The government recently announced the commitment to deliver smart meters to every home in Britain. A national roll-out of smart meters cross Britain is being planned replacing 46 million meters in all 25 million homes across the country by 2020.

Steve Knox, Managing Director of Hallmark says ‘At the moment to ensure there is a successful delivery programme it is essential that the planning stages are thorough, which will take time. Industry experts have explained that at present the major energy suppliers are still trialling and testing the smart technology before they officially launch into the market.'

The Energy Retail Association explain ‘Smart Meters' are the next generation of electricity and gas meters which will bring about the end of estimated bills and meter readings, and provide customers and energy suppliers with accurate and timely information. Suppliers will install two-way communication systems that display accurate real-time information on energy use in the home to the consumer and back to the energy supplier*. Once installed, an integral benefit to the consumer is the ability to switch and manage their energy supply without any concerns.

Currently, there have been a few companies stating they are now installing smart meters. Sometime these systems do not work on the ‘Smart' technology and distract away from the main agenda of real smart meters. Some do not provide two-way, real time communication necessary for accurate billing and just read the existing meters or a devise installed. Others go further to also tie consumers into contracts, which can be costly.

Steve explains, "Smart technology is still under consultation. There is absolutely no doubt that when the new Smart Meters are introduced they will provide major benefits to all concerned." Steve's advice for any letting agent who is thinking about having smart meters installed is to research and ask questions to any company that state they can install smart meters. Don't let them out-smart you!

The key benefits of smart meters to British consumers are:

1. Accurate, up-to-date information the energy they are using
2. Facilitate the creation of flexible tariffs
3. Automatic meter readings that end estimated bills
4. The same electricity and gas meter for everyone
5. Removing the additional cost of service pre-pre-payment meters
6. Enabling consumers to sell energy back to supplier, facilitating microgeneration technology
7. A positive impact on fuel poverty and carbon emission
8. Better forecasting of energy demands at different times of the day.

Hallmark is a familiar name to letting agents having built their trust and reputation in the industry for a number of years with 1000s of letting agents currently on their books.

Hallmark provides a complete utility solution for FREE taking away the everyday problems letting agents have to face with managing utilities for properties. Products are all aimed at making the life of landlords, tenants and letting agents a lot easier.


www.energy-retail.org.uk

For more information and feedback/comment please email enquiries@hallmarkcorporate.com