Moving into a new place with a flatmate is an adventure, especially when it highlights differences like energy habits. After some trial and error, we finally set up our smart meter, which now tracks our energy use in real-time. Hopefully, it’ll inspire both of us to be more conscious about consumption!
I just moved into a new place!! Moving is always a bit tricky, but even more so for me because I have a flat mate. There’s a housing crisis in the UK at the moment and I get it, but I’m not from here. Where I’m from, living with a flat mate who you don’t know from before is just not a thing.
Why should you care? Aside from all the other stuff that comes with getting to know someone, I have to tell you that I have realised my level of energy use consciousness??!! We’ll talk about that later because she literally leaves the light on overnight. Would I have recognised that before embarking on my journey to full consciousness? Idk man.
Anyways! This past weekend, our landlord Sam (not his real name) called. He wanted to know what the meter reading was. Now, I’m not totally clueless. I’ve done this before, at work. But here I was. I was put to the test! And I kind of failed lol. After pushing several buttons, my roommate Julie (not her real name) just opened her laptop and started Googling how to read a smart meter.
In a world where your smartphone can tell you how many steps you’ve taken—even if it’s just to the fridge—it’s about time your energy meter got a glow-up. The smart meter is a gadget that’s like a personal trainer for your energy consumption.
Imagine if your energy meter had a personality—one that’s chatty, informative, and a little sassy. Smart meters measure and record your energy use, giving you real-time updates. It’s like having a tiny energy accountant in your home, but instead of crunching numbers, it’s crunching your bad energy habits and serving them back to you on a silver platter. Like, “Oh, you left the lights on again? Wow, do better!”
With a smart meter, you’ll no longer need to take manual readings for your gas and electricity. Smart meters provide real-time information on your energy use, allowing you to manage your usage better, save money, and reduce emissions. They communicate directly with your electricity supplier, ensuring accurate billing and eliminating the need for estimated bills. You only pay for what you actually use, putting an end to the guessing games of energy bills. And also, Sam (the landlord) can check the readings from wherever he is abroad.
Smart meters help identify energy guzzlers in your home, like that one light bulb that thinks it’s the star of a Broadway show and refuses to dim. With a smart meter, you can eliminate energy-wasting habits and save money, benefiting both your wallet and the planet. But, there’s more. Meet the portable solar battery pack—the Robin to your smart meter’s Batman. These powerhouses store renewable energy, providing backup power during outages and reducing reliance on the grid. Combining smart meters with solar generators not only saves money but also supports environmental sustainability. Guys, it’s about a conscious effort!!
While smart meters may not directly lower your energy bills, the data they provide makes you more conscious of your consumption, inspiring better decisions that can lead to savings over time. After some trial and error, we finally got our smart meter sorted out. We placed the meter on top of the microwave, a convenient spot that kept it out of the way but still accessible.
Now, as we read the meter over the next few weeks, I will tell you whether Julie thinks it may be better to turn off the lights whilst she’s asleep.
References
Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (2020) *Smart Meters: A Guide for Consumers*
Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smart-meters-a-guide-for-consumers (Accessed: 9 August 2024).
Energy Saving Trust (2021) *Smart Meters: What Are They and How Do They Work?*
Available at: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/smart-meters/ (Accessed: 9 August 2024).
International Renewable Energy Agency (2022) *Portable Solar Battery Storage: A Guide*.
Available at: https://www.irena.org/publications/2022/Mar/Portable-Solar-Battery-Storage (Accessed: 9 August
2024).
