Where do I start with smart energy options?

1. Understand and monitor home energy use
2. Smart meters
3. Understand energy tariffs
4. Flexibility services
5. Renewables and battery storage

Improve your home’s energy efficiency and change energy behaviours

Start by making your home as energy efficient as possible. This can include:

• Simple behaviour changes
• Low-cost improvements
• Larger energy saving home upgrades (grants may be available)

Read CSE's advice on grants and funding.

1. Understand and monitor your home energy use

Understand how much energy you’re using and what appliances use the most energy.

• Review your bills.
• Identify energy-hungry appliances.
• Consider using energy monitoring tools to understand even more.

Read CSE's advice on energy monitors.

2. Smart meters: your energy insight tool

Smart meters give you:

• Real-time energy use information
• Accurate bills
• Access to time of use tariffs and flexibility services

Read CSE's advice on smart meters.

3. Understand energy tariffs: find the right tariff for you

Always make sure you're on the best tariff option.

• Compare options regularly.
• You will need to be on a suitable time of use tariff to get the most benefit from some renewables.

Read our advice on tariffs.

4. Flexibility services: energy use that pays off

Flexibility means adjusting when you use electricity to:

• Save money
• Support the energy system
• Potentially earn rewards

An example of flexibility is shifting your electricity use out of peak time (4-8pm) to make savings on your fuel bill. Time of use tariffs and flexibility are not the same thing.

Read our advice on flexibility services.

5. Renewables and battery storage

Go greener and increase energy resilience for your home by generating and storing heat and electricity from renewable sources. Export and import electricity to and from the grid.

Read our advice on renewables.