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Smart meters are the next generation of gas and electricity meters. Together with their accompanying in-home displays, smart meters will help you keep track of the energy you use in your home, and will cut out the need for meter readings.
Every home and business in Great Britain will be offered smart meters for electricity and gas by the end of 2020.
Smart meters measure the total energy used in the same way as a traditional meter, but they can also tell you when you have used it and how much it costs. Additionally, they have a communication capability that allows this data to be displayed on a device inside your home and read remotely by your energy supplier.
An in-home display (IHD) unit will be provided along with the smart meter as part of the programme. This device is the most visible part of the smart metering system and provides up-to-date real-time information on gas and electricity use in pounds and pence, as well as units of energy.
The display also presents historical information on consumption so that you can compare current and past use.
Find out more about the smart meter roll-out and installation in our FAQs.
Read the Ofgem factsheet: Smart metering – what it means for Britain’s homes.
Smart thermostats are a new type of heating control which connect to the internet, allowing them to be accessed and adjusted remotely. They can give you much greater control over your heating, from wherever you are, at any time of day.
There are a range of different smart heating controls currently on the market - each works slightly differently and has different features. Some features include:
If you're based in England or Wales please contact the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234. If you're based in Scotland contact Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 (Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm and Saturday, 9am-5pm).
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