Smart Meters

If all goes to plan within the Energy Industry then this will be the year that smart meters start to go live, it’s a huge job to undertake and one that will take years to be completed but as each properties meters are converted then the world of meters will become a much simpler one.

There will still be separate meters for gas and electricity but the best advantage for Resident Social Landlords (RSLs) and Councils is expected to be that smart meters will be able to be switched from credit to prepayment...remotely!  This could potentially mean that prepayment meters can be switched to credit for the void period, taking out the time of topping up keys for void works.

Smart meters are operated by technology similar to SIM cards which will transmit data (meter readings) back to the supplier ensuring all bills for credit meters are based on actual reads.

For Prepayment meters the most innovative change will be the ability for the supplier to add or remove credit from meters, saving valuable time topping up keys/cards and meter wipe downs appointments.

If all the hype is true then we can look forward to accurate bills, less meter related issues during the void period and happier tenants.

We’ll keep you posted!

Meter Issues

Just a quick update - There have recently been changes to the way we make meter appointments. Before we can install any new meter we need to know if the meter is inside or outside and wall or ground mounted. Please have this information ready when you call the team.

Green Deal Update

Green Deal, the Governments flagship policy to revolutionise the energy efficiency of British properties due to launch in October 2012. In a nutshell this is how it will work - both home owners and tenants will be able to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes at no upfront cost. The costs will be recouped through a charge (made in instalments) on normal gas and electricity bills. The ‘Golden Rule’ is that the expected financial savings on utility costs (gas/electricity) must be equal to, or greater than, the costs attached to gas/electricity bills. This means utility consumers can see the Green Deal charge alongside reductions in energy use which generate savings on their bill. It also means that when you leave the property, and cease to be the bill-payer at that property, the financial obligation doesn’t move with you but moves to the next bill payer. The charge is only paid while the energy savings are enjoyed - the Green Deal differs from existing lending – it is not a conventional loan.    
                                                                                                                                                                                    
To tap into the Green Deal you will need an Green Deal Report carried out on your home via a ‘Green Deal Advisor’. The Green Deal Report will highlight energy saving recommendations that your Green Deal Advisor will discuss with you. If you decide that the improvements are something you wish to make (e.g. loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, new A rated boiler) your Green Deal Advisor will be able to recommend accredited Green Deal providers and accredited installers. Once the work is completed the repayments will be collected via your normal gas/electricity bills.   
                                                                                                                                                                                     Hopefully this will have given you the outline of the Green Deal, which replaces current insulation grants, later this year. In our April blog we’ll give you an update on how the changes are progressing and how it may affect your choices...in the meantime we'd like to know what you think about it and if you would like to know more, contact Mark Randall on 01733 866446 or mark.randall@pcl-ltd.co.uk

Welcome to our new blog, we've made the change from quarterly newsletters to blogging so we can keep you up to date as and when we have news!


We've also joined the world of twitter so if you don't read it here first then we'll let you know we've updated the blog via twitter!


Please feel free to follow us, we'd love to know what your up to too!


You can find us @PECTConsultancy


The PCL Team