How smart meters are helping people save money
Read these smart meter reviews below and see how people are using their smart meters to save money and budget more easily.
Sarah
I have my in-home display set to show how much gas and electric credit I have left on my meter, so I can keep tabs on my monthly spend and when I might need to top up. I find it really helpful with budgeting because it's helped me to understand how much some appliances cost to use.
I feel like I've got control over my energy use - I know how much to top up, what things are going to cost to use and how I can keep everything in budget.
My smart meter has helped me find ways to keep my monthly spend down, so when I can see that I'm down to my last few pounds then I think to myself "I can't be leaving the TV on all the time", which is a good thing - it definitely makes me more aware of how much I'm spending. I've been more conscious of what I'm using and what things cost.
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My name's Sarah, I live in Chelmsford, I've got two children, one's six and one's sixteen. Being able to afford and cover the bills right now is really hard.
The rise in the cost of living has impacted us significantly because the gas, the electric, the food bills, school uniform, you know, everything's gone up and it's impacting life a lot more. So I started noticing my bills were going up just before Christmas, and it's really hard to stay in control and know which ones to pay first. It might be a bill rather than a jumper for my child, you know? You can't control something that you've got no control over, so you have to just worry, and worry for the next month to the next month.
Previously, before having a smart meter, I wasn't really aware of how much the tumble dryer or the washing machine, leaving the cooker on, leaving the TV on costs. Whereas now having a smart meter, I'd consciously turn the cooker off in the evening, the washing machine, the tumble dryer, the VT goes off. The smart meter that I have does show me what I'm spending, what I've got left, when I need to top up. And that's a small bit of control that I have got.
As well as having the in-home display, I also have the app on my phone, which is perfect because whilst I'm at work throughout the day I'll check the app and if I can see that the meters are running low I can quickly top up, I don't have to leave. You know, really easy: just go to the app and top it straight up and then you can see that the balance has gone up within a couple of minutes.
Anyone that's struggling as in friends or family, I would recommend a smart meter because you definitely know what you're spending.
Delyth
After I had my smart meter installed I soon noticed that I was using less energy than my tariff suggested.
I wouldn't usually think to give my supplier a call but when you see how much you're using right in front of you it does make you wonder if you can cut back a bit.
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I had a smart meter installed around 18 months ago now. I needed to cut costs where and when I could really. I was intrigued more than anything.
I found budgeting easier with a smart meter because I know what I’m using and when I’m using it, and also the cost of certain things like boiling a kettle, having a shower, so it does really make you think.
I have switched tariff through having a smart meter, it made me realise maybe there is a better saving out there. I’m only paying for what I need to pay for.
It is surprising how much it saves you at the end of the month. It’s changed the way I look at what I’ve used, whether it’s electricity or gas, and yes, I’d definitely recommend it to everyone really.
My supplier told me I could move to a new, cheaper tariff and I've really noticed the difference. I'm now near the end of that one and I'll be looking to call up again. It's great that having my smart meter has encouraged these money saving changes.
I've found it so reassuring to know my bills are accurate with a smart meter. I can check my bill online or keep regular tabs on my in-home display, so I feel confident in my energy use and like I've actually got control over it. I know I'm not using more than I can afford because I can see it, and better still, I know that when I get my quarterly bill, it's going to be one that's in budget.
I do think a smart meter can make it a bit easier to make savings, you're just more aware and you know you're not wasting energy just for the sake of it.
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- How to get a smart meter – the three main steps to get a smart meter.
- Mythbusting smart meter problems – we set the record straight about some of the key smart meter concerns.
- Smart meter benefits – find out about the other benefits of smart meters