MORE than 7,000 money-saving ‘smart meters’ were installed in East Lancashire up to the end of last year, saving £470,000 in energy bills, it is estimated.

Smart meters are new energy meters which replace existing gas and electricity boxes. They will save billpayers around £65 a year, British Gas claimed.

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones attended an event in Parliament to learn more about the meters. He said: “Smart meters are important because they allow you to monitor use.

“The meter will measure use and spike when you put the kettle on or go down when you turn the TV off, and it will translate into pounds, shillings and pence.

“You can go online and all the information will be available to you and it gives you more information on how to switch suppliers and deals, so it puts you in a far better position. Most people don’t understand their energy consumption and therefore could save money if it’s better understood.

“You can see for yourself how much money you can save by using energy saving items, like bulbs, white goods and TVs.”

June Heys, manager of the Age UK Burnley shop, said the installation was a ‘good starting point’ for battling fuel poverty amongst the elderly.

She said: “It will stop pensioners being frightened by the uncertainty of not knowing what they are using.

“It could take a lot of anxiety away if pensioners can see how much they are spending.”

June, 57, said priority and the right guidance should be given to the elderly, and called for cheaper gas and electricity.

Managing director of smart metering at British Gas, Stuart Rolland said: “British Gas is working hard to make sure people are in control of their energy bills. That’s one of the reasons we chose to get smart meters to our customers earlier than everyone else.

“Many of our customers in the Lancashire area are already seeing the benefit of smart and we look forward to the rest joining them.”

Energy companies are required to deliver smart meters to every home and business in the country by 2020.