Why smart meters are good for your wallet and great for the planet
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Ecotricity’s mission is to replace fossil fuels with green energy. Across Britain, smart meters are helping us make that happen, making efficient use of the renewable energy we already have while we continue to build more.
We turn our customers’ Bills into Mills – windmills, sunmills and green gasmills – and innovate in green technology. Vegan energy, grid scale batteries, our Smart Export Tariff and, yes, smart meters are all helping us in the push to build a greener Britain, faster.
How are smart meters helping to green up Britain’s energy system?
Smart meters tell energy companies when and where power is being used across the country, helping to balance supply and demand across the grid. That makes for a more efficient national system and makes the most of the renewable generation we have in place.
Smart meters also make it possible for us to offer our Smart Export Tariff so you can be paid for your excess generation and get more green electricity flowing through the grid.
Our EV Tariff gives electric vehicle drivers super-cheap electricity for five hours a night – all made possible by smart meters – which is helping power transport without fossil fuels.
In short, smart meters make sure the green energy we generate isn’t wasted – and that’s essential in the fight against climate change.
How do smart meters save you money?
The first benefit that most people notice when they upgrade to a smart meter is that they no longer need to send manual meter readings to their energy supplier.
Your energy use is measured and sent securely and automatically to your supplier, so you only ever pay for what you actually use. No more surprises, no more estimated bills.
Better still, your smart meter comes with an in-home display (IHD) that shows how much energy you’re using in near real time. This means you can find out how much any appliance is costing you by simply turning it on and seeing how your energy costs change on your portable display.
In this way, you can identify what’s costing you money – Devices on standby? Lights? Smart speakers? Tumble dryer? – and take action to fix the problem, cutting waste and lowering your bills.
Why are smart meters good for the planet?
Every smart meter we install helps to reduce carbon emissions and plays a part in the fight against climate change.
They’re making the national grid more efficient and helping people save energy at home. And of course, fewer vans on the road to take manual meter readings means less pollution and fewer carbon emissions.
It all helps. In fact, from April 2024 - April 2025, more than 1.25 million (1,255,508) tonnes of CO² emissions were saved by smart meters on the DCC network.
Upgrade to a smart meter for free
Take control of your bills and join millions of households already helping to build a greener Britain. Sign up here
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