Smart meters 'will help reduce energy waste'

Article date : 10/11/2009

Written by Tony Harrison

Every person in the UK could be allocated a personal 'carbon allowance' ration and receive fines should they use too much fossil fuel, according to a recent proposal.

Lord Smith, chairman of the Environment Agency, has this week claimed that introducing personal carbon allowances over the next 20 years is a fair way of helping the country meet its emissions reduction targets.

However, Philip Sellwood, chief executive of Energy Saving Trust, said that smart meters and educating people about how to consume energy efficiently were important steps to be taken before introducing such schemes.

"You wouldn't go food shopping in a store with no prices listed but instead get a bill at the end that isn't itemised - this is exactly the way your energy costs are currently presented," he explained.

Mr Sellwood stated that once smart meters are installed, energy bills will no longer be a mystery, as homeowners will know where they can lower their utility consumption.

The trust recommends products such as condensing boilers and heating controls as ways of ensuring central heating systems are as green as possible.

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