The Government is to propose free real-time energy monitors for all UK households which request one. The plan is to be put forward in the Government's Energy White Paper, obligating electricity suppliers to provide the monitors for free. A sensor is installed in your electric meter cupboard and wirelessly sends all your power consumption data to a portable display. Energy-conscious customers can track in real-time how different parts of the house or appliances are using electricity, how much it is costing and even simulate how much carbon is being emitted.
Real-time monitors are said to be a stepping-stone towards Smart Meters which automatically send household consumption data straight to the electricity company, a bit Big-Brother if you ask me. Smart meters could move us closer to energy-guzzling households being taxed in a similar way that big cars are being penalized in the latest Brown budget. In the meantime these real-time monitors are a 1984-free solution, but not without giving Dad another thing to moan to the kids about. Have a peek at this fresh-looking monitor offered by More, a company keen to see the scheme become legislation to hike up its business.
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