Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 14 July 2022

NUNEATON and Bedworth Borough Council (NBBC) are encouraging residents to use smart meters, as they can help those on a tight budget.

The Borough Council are suggesting the use of the meters as they are able to keep track of how much electricity and gas is being used up – and they sport a display which show people exactly how much energy that they are using.

The meters can help people who are struggling to make ends meet, especially when they are aiming to save some pennies up.

As well as this, they help to put you in control of how much energy is being used inside a property, which helps to adopt energy efficiency measures that can help to save money on energy bills and offset price increases.

The meters are installed by gas and electricity companies, who safely and securely swap out and replace old energy meters at no extra cost.

If the gas and electricity bills are addressed to you personally and you are actively paying them, you are able to directly ask an energy supplier for a smart meter.

If you are renting, you do not need permission from a landlord to get one installed, but they should at least be informed that a meter has been fitted.

If you are a prepay customer you can get a smart meter too.

Prepay smart meters allow you to top up online, on your mobile, at the shops, or from the comfort of your own home – whenever it suits you.

How to get a smart meter

If you’re looking to get a smart meter, you are able to do so by simply getting in touch with your energy supplier and asking for one. Contact details for your energy supplier can be located on your bills.

A list of some supplier’s free-phone and textphone numbers have been collated by Smart Energy.

Coun. Clare Golby, the Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing and Communities, said: “We all know money is tight. My team at the council want to help our customers as much as possible and one way of doing this is to save energy and reduce bills.

“These smart meters are a good way of monitoring energy use in the home and give you more control. They are provided for free, so we’re encouraging people to take up the offer of having one installed by their energy provider.”