It appears that knowing about smart meters, and thinking about having one installed, is very effective at getting people to take action to monitor their usage and take action. In fact, according to new research published by Smart Energy GB, it is more effective than actually having the meter installed.
According to the report, 86% of smart meter owners had changed their behaviour, and 54% had made changes to their home. But knowing about smart meters and nit having one was even more effective: 97% said they had changed their behaviour and 64% had made changes to their home. Non-owners also talked about it more and purchased more products than owners.
Well, the report is all self-reported and clearly both those who knew about, and those who owned, smart meters were more clued-up than those who knew litt;e about smart. But it all this suggests one way we could save consumers’ money on the smart meter roll-out and make still more customer savings: make it all talk and no action. An ideal task for government.