11 May 2009
Plans have been unveiled to provide every home in the UK with a smart meter by 2020.
The move will make Britain the first country in the world to have gone through such an overhaul of both gas and electricity meters.
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said: "The meters most of us have in our homes were designed for a different age, before climate change.
"Now we need to get smarter with our energy."
Mr Milliband believes the meters will enable people to monitor their own energy usage and make reductions on their own bills.
Another way in which people can slash the cost of their bills is by comparing suppliers online with uSwitch.com.
Ofgem recently announced new plans for energy suppliers to follow, including simplified information and easily accessible price score plans.
Furthermore, written quotations must also be given by doorstep salesmen.