British Gas research claims smart meters could save pubs £230 per year on energy bills

The report, which analyses the costs and benefits of smart meters from 2012 to 2030, finds that the rollout of smart meters to businesses could save £3.5 billion in the UK.

According to the findings of the report, the typical small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) will save a minimum of 4.7% on their electricity bills and 4.3% on their gas bills – the equivalent of a £230 annual saving - by installing a smart meter.

Savings will rise to at least 7.5% for those businesses receiving additional energy saving advice from their supplier informed by smart meter data, equating to £390 per year, according to a report by the Carbon Trust.

This advice could include changing lighting or upgrading old energy intensive appliances such as fridges, air conditioners and ovens.

Angela Needle, head of energy consultancy at British Gas Business, said: “Smart meters will fundamentally change the way businesses manage their energy. They will put businesses in control of their energy costs and help them identify steps they can take to reduce their energy bills at a time when controlling costs is a priority for many small businesses.”

The Government announced earlier this year that between 2014 and 2019 more than 50 million new ‘smart meters’ will be rolled out to 30 million homes and smaller businesses in Britain19.