UK Government Goes Ahead with Smart Meters

It now seems that the UK government has unveiled its vision of hi-tech homes just recently. This came with the showing of a new smart meter, which will act as a cornerstone for a more efficient and greener electricity grid system. Overall, the goal of the smart meter is to help the UK reach its carbon emissions goals.

Apparently British Gas, along with other power suppliers have been given the responsibility for installing the meters in each of Britain’s 26 million homes by 2020. These meters enable them to read consumption levels remotely and end the use of estimated bills. The meters would also allow homeowners to monitor their own gas and electricity levels. If the owner happens to have a solar panel or wind turbine it will also aid them in reading their production levels.

The Department of Energy and Climate shows that the plan could be costly. However, they quickly point out that the amount of expected savings, which is thought to be around £14.5 billion, will dwarf the cost of the project.

The energy minister, Lord Hunt, said that international talks in Copenhagen next week on climate change will underline the importance of cutting carbon by changing lifestyles and energy usage. These meters can help the UK go down that road. He went on to point out that, for the first time, smart meters will be able to put power back into peoples’ hands. They will be able to control just how much energy they are using and, therefore, cut their own bills. Over time this will lead to a low carbon lifestyle for many people.