UK consumers concerned with data privacy if they get a smart meter

British consumers primary concern with Smart Meters is around data privacy, according to a new survey of 2000 respondents by Go.Compare.

Non-smart meter users were asked by they were reluctant to have a smart meter fitted and just over 15% expressed concerns related to data privacy.

57% of household customers have now been moved onto a smart meter by their energy supplier with the rest still to make a decision.

Amongst those who have not moved to a smart meter yet, 16% are anxious that it would leads to higher charges rather than delivering savings – a perception shared by nearly 18% of current smart meter users.

Of the 43% yet to adopt a smart meter, 25% of these blamed not having a smart meter on them being in rented accommodation and not having any direct control on fitting the new device.

A small percentage (5%) cited unfamiliarity with the process of obtaining one, while 3% expressed concerns about the potential complexity and difficulty in using smart meters.

What Smart meters will really help with going forward is the clever use of energy and help a household and business customer better understand where savings can be made through close monitoring of consumption patterns.

We reported yesterday how long stay car parks, like airports, will allow the UK to tap into the EV’s stored capacity through “Park and Flex” schemes, where a large number of dormant electric vehicles would be used as the building blocks for one of the UK’s biggest flex batteries. This dynamic battery, fueled by thousands upon thousands of EVs could play a massive role in creating a new green energy supply without customers having to lift a finger.

The UK is going to have to get smarter with the way it uses and stores electricity. It will take time but with advances in technology and more confidence, the adoption of smart meters will be a key ingredient to us achieving these aims.