Over the next five years energy suppliers will be going into every home in the country, removing the traditional gas and electricity meters customers are currently using, and replacing them with new smart meters.
Smart meters will give customers real time information about their energy use and make estimated billing a thing of the past. But how do they work?
As you can see from the image above, in-home display units show how much energy is being used and how much it costs. This allows customers to get a real time look at how they can save money.
The data is relayed to and from the meter by the customer’s communications hub which allows a central IT provider known as the Data and Communication Company (DCC) to communicate with smart devices. The information is gathered centrally before being issued to the relevant suppliers.
Once the DCC shares the information with your energy supplier an accurate bill is produced meaning no more need for estimated billing or meter readings.