using the most energy and how they might be able to shift some of their usage to different, cheaper times of day. Most importantly, this information is invaluable in helping people to make long-term behavioural changes to reduce their energy consumption, something which we are all under increasing pressure to do. Ultimately, it is impossible to reduce something that is not being measured in the first place.
First Utility recently commissioned research from YouGov to highlight the day-to-day issues that consumers face when it comes to their energy usage. We know from our own customer feedback that smart meters are really enabling people to make a difference to their energy bills – 56% of our customers surveyed believed that their smart meter and access to energy usage information had led to a positive change in their behaviour when it comes to energy.
First Utility has also partnered with Google PowerMeter, the first of its kind in the UK, and is just one example of our commitment to being an innovative energy company. By working with Google we can help consumers to see a near-real-time display of their energy usage through their iGoogle account on their computer or mobile phone. There are options that allow consumers to look at their energy usage over various periods of time from hour to hour, day to day and week to week. As well as being able to customise the account by setting goals and tracking progress.
Many businesses may be familiar with smart meters following their previous contribution as an ‘Early Action Metric’ in the Carbon Reduction Commitment scheme, offering matrix points to encourage uptake. Not only has this allowed businesses to reduce their carbon emissions but also manage their energy consumption and spending. Alongside this there are a range of government initiatives in place that encourage solutions to targets such as zero-carbon new build homes, through which the government hopes to meet the target of cutting CO2 emissions by at least 60% by 2050. Smart meters also contribute towards environmental obligations and targets such as the Code for Sustainable Homes. The Code for Sustainable Homes is an environmental impact rating system for housing in England and Wales, setting new standards for energy efficiency and sustainability which are not mandatory under current building regulations but represent important developments towards limiting the environmental impact of housing. Not forgetting smart meters are a great selling point when the homes are sold – demonstrating to potential buyers just how innovative and environmentally-focused a development is. First Utility has been working with developers to install smart meters into both private and public sector properties. A recent example would be our work with Fairview Homes, a property developer and house building contractor. As a property developer with multiple sites across the UK, energy provision can be fraught with issues. One of the key issues is the reconciliation of
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the energy bills from plot to sale and the administrative headache that they can be on head office staff.
This
can be compounded when it is difficult to get any kind of energy usage visibility. Overcoming this issue increases the efficiencies across the business.
In my experience, education is key and will greatly improve the success of smart metering. It is therefore vital that all parties – government, industry, the media, regulators – play their role in helping to educate the wider public. As demand for energy awareness increases, technology continues to develop to meet this demand. With smart meters set to become mandatory within the next decade, forward thinking businesses and households are adopting this technology now, ahead of the curve and are reaping the real benefits as a result.
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