Government proposals are currently being discussed which, if successful, could see every home in the UK being fitted with a smart meter.
It is hoped the roll-out of the technology will be completed by 2020.
And as well as leading to
cheaper gas and electric bills, one sector commentator has claimed the devices may also help with energy efficiency.
Will Marples, energy expert at uSwitch.com, said smart meters were still a relatively new technology but that they were becoming more popular.
He added that the appliances allowed homeowners to more effectively monitor how much energy they used, by showing their consumption in real-time, which could help consumers achieve cheaper gas and electricity bills.
"As well as managing your consumption more effectively smart meters also allow you to be that bit more energy efficient," he noted.
Such comments may prove useful to homeowners hoping to lower their utility spending amid the credit crunch by going green.
