Meter readings set to be a thing of the past,
This is Letting

Spark Energy, the specialist gas and electricity supplier to the lettings industry, is preparing to take part in a nationwide trial of state-of-the-art smart meters, as part of an initiative to encourage greater energy efficiency.

The new metering technology is widely expected to be the 'next big thing' in the energy industry. Smart Meters communicate directly between the supplier and the consumer, allowing consumers to see how much energy they are using and how much it costs when individual appliances are turned on.

Spark Energy, who currently provide a unique, tailored solution to the industry wide problem of managing tenant utilities, see smart metering as a vital step in the bid to reduce administration on behalf of their letting agent clients.

Sales Director Chris Gauld commented "Smart Meters are the next generation of electricity and gas meters which will bring about the end of estimated bills and the need for meter readings. Assuming the localized trial goes well, we will look to offer these to our letting agent partners. We see it as a perfect fit with the Spark ethos and complements the partner managers, free energy during voids and agent commissions, which our partners already benefit from. We always aim to be at the forefront of anything which allows letting agents to concentrate on what they do best."

The government has proposed that the smart metering technology will be provided with any new meters fitted from 2008 and to all households that request them between 2008-2010. A reduction in admin, an end to meter readings and an opportunity to improve the appeal of rental properties is being welcomed by the letting community.