John Baron MP welcomes potential £65 average saving on energy bills for homes in Basildon and Billericay

John with Monica Griffiths, a smart energy expert

MP says smart meters will help customers

John Baron MP has welcomed news today that around 500 households in his constituency are already benefiting from increased control over energy bills through British Gas smart meters, with average annual savings of £65 per household.

Smart meters mean for the first time households can see how much gas and electricity they are using, as they use it, and how much that costs in pounds and pence. By gaining insight into what they are spending and where, consumers can take control over their energy use and consequently their bills. Smart meters also send meter readings to suppliers automatically, seeing an end to estimated bills.

All energy companies are required to deliver smart meters to every home and business in the country by 2020, with British Gas already installing one million smart meters – around 75% of the total currently installed in Britain today.

John said:

“At a time when many people are struggling to make ends meet, this is good news for the families in Basildon and Billericay. Energy bills are a big worry for some households and anything that can provide greater transparency and help people take control of their costs and reduce waste is welcome.”

“Every home in the Basildon and Billericay will have a smart meter by 2020 and it is good to see British Gas helping constituents get the benefits today.”

Stuart Rolland, Managing Director of Smart Metering at British Gas said:

“British Gas is working hard to make sure people are in control of their energy bills, that’s one of the reasons we chose to get smart meters to our customers earlier than everyone else. 535 of our customers in Basildon and Billericay are already seeing the benefit of smart and we look forward to the rest joining them.”

Notes to Editors

1. Smart meters will put an end to estimated bills by sending energy suppliers exact meter readings automatically, meaning customers will only pay for the energy they use.  Customers will also be given a smart energy monitor which will display, for the first time, how much gas and electricity they are using and its cost in near real time.  Smart meters also allow for innovations like Smart Energy Reports which provide personalised advice, giving customers even more insight into how to reduce costs and waste even further.

1. The Government requires all homes and businesses to have a smart meter installed by 2020.  British Gas already has the largest number of smart meters in Britain with one million installed in homes and businesses so far.

1. The average British household would save over £65 per year (£65.50) based on the 5% reduction in energy usage calculated by Oxford Economics, given the average annual dual fuel bill of £1,310 according to Ofgem.

1. British Gas customers will receive a new smart meter when the life of their standard meter expires, but customers are also welcome to register their interest to see if they can get one sooner. Visit britishgas.co.uk/smartmeters to find out more.