Plans to get Britain switched on to smart meters have been given the full backing of NAPIT.
The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT), which has over 7,000 members nationwide, is also seeking to lobby the Government to allow its members to take part in the meter implementation programme, which is designed to install 47 million hi-tech meters in the UK's 26 million homes by 2020 -- although the Coalition Government want to bring the completion date forward to 2017.
The Smart Meters scheme, which is being rolled out by energy suppliers to every home in Britain, will signal the end of estimated bills and meter readings, as well as giving customers and energy companies accurate information on the amount of electricity and gas being used.
NAPIT have now engaged top West End PA agency Keene Public Affairs to carry out a Government and Parliamentary engagement programme aimed at involving its members in the scheme, which will allow customers to make choices on how much energy they use, as well as letting companies install a two-way system that will show suppliers and users how much energy is being used.
Other benefits which come with the introduction of smart meters include:
* Microgeneration technology, such as solar panels and wind turbines, which has been championed by NAPIT, will allow energy to be sold back to the supplier.
* Tariffs could be made more flexible, depending on consumption.
* The same meter could be used by all customers, whether they are pre-payment or credit, and regardless of supplier.
* Customers will also be able to check their energy use through alternative methods such as mobiles, the internet or via digital TV.
* Suppliers will also be able to forecast demand at different times of the day.
For more information on NAPIT and its members please visit their website at: www.napit.org.uk/fastSearch.asp