A new study by Smart Energy GB has found that nearly six in 10 prepay energy customers who do not have a smart meter are worried about their energy bills.
Around two-thirds (65%) of 1,000 energy customers surveyed in January on a non-smart prepay meter said their s pending has increased during lockdowns caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Smart Energy is a campaign to help people understand more about smart meters and their rollout across Scotland, England and Wales as traditional analogue meters are replaced.
Some 57 per cent of people on non-smart prepayment meters said that since the latest restrictions they were quite or very worried about their energy bills.
Smart meters have a display which helps people understand their energy spending in ‘real time’.
People may also find they can access certain energy tariffs which could work out cheaper.
A third of those surveyed (34%) on non-smart prepayment meters said leaving the house to top up was the most irritating thing about having one.
Other concerns included running out of energy at a bad time and losing the meter key.
Fflur Lawton, head of public affairs at Smart Energy GB, said: "Increased energy bills can be a worry for anyone, but we know there is extra pressure on people with prepayment meters, who tend to be living in more vulnerable circumstances.
"Both prepay and credit smart meters offer the opportunity for people to take control of their energy use and start to understand the changes they could make in order to help them save energy and money at a time when more and more people are living with financial worries and difficulties."
