Smart meters provide an accurate reading of your gas and electric usage rather than energy suppliers working with estimates. The smart meter will send your meter readings to your supplier automatically and wirelessly at least once a month. 

A smart meter can support you in monitor and reduce your energy consumption.

You will be able to see:

• what energy you are using
• how much it costs
• where you can make savings

You can use this to your advantage and manage your energy consumption by identifying higher energy usage periods & which appliances are currently in use. Smart meters are installed through your energy supplier, they are also available for pre-payment customers. Contact your energy supplier to arrange your installation.

People often forget that our water use at home contributes to our energy bills. There are simple, small changes that you can make to reduce the amount of water and energy you use:

• shortening the length of your shower to 4 minutes could save up to £70 per year
• an energy efficient shower head could reduce the amount of water you use even further
• by simply swapping one bath per week to one 4 minute shower could save £11 per year
• turning off the tap when brushing your teeth or washing your face can save unnecessary amounts of water being used

Water calculator

Use the Severn Trent water calculator to find out where you can make savings to reduce your water bill and help the environment.

By signing up for free and using the calculator, you will be able to claim free water saving devices for your home.

Useful ways to reduce your energy usage include:

• energy smart cooking - simply changing what we cook and how we cook can reduce our energy usage significantly
• use eco mode - many appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers have ‘eco’ or low energy modes, using these modes will save energy
• fill them up - when using appliances such as your dishwasher, washing machine or even your oven, make the most out of the appliance’s energy use by running the machines when they are full
• reduce the temperature of your washing machine - by washing at 30 degrees and reduce use by one a week could save £29 a year
• avoid using the tumble dryer - drying clothes on racks inside or outside in warmer weather could save £60 a year
   

We tend to use a lot of energy in the living room. See a few tips you can do to be more energy efficient:

• turn off your devices - turning devices off at the plug could save up to £65 per year
• install radiator reflectors - radiator reflectors increases the effectiveness of the heating system by directing more heat into the room by reflecting heat back into the room rather than allowing it to escape through the walls behind the radiator
• wrap yourself up - simple but effective, using a throw or blanket is a great way of keeping warm without turning up the heating
• upgrading your TV - try and opt for LED models as they consume much less energy than plasma and LCD models
• change your light bulbs - LED bulbs use 90% less energy than conventional halogen bulbs

We have provided a few tips you can do to be more energy efficient:

• seasonal duvets - duvets that have a higher tog rating for the winter and a lower tog rating in the summer will allow you to rely less on heating in the winter and fans/ air cooling in the summer
• find alternative ways to keep yourself warm - this allows you to rely less on heating in the winter
• close your curtains - closing your curtains as soon as it gets dark will help keep the heat locked inside your room and reduce heat loss by 17% (EDF)
• towel dry your hair - before using an electric hairdryer thoroughly towel dry your hair to reduce energy usage