New meter cuts 15% off bills
AN INNOVATIVE service to show Huntingdonshire homeowners how much energy they are wasting has been welcomed by insulation and heating company Kershaw Contracting Services. Managing director Ian Macklin aims to be one of the first to sign up to the recentl
AN INNOVATIVE service to show Huntingdonshire homeowners how much energy they are wasting has been welcomed by insulation and heating company Kershaw Contracting Services.
Managing director Ian Macklin aims to be one of the first to sign up to the recently-launched Google PowerMeter, which uses information from people's electricity meters to suggest ways in which households can save money.
Mr Macklin said: "One of the easiest ways to save energy in your home is to know how much is being wasted. This Google scheme gives you that information.
"One person in the trials discovered that they were running an immersion heater they never used, and just switching that off saved �400 a year.
"That means an extra �400 in their pocket - but just as importantly �400 less electricity that has to be generated for no reason. I think the real beauty of this is that it makes people aware just how much energy they are consuming.
"I've heard stories that, once people are aware, they become fanatical about switching things off and monitoring their energy usage throughout the day.
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"The Energy Saving Trust believes energy monitoring makes people cut their bills by up to 15 per cent, potentially saving the average UK household �75 a year. This is also great news for the environment."
INFORMATION: Google PowerMeter is a free service, but to use it homeowners must first switch to an energy supplier called first:utility or buy an AlertMe Energy device. The device works using a broadband hub and a clip for the electricity meter, and costs �69 with a �3 monthly subscription fee.
