Smart meters can help you save an average of 3.4% on your electricity bills! These digital devices are changing how families track and manage their energy use—and the results speak for themselves.
Here's what's happening: Over 32.4 million smart meters are already installed across Great Britain (that's 57% of all meters), and the United States expects to reach 153.8 million installations by 2025. Your smart meter records and sends usage data every 15 minutes to an hour, giving you real-time insights that old-style meters never could.
But smart meters do more than just track—they help you spot high-usage periods so you can adjust when you use energy. During peak hours, small changes in your routine can lead to meaningful savings.
The bigger picture? The United States energy sector cut carbon emissions by 40% between 2005 and 2020, with smart metering playing a key role. When you connect your smart meter with other home devices, you can automate energy savings and make smarter choices about your electricity use.
Ready to take control of your energy bills? This guide shows you simple ways to track your usage and turn smart habits into real savings.
Think of a smart electricity meter as your home's energy detective. Unlike traditional meters that need someone to come read them manually, smart meters automatically measure your electricity use and send that information directly to your energy supplier.
Smart meters have two main parts working together: the meter itself and an in-home display unit. The meter connects to a secure network and wirelessly sends your usage data to your energy provider at least once a month [1]. The in-home display shows you exactly how much electricity you're using and what it costs, with updates available in near real-time [1].
How does it actually work? Smart meters use sensors to detect voltage and current flowing through your electrical circuits. The meter multiplies these values to calculate power consumption in watts, then tracks this over time to determine your total electricity use in kilowatt-hours [2].
Here's what makes smart meters special: they can communicate both ways. They don't just send information to utility companies—they can also receive information and commands [3]. This happens through:
• Radio frequency signals
• Cellular networks
• Power line communication
• Broadband connections
Your data stays secure through encrypted networks with multiple layers of protection [4]. While the information passes through various systems, only you and your energy supplier can access your consumption details [5].
Smart meters also end estimated bills for good. You pay only for the energy you actually use [1]. When you can see your consumption patterns in real-time, studies show you can reduce energy usage by 3-5% [3].
Smart meters now represent about 69% of all electric meter installations in the United States [6], and more families are discovering their benefits every day. With detailed, timely information about your electricity usage, you can make smarter choices about when and how you use energy.
Track Your Energy Use Like a Pro
Your smart meter gives you multiple ways to monitor electricity use—and knowing your patterns is the first step to saving money.
Start with Your In-Home Display
The in-home display (IHD) acts as your energy dashboard, showing exactly how much electricity you're using in real-time—both in dollars and kilowatt-hours [7]. Keep your IHD somewhere you'll see it regularly, like the kitchen or living room, so you can stay aware of your consumption [8].
Go Digital with Online Dashboards
Most utility companies offer online platforms where you can dive deeper into your usage history. These dashboards typically break down your electricity consumption by the hour, with some providing 15-minute intervals for detailed tracking [9]. The payoff? Homeowners who get real-time feedback reduce their electricity use by 3-5% [3].
Get Smart with Mobile Apps
Mobile applications take tracking further by sending you alerts when:
• Your usage crosses preset limits • Peak hours are approaching (when electricity costs more) • Your consumption patterns shift unexpectedly
Compare and Learn
Smart meters let you compare today's usage against previous days, weeks, or the same period last year [10]. This comparison helps you spot seasonal patterns and see which energy-saving changes actually work.
Some advanced systems offer "Stream My Data" features, tracking your electricity use every 5-15 seconds [10]. This detailed view helps identify your biggest energy users—simply turn appliances on and off to watch the immediate impact [11].
Solar Panel Owners: Double the Value
If you have solar panels, smart meter tracking becomes even more valuable. These systems monitor both the energy you pull from the grid and any excess energy you send back [12]. You'll see not just how much energy you use, but exactly when and how you use it.
Now that you can track your usage, it's time to put that data to work! Smart meter households typically save 3.4% on electricity and 3.0% on gas [13], and here's how you can join them.
