The government is looking into putting smart meters into homes and businesses to watch energy use and hopefully cut carbon footprints, the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform has said.
Following a trial of 40,000 households, the government and four industry partners are running a consultation until the end of October on metering and billing which will examine the use of real-time visual displays, so people can tell how much energy they're using, and smart meters, which would communicate usage directly to suppliers, rather than rely on meter readings or estimates. Customers could also access real-time usage information via the internet or digital TV.
"Cutting carbon emissions is one of the greatest challenges we face," said energy minister Malcolm Wicks. "Smart meters provide the chance for each one of us to play our part, providing better information and more accurate billing. It is vital that we make best use of this emerging technology that will not only help cut our energy use but reduce our bills too."
The proposals include requiring real-time displays to any new meters installed from 2008 and to any houses requesting them between 2008 and 2010, as well as to the majority of businesses over the next five years.
