Smart saves you 6%, Smarter saves you much more

In the first quantitative analysis from real world usage of smart meters, British Gas has revealed that customers could save up to 6% on their annual bills by using smart meters.

British Gas pinpointed the existence of a visible “smart meter energy monitor” as the key factor in encouraging more efficient behaviour in suitably equipped premises.

The survey revealed that those involved used 6% less gas and 7% less electricity by “simply by being more aware of their energy use”.

British Gas managing director of smart metering Jorge Pikunic said:

“Small changes to everyday habits can make a big difference to how much energy you use.

“But to know what changes to make, people need real time information and smart meters provide just that.”

Whilst a 6% saving is not to be sniffed at, the potential efficiencies illustrated from this survey pale into comparison with opportunities on offer through better negotiation of the actual energy deal.

For instance in recent weeks:

• Business Juice saved a property management company from London £86,346 on their gas renewal cutting their bills by 49% despite the cost of gas only decreasing by 3% over the period

• And we saved a restaurant from the North East £31416 on their gas renewal cutting their bills by 55% despite the cost of gas only decreasing by 2% over the period

• Also we saved a restaurant from the North West £33,377 on their electricity renewal cutting their bills by 25% despite the cost of electricity increasing by 6% over the period

• And saved another property management company from the East Midlands £35981 on their electricity renewal cutting their bills by 21% despite the cost of electricity increasing by 1% over the period

• Whilst we saved a hair dressing salon from the South East £3066 on their gas renewal cutting their bills by 48% despite the cost of gas only decreasing by 3% over the period

• And saved a dentist from the South East £6472 on their electricity renewal cutting their bills by 42% despite the cost of electricity increasing by 2% over the period

That is not to say smart meters are to be avoided, indeed the deals above included smart meters as standard enabling the customers not only to save on their p/kWh but also on their actual energy usage.

The lesson? You can never do too much to reduce your energy costs.