If checking the figures on the bills from their gas and electricity providers isn't enough of an incentive for people to economise, what difference would an extra meter make?

Barry, Wallington,

What is the point of these meters? If I care to spend half my life in the cellar I can calculate my usage from my existing meter, by turning things off in turn (which seems to be what you will need to do with this meter too) without spending a fortune on a new one. And this on top of having to spend good money on an energy performance certificate for the house (the EU directive requires these for all houses, not just at the point of sale, and to be repeated every so many years too - costing more than you can possibly save).

But I have not found that the so called low energy bulbs make any difference. The average use over the last year (no change in appliances) after I installed them is virtually the same as the year before.

alexandria, Sheffield, UK

I assume that these smart meters will display the current RATE of consumption ie how many KWatt are being consumed at any moment. The TOTAL consumption ie KW hours, between quarterly meter readings will, as on the old type meters be what you pay in your bill. There is only one source of information about your total consumption - the reading on the meter (both old and new type). Either you or the meter reader can note the figures.

Incidentally a far cheaper device for measuring both rates of consumption and total consumption over time which plugs into a wall socket can be bought for around £20 from electrical stores and departments. It can be used on any electrical equipment with a 13 amp plug on it. For example to check the consumption of a TV on standby.

Bob T, London, UK

Smart meters are useless if they don't show you where energy is actually being wasted.

My advice is to switch off the following when not in use, no standby:
Digital TV boxes
VCRs
DVDs
Hard disk recorders
Sky boxes

Change all lights to low energy lights. You can blag enough of these for free from electricity companies. The 100 Watt equivalent bulbs work on between 12 and 20 Watts actual.

Buy a new energy efficient electric oven or hob. This can be picked up very cheaply. But buy the efficient one. A lot of companies are pushing inefficient stock which is often more expensive!

Watch your electricity bills fall 60%! Marvellous. Gas next. Much easier. However, dont be fooled into un-necessarily changing your boiler. There are better ways to keep warm and get hot water!

Michael, London, UK

The need for "smart meters" and the corresponding new opportunities for energy efficiency measures is clear and present throught this white paper. I would prefer that they had been mandated but I can see the logic in simply telling the energy industry that we expect them to complete full smart metering roll-out within 10 years.

I have two questions about these "free" displays that I hope someone might answer, I'm afraid they're both a little technical.

Who is going to pay for and be responsible for the "free" display devices that we consumers can demand?

What will happen if my display says I have used £100 worth of energy and my uninterested call centre worker's screen says I
owe £200?

Will I be able to insist that my information is definitive?

Gerry, Birmingham , UK