27/10/2021
Smart Meters - Really useful gadgets!
With high energy costs, it's good to be able to see the actual consumption in your home on the smart meter.
Here is an example of when a toaster is switched on. The "before" shot is when no heating or cooking equipment is on. The "after" image is when the 4 slice toaster is switched on. The cost per hour goes from 8 pence per hour to 38 pence per hour!
Below you can see the effect of switching on a toaster. The smart meter indicates the toaster costs an extra 30 pence an hour! But since it's only used a few minutes, the cost to toast 4 slices of bread for say, 2 minutes is only about 1 or 2 pennies. Not a big cost, but it's only a toaster. If you switch on a 1 kw electric fire, and run it for a hour or longer, then the cost builds up. Even at 8 pence per hour with no electric heating on, this cost for 24 hours will be £1.92 a day or £57.60 for 30 day month. So already, this meter is showing how expensive electricity costs. Now, add cooking costs and heating costs and the bills can mount up very quickly!
Another surprising revelation is different household fixtures. By switching on different lights in the house, and different electrical items, you can find out which items are costing you the most.
Try the Switchwise Running Cost calculators to see how much different equipment costs. (https://www.switchwise.co.uk/electricity-cost-calculator/)
This particular smart switch in the pictures was provided by British Gas as you can see. But most providers will install a smart meter. Just ask them and see what they say.
Take control of your costs and this will help keep the bills a little lower.
Try saving on energy bills by comparing and finding the least expensive supply. The quickest way to find all home energy prices is to use an energy price comparison service such as Switchwise.co.uk
https://www.switchwise.co.uk/home-energy-prices/