E.ON has announced that five million self-reading smart meters are now providing customers with live data on how much energy they are using and what it is costing them at any time. Customers with a smart meter providing half hourly reads can take part in the Demand Flexibility Service (DFS), a new initiative this winter which rewards households for reducing their energy consumption at specified peak times.
The DFS is a project being run by the National Grid Electricity Supply Operators (ESO) which is available to energy suppliers and aims to reduce energy use at peak times to make the grid greener this winter. Lowering peak time energy usage will make use of more off-peak renewable energy, lower peak time energy prices, and avoid using back-up coal generators that are heavily polluting.
The smart meter milestone is key to E.ON’s ambition to help customers better manage their energy, the first step in a sustainable and personalised energy system that brings the UK’s energy market into the 21st century.
Michael Lewis, Chief Executive of E.ON UK, said: “We’ve always championed smart meters and the benefits they bring - making it easier for consumers to monitor their costs in near real time and helping them to understand ways to cut their energy use.
“Smart meters are the foundation of a smarter energy system and we’re already seeing thousands of smart customers take part in the new Demand Flexibility Service that pays people to reduce their energy use at times of high demand on the national grid.”
Smart meters provide a live view of energy consumption to customers, allowing people to see where and when they might be able to reduce their consumption. They also send data directly to energy suppliers, removing the need to read the meter and putting an end to estimated bills.
E.ON continues to work towards meeting UK Government targets of getting smart meters into every home by 2025, helping to support a more effective energy grid and allow more accurate energy production and efficient supply.
E.ON’s technicians also take the opportunity to provide personalised energy saving advice to customers while they are visiting their homes to fit their smart meters.
E.ON Next customers who do not yet have a smart meter can request one or find out more here.
