Comment on the news British Gas is creating 2,600 green jobs to roll out smart meters

Published:

01/07/2009

Topic:

Press Release,Gas & Electricity

Scott Byrom, utilities manager at price comparison site, moneysupermarket.com, said:

"This move is welcome news indeed to the utilities market and to bill payers across the country; the skilled new recruits will be able to advise customers on the range of tariffs available, as well as to help households understand smart meters and how to save money on their fuel bills. There is a desperate need for opening up communications between providers and customers in the UK. We need to move to a position where providers are alerting customers to the better deals on offer, rather than, for example, allowing customers in fuel poverty to remain on higher charging tariffs, often paying around £220 more a year than necessary*. 

"The crucial point is that smart meters will put an end to estimated bills and meter readings. Customers won't ever have to overpay or find themselves in debt with their energy supplier once smart meters come into force. Not only this, but it will enable consumers to keep a close eye on their energy consumption, allowing them to curb unnecessary usage, use energy at off-peak times, and hopefully make much needed savings.  With this transformation and increased scrutiny on bills, I think it will put a huge onus on the energy giants to offer affordable and competitive deals for customers.

"While we will have to wait until 2012 for the roll out of the British Gas "green" army, and another 10 years or so for smart meters to be widespread, bill payers can help themselves now by making sure they grab the best deals. Moving to an online tariff with paperless billing reaps the biggest savings, and households have the option of giving an accurate meter reading directly to their energy provider. For further savings, paying by monthly direct debit allows consumers to spread the cost of their bills over the year and removes 'guess-timating' their usage."

- Ends -

 

Notes to editors:

* Average standard QCC tariff costs £1237.08 a year, compared to £1018.38 a year for the best online MDD tariff (WebSaver 3 from British Gas) - a saving of £218.62

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