Energy News -

Energy Smart meters action plan revealed

According to a recent survey two-thirds of gas and electricity customers have no idea how much they are paying per unit of energy or how their bill is calculated and this includes many businesses. The way suppliers have over complicated their bills has stopped millions of people from switching supplier. The new government has reiterated its commitment to force the energy companies to be more transparent with its bills. Ofgem is also bringing pressure on the energy firms to speed up the introduction of Smart Meters.

This where the confusion starts as the energy suppliers have started to give away free energy monitors, this not to be confused with energy smart meters that actually replace the existing meter. Is this just another way to bamboozle customers? Whilst energy monitors are extremely useful they won’t eliminate the dreaded estimated bill.

In October 2008 the Government announced its intention to mandate a roll out of electricity and gas smart meters to all homes in Great Britain, with the aim of completing the roll out by the end 2020. The aim - to encourage more economical use of power every home and business will have a new high-tech meter installed that will measure just how much energy is used. With the new Smart Meter customers will be able to see how energy savings can be made by turning off appliances and changing usage patterns. Smart Meters allow customers to regulate demand, as readings can be taken every half hour. The new smart meters will automatically send readings and will end the need of meter reading, estimated bills, and errors relating to under and over payments.

No longer will the power companies be able to hold onto credited overpayments.

Smart Metering Service - How it works
	1. Every day your meter sends an accurate reading via a communication link. 2. The data is converted into usage information - Units of energy and price, and CO2    emissions. 3. This information is made available to you online. 4. You can then view your bill and usage information online.

The conversions started this year, 2010, and it is expected that the roll out will take ten years. Utility suppliers have already started to roll out smart meters into a few homes in selected areas. But it’s the larger companies that have enjoyed this flexibility and cost savings to date. Under this government backed programme it will be the larger companies to be rolled out first.

However there is some good news in that Small and Medium Enterprises, SME’s, this includes shops & offices, can change now without having to wait for the roll out.

 

Utility Cost Reductions – UCR Energy, a new North Devon based company, have recently been in talks with FirstUtility, a British owned utility supply company, and can now offer the new smart meters in conjunction with a new competitively  priced electricity supply contract.

Advantages of Smart Metering

       Smart Metering can help you change your usage patterns, saving money, energy

and therefore helping reduce carbon emissions.

To promote this new campaign UCR Energy is offering a free! Business energy cost reduction and energy procurement service for any businesses in Devon and North Cornwall.

Today, industry is under increasing pressure, with the recession, to cut costs, boost investment returns, maximise output. The one area where savings can be made is the company’s fixed costs such as heating, lighting, gas and electricity.

We will visit your premises to appraise your utility bills, and to investigate opportunities where savings can be made. The site inspection would identify where savings can be made due to wrong tariffs, meters, and working patterns, before even looking at the unit cost on the bills. We will accurately assess the specific needs of your business.

Our Business Cost Reduction Survey is free of charge, all we ask is if we identify that savings can be made with your utility bills, you give us the authority to negotiate on your behalf.  However you will be under no obligation whatsoever. We are affiliate agents for a number of companies and will be paid by them for introducing your business . For other cost reduction services we would normally ask for a small percentage of the actual savings made to cover our consultancy costs.

Examples where savings have been identified.

Businesses that use high levels of energy 24hrs a day. Restaurants, shops/supermarkets with fridges and chillier units. Seasonal changes in usage of utilities. Heating and/or air conditioning. High consumption of energy at peak times.

Incorrect charges for waste water discharge. Incorrect UBR – Business rates. Material Change in Circumstance. 

The list is endless.

Please invite us to visit you; we may be able to identify cost savings before the renewal date of your Business Electricity contracts.

For more information or advice please contact UCR 0781 4668856

  e-mail save@ucrenergy.co.uk or visit the website www.UtilityCostReductions.co.uk.