Free electricity meter to educate UK residents

By this May, the UK government wants to provide free clip-on electricity meter devices designed to show residents exactly how much they're spending on electricity, with the goal of encouraging them to reduce their consumption when they're made aware of the cost of the electricity they use. Of course, the government doesn't want to foot the bill for the project themselves, they'd like to see the energy companies pick up the tab. The energy companies, however, say the program is a stopgap on the way to more sophisticated "smart meters." Call us old-fashioned, but we prefer to break out the calculator and figure out the energy usage of our electronics manually, just like our great-great-grandfathers did.

[hongkongtechkid @ Jan 6th 2008 4:07AM]

sounds like a groundbreaking policy to me! people can actively see how much they are using, and reduce their consumption before they see their bills.

[Kuwaiti @ Jan 6th 2008 4:41AM]

Is it gonna be anything like what Kuwait did? They showed meters on large screens, national TVs and every where indicating percentage of total power consumption there. I thought it was ridiculous to tell the world we are running out of power... SEE! This ofcourse keeping in mind how rich the country is with the oil they have.

[Phil Perman @ Jan 6th 2008 4:47AM]

Oh please don't make the energy companies pay for this! We're already expecting 12-20% rises in energy bills this year, don't want to encourage them to up it even more

[ScooterDe @ Jan 6th 2008 5:26AM]

energy companies will be introducing smart meters, but mostly for their benefit so they can easily gather accurate billing information.
TV shows have been using these devices to great effect. This initiative will hopefully force power providers to give customers relevant, timely information. Power pricing is getting like mobile phone plans: totally befuddling for most people and needing a spreadsheet to truly understand and compare.
Hopefully a decent monitor, with accurate inputs from the power company (as opposed to an aftermarket solution with consumer input needed) will let people see on the fly what they are using at any time of day. More power to the people!

[TheBigApple @ Jan 6th 2008 5:51AM]

If the government is so concerned about wasting energy then FFS why don't they bring in a policy banning shops from leaving their signs illuminated 24/7!

[Mark G @ Jan 6th 2008 7:30AM]

We were involved in a pilot about a year ago where we were given a meter for free. I have an background in electronics, so I knew roughly what to expect. My wife and son were astounded at the difference switching unused lights off made, and when 'everything' was switched off, the actual cost per hour of items in standby. Our bills dropped significantly afterwards because we changed our living habits slightly pretty much overnight.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Jan 6th 2008 7:42AM]

Call me even more old fashioned, but I like to break out the slide rule like my grandfather did before he had a calculator.

[Laurie @ Jan 6th 2008 2:07PM]

Nice article Engadget, but is there a reference for this? Where is the government making this announcement?

I've had a clip-around meter for nearly a year. It's not utility-company accurate, but it does show you what in your home uses power. We certainly turn things off more than we used to. It's a good plan, for homes which will look at it and think about it. For everyone? Perhaps a waste of money.

[Randavance @ Jan 6th 2008 4:25PM]

Why exactly is the government asking for funding for products that will reduce energy spending from the people who profit from energy spending?

[john bannon @ Mar 12th 2008 4:54PM]

I dl not need the govt. to supply me with a free meter, I just need too know where I can buy one. WHY? I have 4
generations of females, wife, daughter, frand daighter and great grand daughter wno are mising the gene,common to many women!, that tells them to SWITCH OFF lights when they leave a room. Amd then moan about the size of the elec. bill@@