Be Smarter With Energy
When pockets are hurting and energy is in short supply – what do you do?
For most of us we have to start looking at ways to save money and cut consumption.
In short, being smarter with our energy.
So – how exactly do you go about doing just that?
Why are smart meters everywhere?
As part of the UK’s plan to modernise our energy network, there is a large push to roll out smart meters across the country. This is hoped to improve energy efficiency, track and understand energy consumption, and reduce the UK carbon footprint.
What are the benefits of a smart meter roll-out?
Customers with smart meters will no longer have to rely on estimated bills and will have better awareness of the energy they consume. The vast majority of people with smart meters say that they are much better aware of their energy consumption and have taken steps to be more sustainable.
Higher awareness of energy consumption and the UK’s move to a smart grid will enable better integration of renewable technologies. This brings a cleaner energy network for all.
How do smart meters work?
Smart meters need to be first installed at business or domestic premises by a certified installer. Customers of Niccolo Gas and Power can have their smart meters entirely free of charge. Simply contact your energy supplier to arrange an appointment for installation.
Smart meters work in a very similar way to traditional energy meters, registering the amount of energy you use. But the one big difference is that smart meters are capable of communication – both between nearby devices and with your energy supplier.
Smart meters – part of your home
Smart meters are capable of communicating wirelessly with other devices within your property, with a communications hub, and any other smart appliances you own. Communication will be via a Home Area Network (HAN) and with domestic customers will also include a smart display.
Smart communication
Meters will then communicate energy consumption to your energy supplier via the Wide Area Network (WAN). You don’t need to worry about security as these networks are encrypted. The infrastructure for the HAN and WAN is deployed by the Data Communications Company.
Smart meters track consumption and communicate it directly to your supplier, which eliminates the need for you to take readings. They can also communicate other important maintenance information about meter functionality.
Smart timing
Smart meters record consumption every 30 minutes but it is entirely up to you when you share that information with your supplier. This could be as frequent as every 30 minutes or as infrequent as once a month.
Only the absolutely necessary information is sent and is done so under the protection of a special standard of encryption so that your data is entirely safe between you and your supplier. Once readings have been sent you will then be able to receive an accurate, up-to-date bill without the inconvenience of contacting your supplier to provide them with readings.
For Niccolo Gas and Power customers, the process of upgrading is incredibly simple.
But what about my data?
There are some prevailing myths about data security and the right to privacy.
Obviously, data privacy is a huge concern and rightly so. Keeping your information safe is our top priority.
So, we are going to debunk some of the most pesky myths around smart meters.
Smart meters help hackers to get their hands on my data
This is perhaps the most common worry.
But there is nothing to stress about as smart meters communicate with your energy supplier via a secure wireless network built and maintained by the Data Communications Company. This works in a similar way to other technologies like mobile phones and Wi-fi routers and your data is encrypted to an incredibly high standard.
The government departments of DECC and GCHQ both worked alongside DCC to ensure this network at least matches the standard used by international banks.
My energy data will be bought and sold between companies
Selling energy consumption data is not something that energy suppliers currently do or plan to do. Smart meter data is entirely private and is only used to ensure accurate billing.
In fact, not even the DCC is capable of reading your data. It is encrypted before it even reaches them and sent to your supplier without them able to see it. It’s almost like a parcel courier receiving a package and knowing where to deliver it to, but they aren’t allowed to look inside.
The only thing that may be shared is your name, address, and contact information to any partners who will be installing your meter. Only the energy supplier will be able to see your consumption data which they may use to help develop new products and services tailored to their customers.
Smart meter data will be used to work out my routines and impinge on my privacy rights
Page Break
This is a two-part myth.
Although smart meters do provide much more detailed information to your supplier about usage patterns, the information isn’t used to figure out when you are in the shower or when you are cooking a weekly roast.
In fact, the aim is to be able to illustrate how behavioural changes like shifting your energy use to different times of day will be able save you money and reduce demand on the energy network. Of course, to do this, smart meters will need to record usage every 30 minutes and you choose whether you share this information on a half-hourly, daily, or monthly basis. You are also able to change your mind at any point.
How else can I be smarter with energy
Although not everyone is ready to move to a smart meter, it is heavily recommended.
If you would prefer not to install a smart meter but still want to reduce energy costs, then you can look at the devices around your house.
We have created a short list of some of the biggest technological advances in the home, and what a new device could do for energy bills…
TVs
Plasma TV displays really became available in the 1990s. At this point most households hosted chunky CRT television models, which would cost nearly double what a modern flatscreen would to run.
CRT televisions cost anywhere between £23.05 and £43.52 a year to run on average, although these figures could yet be an underestimation. A flatscreen from 2011 would costs around £10.37 to £12.94 a year.
Fridges
Many household items and devices can be unplugged to reduce stand-by costs, but fridges cannot. In the modern world many fridges come as a fridge-freezer with auto-defrost technology and other big energy saving tactics.
In the 1990s, you’d expect to use over 1,000 kWh in a year – roughly £100 a year to run your fridge. Now, energy conscious fridge-freezer models cost between £20 and £60 to run. Many UK homes still have older models under the assumption that it is cheaper to avoid buying a new appliance.
Washing Machines
Usage costs with washing machines varies massively depending on your household type. A family of four people could very easily do 6-8 washes a week which could add up to a massive sum at the end of the year.
A 5kg washing machine washing at 90 degrees in 1990 would use around 2.1kWh. Modern machines now could cost as little as £16 a year with a load every two days. This is 30% less energy with a modern machine.
Lighting
Energy-saving lightbulbs are synonymous with conscientious living and there has been huge uptake in recent years. The festive periods of the year see massive increases in energy usage, so offer a fantastic method of comparing energy changes…
Fairy lights using traditional incandescent bulbs with a filament and 2,000 lights would set you back £53.70 for four weeks of usage. Now, more people than ever are using low-energy LED fairy lights. These LEDs use around 10% of the energy that an incandescent light bulb would, and four weeks comes to a paltry £5.52.
Niccolo Gas and Power – the smartest choice
Unlike some suppliers, we actually want to talk to you.
If you are interested in our wide range of tailor-made product offerings then simply get in contact with us today. Or if you would like to find out more about anything discussed in this article, contact us directly or browse our website for ready-made solutions.
When you reach out to us, we will respond as soon as possible with our best prices – saving you money on your energy supply.
You can visit our website at https://niccolo.co.uk/contact-us
Or give us a call on 0131 610 8868
You can even email us directly at info@niccolo.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you!