Turning a new leaf

New technology has made our gardening experiences richer, easier and greener over the years, and smart meters can help do something similar indoors

We all want our gardens to be an oasis of relaxation and calm, but achieving that has always required a lot of work. Over the years, that may have involved power-hungry mowers trailing mile-long cables across the lawn, or petrol-powered tools loudly belching out smoke.

But these days, newer equipment is kinder to the environment, and it’s provided new ways for us to fully enjoy our gardens. Of course, there are still even more steps we can take. One way to make less of an impact, while making life easier for yourself, is to get a smart meter installed by your energy supplier. Not only will it help you take more control of your energy bills, it will also help you do your bit for the environment.

Tooled up

Our garden tech has come a long way over the decades. If you’ve recently upgraded, you’ll no doubt be enjoying the wonders of a rechargeable power pack that fits onto a multitude of different attachments, whether you’re strimming or trimming. When you mow the lawn, you’re no longer pulling away at a cord to fire up a petrol motor, instead simply pressing a button. Away from garden maintenance, new tech has allowed us to make even better use of our outdoor spaces. Keen bird watchers can now buy nest box cameras that beam a live feed straight to their TV, while solar-powered lighting has allowed us to make the most of those long summer nights sitting outside with a glass of wine. And soon, even those without gardens will be able to get their horticultural fix thanks to hydroponic technology, which allows them to create the ideal climatic conditions to grow food and exotic plants indoors all year round.

It’s not just technology that can make gardening more sustainable. There are steps we can take as individuals, too. For example, using

a watering can in the garden instead of a sprinkler or a hosepipe. Garden sprinklers and hosepipes left running can use between 500 and 1,000 litres of water an hour. Additionally, fitting a water butt to collect rainwater is not only better for watering your plants, but it also reduces the amount of treated water you use.

Get smart

Another way you can work hand in hand with green technology is to get a smart meter installed in your home. Once fitted, its handy in-home display allows you to see how much energy you’re using around the house in near-real time. That means you can take control of your energy bills and start making small changes that could help save you money. Plus, when you have a smart meter installed, you’ll be joining the millions of people across Britain who are already doing their bit to reduce energy waste on a national scale.

That’s because smart meters are a first step in creating a smart energy system. A system that could help us better plan the energy we need nationally, and that can pinpoint where faults are occurring more quickly. A system that will, in conjunction with smart meters, help consumers to take action to lessen their carbon footprint. Getting a smart meter is just like any other environmentally friendly behaviour in the home, like composting or recycling, so why not do your bit for Britain and join the energy revolution?

Join the energy revolution and contact your energy supplier to request a smart meter. For more information, visit smartenergygb.org