Shift Usage to Off-Peak Hours
Electricity costs change throughout the day—rates drop during low-demand periods like late nights and early mornings [14]. Run your dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer during these cheaper hours and watch your bills shrink. Many utility companies offer time-of-use plans that make this strategy even more rewarding [15].
Pro tip: Precool your home during lower-priced periods, then raise the thermostat during peak times [16]. Your smart thermostat can handle this automatically, keeping you comfortable while cutting costs.
Beat the "Vampire Energy" Drain
Did you know inactive devices still draw power? This "phantom energy" accounts for 5-10% of your home's energy use [17]. Simply unplugging electronics when not in use—or using smart plugs to control them remotely—eliminates this hidden waste.
Upgrade Smart, Save Big
Old appliances are energy hogs. Refrigerators over 10 years old use 66% more energy than newer models [18]. An ENERGY STAR refrigerator uses just 300-500 kWh annually, while pre-1993 models consume a whopping 1,539 kWh per year [19].
And here's a cooling trick: ceiling fans let you raise your thermostat by 4 degrees in summer without losing comfort, according to the US Department of Energy [17].
Let Technology Work for You
Smart home automation takes the guesswork out of saving:
The key? Check your smart meter data regularly. This creates a feedback loop that shows you exactly which changes deliver the biggest savings for your household [20].
Smart meters put the power to control your electricity bills directly in your hands—and Meltek helps you turn that control into real cash rewards.
By pairing your smart meter with Meltek’s free Demand Response program, you can earn instant payouts just by reducing energy usage during peak hours. We send you alerts before events, track your savings, and pay you for every kilowatt-hour you help shift. It’s automated, effortless, and built around your daily routine.
✅ Track Your Usage with your smart meter
💰 Earn Rewards by using less when demand is high
🌱 Support a Greener Grid by helping reduce strain during peak times
The best part? You don’t need to install new hardware. If you already have a smart meter, you’re likely eligible to start earning with Meltek right away.
This isn’t just about monitoring—it’s about getting paid to be smarter with your energy. Visit meltek.com to sign up and see how easy it is to get started.
Small shifts = real savings. Let Meltek and your smart meter work together to lower your bills, reward your efforts, and power a more sustainable future.
[1] - https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/guide-to-smart-meters/
[2] - https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/smart-meter
[3] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_meter
[4] - https://www.smartdcc.co.uk/our-smart-network/how-do-smart-meters-send-readings/
[5] - https://www.valdaenergy.com/blogs/how-smart-meters-send-data-to-energy-suppliers
[6] - https://www.nationalgridus.com/MA-Home/Smart-Meters/
[7] - https://www.smartenergygb.org/about-smart-meters/about-the-in-home-display
[8] - https://www.edfenergy.com/smart-meters/using-a-smart-meter
[9] - https://www.aepohio.com/community/projects/smart-grid/smart-meters
[10] - https://www.pge.com/en/save-energy-and-money/energy-saving-programs/smartmeter.html
[11] - https://octopus.energy/blog/smart-meter-screen-user-guide/
[12] - https://www.reliant.com/en/blog/home-automation-and-smart-energy/understanding-smart-electric-meters
[13] - https://www.bi.team/blogs/do-smart-meters-reduce-households-energy-consumption/
[14] - https://www.poweroverenergy.org/blog/off-peakhours
[15] - https://www.dominionenergy.com/virginia/rates-and-tariffs/off-peak-plan
[16] - https://www.pge.com/en/account/rate-plans/find-your-best-rate-plan/time-of-use-rate-plans.html
[17] - https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/smart-home-devices-save-money-energy/
[18] - https://www.katoelectrical.com/blog-1/replace-your-old-appliances-to-save-energy-bills
[19] - https://www.greenamerica.org/green-living/energy-efficient-appliances
[20] - https://clouglobal.com/energy-saving-with-smart-meters-how-technology-can-help-you-save-money-and-the-environment/
