As the colder weather approaches and thoughts turn to boiler services, electric blankets and thermostat settings, Glaswegians who prepay for their energy are being urged to take control of their energy bills by upgrading to a smart meter. 
   
With new research showing that over a third of people in Glasgow (36%) feel less confident about being able to afford their energy bills this winter compared to last winter, and with nearly three quarters (73%) planning to cut back on spending in other areas to pay for their energy bills, Smart Energy GB is urging the city’s residents to upgrade their analogue prepay meter to a smart meter, at no extra cost. 

Victoria Bacon, Director at Smart Energy GB, said: “Outdated analogue prepay meters with clunky top-up keys or cards are becoming a thing of the past.

“Smart meters are transforming the experience of buying and managing energy for people with prepayment meters, who currently have to struggle with the inconvenience and lack of visibility that comes with an analogue key system. 

“Smart prepay meters give people the option to top up energy credit online, via an app and
on the phone, as well as providing information about how much energy they’re using and
what it’s costing them.

“They can also make it easier to access some types of government grant. Last year’s Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS), which provided £400 of support, was automatically added to the credit of smart prepay customers, while those with an analogue meter had to redeem a voucher to claim their support.

“We would encourage prepayment customers to get in touch with their energy supplier to
find out when they can upgrade to a smart meter.”

Many Glaswegians are already benefitting from making the upgrade, with nearly eight in 10 (78%) saying they would recommend a smart meter to those on analogue prepay, and six in 10 (59%) saying their smart meter makes it easier to budget. 

Amanda from the southside of Glasgow upgraded her analogue electricity prepay meter to a smart meter two years ago.

She said: “I’m really glad that I asked my energy supplier to replace my old prepay meter with a new smart prepay meter. I can budget more easily now because I can see how much energy we’re using and how much money we’re spending each day on the in-home display. I could never see how much was left on my old prepay meter because it was tucked away in a cupboard. 

“The fact that you can top up online instead of going out to the shops is also a big help, especially if you’re ill. When I was pregnant it was especially helpful to be able to top it up from my phone, instead of having to go out to do it. 

“I’d recommend getting a smart meter to everyone with an old prepay meter.  It’s been a big help to me in understanding how much everything costs, like showers and the tumble dryer. I try to encourage my children to take shorter showers now, because I can see how much it costs on the in-home display. 

“I think a smart meter would be particularly helpful to older people, so that they can see how much they’re using and spending each day, and they won’t have to worry about running out of energy unexpectedly or going outside to top it up.” 

Frazer Scott, CEO of Energy Action Scotland, said: “Smart meters are the technological evolution that we need, as households, if we are to better manage our energy needs and household budgets.

“Far too many households are disadvantaged with inaccurate, over-estimated bills which add to the relentless cost of living pressures. Smart meters remove the need to provide meter readings to energy companies and ensure that people pay the correct price for the actual 
energy they use. It puts an end to estimated bills and allows us stay in control of our outgoings.

“In addition, the in-home display that connects to the smart meter can help provide people with information to manage, better understand or reduce their consumption.

“People with older prepayment meters could benefit the most from changing to a smart meter as they can cut out costly and frequent journeys to top up their meters which in winter months puts the health and wellbeing of vulnerable people at unnecessary risk.”

If you have a prepay meter and are interested in upgrading to smart prepay, please contact your energy supplier to request a smart meter installation, or visit www.smartenergygb.org.