12 November 2007
Britons might soon be powering-up their dishwashers at midnight due to new government energy-saving plans.
According to the Times, the night-time wash might soon become a fixture amongst cash-conscious householders, due to the efficiency-boosting smart meters due to be installed in homes over the next few.
The meters show consumers which domestic devices are using energy at any one time, in a bid to improve energy efficiency.
Another benefit of the meters might be the introduction of so-called 'off-peak' offers from energy providers - which would charge customers less for using their appliances at traditionally quiet times such as the middle of the night.
The report adds that the 'off-peak' plans have already received the heavyweight backing of the Chief Operating Officer of British Gas, the UK's largest energy provider.
Research from the firm has shown that the new schemes could cut up to 2% of the UK's 70GW annual energy demand.
Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Secretary John Hutton is himself a strong supporter of the meters' introduction.
"The energy-efficiency benefit that meters will bring is really necessary if we are to meet our climate change targets," he said.
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