Igloo Energy launches app to promote energy efficiency

Igloo Energy has launched a smartphone app to enable customers to “stay in control” of their energy usage, manage their account, view bills and take meter readings.

The company uses smart technology to help consumers use less energy. It says its smart meters measure energy consumption every half hour, using algorithms to provide recommendations for customers on how they could cut back.

Igloo Energy’s chief executive and co-founder, Matt Clemow said the company was launched in response to the lack of switching in the UK energy market.

The firm believes the number of people “who can be bothered to switch is hitting a ceiling”. It says a new approach that promises “ongoing sustained savings” from lower energy consumption is needed to reduce bills for the majority of customers.

Clemow said: “For decades we’ve been told that to reduce our energy bills we need to switch regularly. But despite millions of pounds being spent on this message, UK households are becoming apathetic to that message as they see it as a temporary solution.”

He added: “Too many energy companies still use a ‘tease and squeeze’ business model, where low fixed rates in the first year are replaced with high standard variable tariffs in subsequent years, penalising customer loyalty.

“We’ve built Igloo Energy as a new kind of energy supplier that delivers savings that stick, by using smart technology to help customers use less energy and save more money.”

Igloo Energy teamed up with Tado towards the end of last year to offer customers a discount on smart thermostats, which help households reduce their heating related energy consumption by 15-30 per cent.

The company said its hopes customers will find its new app “just as valauble” and looks forward to further developing its technology.

Octopus Energy launched a time-of-use tariff for smart meter customers in February. The Octopus Agile tariff could see customers get paid to use electricity when demand is low.