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Rics welcomes smart meter move
04/12/09
Edited by Tom Bardsley. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) has backed the Department of Energy and Climate Change's (DECC) commitment to having smart meters installed in every UK home by 2020, saying the move will encourage home owners to improve energy efficiency.
Rics director of external affairs Gillian Charlesworth said homes are a significant source of CO2 and while changing the fabric of buildings can help to cut emissions, behavioural change will also be "vital".
Smart meters will allow residential property owners to see energy use - and cost - in real-time, which will motivate more to install insulation, double glazing and energy efficiency appliances, she added.
However, Ms. Charlesworth said the government must ensure there is enough support in terms of both grants and information on making green home improvements to ensure long-term success.
Under the DECC's plans, energy suppliers will be responsible for installing smart meters.
Announcing the initiative, energy and climate change minister Lord Hunt said the devices would "put the power in people's hands" to control energy use, cut emissions and reduce bills.
