Smart pricing, smart appliances needed alongside smart meters

Smart meters will help householders reduce energy use and save on energy bills, provided they are matched with smart pricing and smart appliances, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority's chief executive Mike Underhill said today.

Commenting on a report on smart meters released today by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Underhill said EECA welcomed the use of smart meters, and the discussion on the requirements for the technology to reach its full potential.

"For smart meters to contribute meaningfully to energy efficiency in the household, they need to be coupled with smart appliances, and electricity companies need to offer smart pricing so that this triangle can come together," Mr Underhill said.

"Once that happens, smart meters will make it easier for consumers to use their appliances to become energy efficient, to improve our overall security of supply, and get more out of the energy we use."