Policy & Research
Smart meters
Smart metering – Go Smart
Government wants all of us to have our gas and electricity meters replaced with smart meters by 2019. Some companies are already rolling out this new technology and there are expected to be at least two million new meters on the walls by 2012.
Rollout will be a major undertaking involving visits to every home in Great Britain and many small businesses. It has the potential to radically change the energy retail market, the products and services we are offered, and how customers use and are charged for energy.
Consumer Focus is working to ensure that all customers are protected in a smart world and that everyone benefits, no matter where they live, what their circumstances or how wealthy they are. The installation of smart meters is estimated to cost more than £11 billion - energy customers need to know they are getting value for money for the smart meters they are paying for.
For a summary of our work on smart meters, see:
- Focus On Smart Metering (PDF 2.7MB)
- Response to the Smart Metering Decision Document May 2011. WEET (PDF 656KB)
Further information:
- What is a smart meter?
- Key issues
- How we represent consumers
- Consultation responses and submissions
- Research
Useful links:
Latest News
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Smart moves on meters but a closer eye is needed on costs – says consumer watchdog
5 April 2012
Responding to DECC’s announcements on smart meters today, Audrey Gallacher, Director of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘There is good news here for customers with wins on data privacy, sales and marketing and engagement with consumers. But we continue to have concerns that the costs of the scheme may be underestimated and that costs for [...]
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Government assurances on voluntary smart meter roll-out
1 February 2012
Following DECC confirmation of Government assurances that it will be voluntary rather than compulsory for households to have a smart energy meter fitted, Zoe McLeod, energy expert at Consumer Focus, said: ‘It is welcome that the Government has clarified that customers have a choice over whether they have a smart meter or not. Smart meters have [...]
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Sharper focus needed on efficiency and consumer benefits of smart meters
17 January 2012
Welcoming the Public Accounts Committee report on preparations for the roll-out of smart meters, Zoe McLeod, energy expert at Consumer Focus, said: ‘This report echoes concerns that we have raised repeatedly about the cost and rollout of smart meters. There are many potential benefits of smart metering but they will only be realised if Government [...]
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Increased energy credit reference checks could penalise consumers
15 October 2011
Increased use of credit reference information by energy firms, and the greater use of energy customer data by Credit Reference Agencies1 (CRAs), could have negative consequences for consumers, warns Consumer Focus as it publishes a new report today. Energy firms are increasingly using CRA data to make sure that customers can and will pay.2 However [...]
more news on: smart meters
Latest Publications
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Getting to grips with smart displays – Research review
7 November 2011
The Government has said it would consider how best to ensure that, when providing customers with In-Home Displays (IHDs), suppliers meet consumers' accessibility requirements in order to support customers to reduce their energy consumption in both the short and longer term. With this in mind Consumer Focus commissioned Ricability, a specialist consumer research organisation to review relevant reports, guidelines and published papers in order to shed light on factors that can affect usability of IHDs.
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On the record – Energy suppliers and credit reference information
15 October 2011
The UK’s energy companies hold a wealth of information about their customers; the introduction of smart meters will mean they have access to a great deal more. Some energy companies share their customers' payment information with a large number of financial organisations, such as banks and other lenders, through one or more credit reference agency.
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Getting to grips with smart displays
25 August 2011
The Government has proposed that all homes in Great Britain have smart meters installed by 2019. Alongside their smart meter every customer will be provided with an In-Home Display (IHD) capable of displaying near real-time information on their energy consumption and other related data.
more publications on: smart meters
