We’d been weighing up the idea of a smart meter for a while, partly because we’d had some especially high bills and didn’t know why. We decided to go for it, figuring it would be good to know where we could cut back. And if that benefits the environment too? Even better.
It didn’t take us long to get to grips with what a “normal” day’s energy consumption looks like for our family. Typically, we spend between £1 and £2 a day (rarely more), so if we see the meter creeping up towards that limit, we’ll check what’s on and turn off any appliances not in use. But it’s not just about the cost to us, it’s about the cost to the planet.
As a family, we aim to live as sustainably as we can, and we’re always looking for ways we can lessen our carbon footprint, which is why the smart meter really appealed. At home, we recycle and use a food waste caddy, and we try to limit what goes into the landfill bins – there’s a local TerraCycle scheme where we live, in Cardiff, which we use regularly too. When I’m in the shower, I turn the water off while I’m shampooing my hair, and I use waste water for plants, rather than pouring it down the sink. When it comes to shopping, I try not to buy single-use plastics that can’t be recycled (or any unnecessary plastics in fact), and I always aim to buy local, rather than things that have been imported. So of course we want to consume energy carefully too.
Having a smart meter installed led to some surprising discoveries. Let’s start with heating. Turning it on for just 30 minutes showed a big spike in our energy consumption – much more than anticipated. Now, if we’re chilly, I, my husband Eoin and our son Reuben all put on a jumper – and then if we’re still cold, we’ll turn the heating on. Our oven is another villain. Apparently, it’s not very energy-efficient – and it’s shocking to see how quickly the meter jumps up when it’s in use. We now cook and prepare food in more energy efficient ways, such as in the microwave or on the hob. For us though, the biggest surprise was that simply getting a smart meter is a step towards a greener energy network.
It’s definitely changed our habits around the home – now I turn most things off at the mains when we’re not using them (except the TV, because it’s fiddly to keep turning off and on again). I’ll unplug appliances too, like the kettle or toaster, if the socket doesn’t have a switch – even the small amounts of energy they drain add up over time. And what’s the point wasting energy unnecessarily? I used to charge my phone overnight, but I’ve stopped that now – it’s not great for the battery anyway, so I just plug it in when it’s in need. Ultimately, I’m really pleased to have found a way of helping the planet and our bills at the same time.
We all want to make big changes to help our planet, but sometimes to make big changes, we have to start small. Smart meters can’t solve the climate crisis on their own but with the smarter, more energy efficient grid they help to create, they’re a start. To find out more about installing a smart meter in your home, search “I want a smart meter” or call 0300 131 8000*.
This article was paid for by Smart Energy GB, a government-backed organisation tasked with informing Great Britain about the smart meter rollout.
* Eligibility may vary. Available in England, Scotland and Wales by 2020. Calls to this number from UK landlines and mobiles are charged at the standard rate (i.e. the same as calls to 01 and 02 numbers), and may be included in your usual call allowance. Please check with your provider.
