Since starting on the energy race I have been looking into “Smart meters” and the possibility of migrating to these.  They are the new generation gas and electricity meters. With a smart meter you can see how much energy you’re using and what you’re spending, in pounds and pence. You’ll get accurate bills from your energy supplier – no more estimated bills.

I understand that we’re all entitled to a smart meter. Your gas and electricity company will provide and fit your smart meter for you – you don’t have to pay anything upfront. But this is a big national programme, with 50 million meters being fitted over 6 years. So, some of us will have to wait a while to get our meter.  By the end of 2020, around 50 million smart meters will be fitted in over 26 million households across Wales, Scotland and England. This is the biggest national infrastructure project in our lifetimes

The gas and energy companies are required to install smart meters in every home and business in Great Britain. But smart meters aren’t mandatory – consumers can choose not to opt in. This means the rollout is not something happening to us – it will only work if we all actively and enthusiastically opt in. Consumer confidence and understanding are key to the success of this initiative.

Right now, most people in the UK have no idea how much energy they're using at home, or what it's costing them. A third of us don't understand our energy bills.  By 2020, every home in the UK will be able to use smart meter technology to see exactly how much energy they're using, and what it's costing in pounds and pence. Householders will finally be able to confidently budget for their energy costs.  The rollout will bring immediate benefits to us as consumers, but also lays the foundation for Great Britain's move to a lower carbon economy and a secure energy supply.  So we'll be able to work out where we can save energy, cut our bills and do our bit for the environment.