SMART CHOICE

Why prepay energy users could benefit from using a smart meter to make topping up easier than ever

WHEN her energy balance is running low, the last thing Chelsea wants to do is find the time to pop to the shops to top up. Chelsea, a single mum to three children, has a smart meter in prepay mode, which allows her to top up from the comfort of her own home. “Being able to top up from my phone at home is so much easier,” says Chelsea, 26, from Worcestershire. “It’s much better not having to take the little ones out to the shop, especially when it’s cold, pouring with rain or getting late at night. The top-up usually appears almost immediately, so I don’t have to wait.”

When she put her washing in the tumble dryer, mum of two Ellie Cohen noticed a huge spike on her smart meter display. Ellie, 37, from Birmingham, had the gadget installed last year and loves seeing how much it costs to power all her appliances. “Before I had it installed, I had no idea how much it was costing to use the tumble dryer,” Ellie says. “It was really draining my credit, so I decided to buy a heated airer, which is much cheaper to run, and it still dries clothes within a day. “The smart meter display has really helped me feel more in control of my energy costs.” Smart meters measure how much gas and electricity you’re using, just like traditional meters. But they also show you how much it’s costing you on a smart meter display. For those who have prepay meters in cupboards or under the stairs, smart meters mean an easy way to keep an eye on credit, with the ability to top up on your mobile and online, as well as in store. Jessica, 41, lives with her husband and three children in Chertsey, Surrey. She says: “It was a huge inconvenience having to drag the children to the shop to top up when I noticed the meter was running low. “It happened once just at bath time and the lights went out. I had to take all three out and they were very upset. Now I can do it online or via an app on my phone and it makes life so much easier. “It takes a matter of minutes and we get power back in minutes. It’s also easy to see when it’s about to run out, so we don’t have any last-minute panics.”

The smart meter display can show your available balance (figures for illustrative purposes)

“It’s easy to see when our credit is about to run out, so we don’t have a last-minute panic”

“i don’t have to take the little ones to the shop when it’s cold or late”

Kate, 25, from north London, has also used her smart meter display to help her find simple switches to save energy. She says: “I cooked everything using the oven. I would even reheat beans and leftovers in it. “But the display on the smart meter in prepay mode helped me see that it was far cheaper to use the microwave where possible. “I cook jacket potatoes in the microwave now and, for quick dinners for the kids, like fish fingers or chicken nuggets, I use my air fryer.” With a smart meter you can see how much you are using in pounds and pence in near real time. Kate adds: “I love being able to see how much it costs to use everything in the house. This has really helped me manage my bills.”

GOOD TO KNOW

Smart meters allow you to top up from the comfort of your home, online, via an app, phone or text. You can still also top up in shops if you want. The in-home display helps you see at a glance how much energy you are using. You can easily see how much credit you have left, so you’ll always know when it’s time to top up thanks to the smart meter display.

Find out more about smart meters for prepay customers* at smartenergygb.org

Get a smart meter

*Eligibility may vary, consumer action required

Chelsea is a single mum to three children