Smart meters have ‘positive impact’ on behaviour, report claims

More than 7.7 million smart meters have been installed across Britain

The overwhelming majority of people with a smart meter (86 per cent) continue to make energy-saving changes and maintain the “enthusiasm” years after the device is installed, according to data from Smart Energy GB.

In Smart Energy GB’s Smart meters and energy usage: a survey of energy behaviour before and after upgrading to a smart meter report, 39 per cent of people surveyed said they fitted energy efficient lightbulbs after a smart meter was installed in their home.

The figure increased to more than two in three people (67 per cent) for those who have had their smart meter for more than two years.

The study, carried out in conjunction with Populus, found that more than three quarters of people (77 per cent) said they were “doing as much as they could” to save energy immediately after getting the device. This increased to 83 per cent for people who had their meter for two years or more.

Claire Maugham, director of policy and communications at Smart Energy GB, said: “This research shows that smart meters are bringing real changes to people’s bills for the millions of homes who’ve already had theirs installed – and that we’re using our smart meters to make positive changes to our energy behaviour more and more, the longer we have them.”

She added: “The national rollout of smart meters is bringing our energy system up to date, transforming how we use energy in our homes and building a reliable and secure energy supply for Great Britain.

“It’s no wonder that nearly half of British adults who don’t yet have a smart meter – that’s more than 20 million people – say they would like to have their smart meter installed in the next six months so they can feel the benefits right away.”

A total of 2,332 adults were surveyed for the report about their energy use in May.