters, according to new research from energy company E.ON.
This important information marks the first anniversary of the company’s Smart Metering Centre of Excellence.
It suggests that 55% of over 55 year olds are most likely to be able to correctly define what is a smart meter, while 18-24 year olds seem to be the most enthusiastic at recognising the positive effect smart meters can have on their lives!
Apparently, males are twice as likely as females to really want a smart meter but females would reduce their energy usage more than males if they could ‘visualise their behaviours.’
E.ON’s research provides an important insight into the use of consumer technology in households, with over half (55%) of people citing its positive effect in providing more access to advice and information. This is followed by half (51%) of British who shrewdly use technology to manage their personal finances through online banking and smartphone apps.
The company is calling for people to mirror the use of technology in their everyday lives and gain greater visibility into their energy use through smart meters so they can make positive behavioural changes and benefit from energy savings and cash savings.
Reflecting the interest in learning about daily habits, nearly two-thirds (59%) of people would reduce their energy usage if they could visualise their consumption. Currently, there is a lot of confusion around smart meters with just under two thirds (60%) of people claiming to know what a smart meter is but, in reality, less than half (45%) could correctly define its role of enabling two-way communications between an energy supplier and a household’s electricity and gas meter.
Jean Fiddes, head of customer learning for smart meters at E.ON, says: “Technology is playing an empowering role in our lives and our research highlights that people are keen to extend this to their energy use.
“Smart meters allow consumers to easily visualise their energy consumption daily, weekly and monthly, meaning they have increased transparency into their daily energy habits, providing accurate bills and greater management of their finances.”
More information: www.eonenergy.com/smart
