Should I get a smart meter?

The pros…

■ Suppliers install smart meters for free, you just have to make an appointment (and be home) to have it fitted.

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More accurate bills

Smart meters use a secure national communication network (called the DCC) to automatically and wirelessly send your actual energy usage to your supplier. This means estimated energy bills are a thing of the past and you won’t find yourself in a situation where your energy account is in credit.

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Better understanding of usage

You may benefit from the ‘in house display’ technology, which provides real-time usage information, including kWh use and cost. This allows you to pin point exactly which appliances are costing you the most money to run and where you can cut back.

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Power cuts resolved faster

Smart meters are able to send automatic alerts when there is a power cut or problems with the voltage, so any issues can be resolved quicker and will be less inconvenient for you.

The cons…

■ You are allowed to switch energy suppliers if you have a smart meter. However, many of the meters installed to date are first generation smart meters (SMETS1) and some cannot connect to the national smart meters communication network and will be unable to send meter readings to your new provider. You may have to revert to manual meter readings and estimated bills.

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It might not be necessary

If you’re already careful with heating and electricity, then it’s unlikely that the in-house display will enable you to manage your energy usage better.

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You need a good signal

The successful operation of smart meters can be a postcode lottery. Live in an area with poor mobile signal? There’s a chance your smart meter won’t work.

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We could all end up paying!

Every UK household – whether they have a smart meter or not – could be indirectly absorbing these costs through the recent rise in energy prices and it could take decades before we make actual savings on our energy bills.