The government and energy supply industry yesterday began a
John Hutton, the business and enterprise secretary, said: “Changing consumer habits is vital if we are to cut our energy use and reduce the impact of climate change. The results of the trials will provide invaluable evidence to support the future roll-out of displays and smart meters; helping to cut consumer bills and cut our carbon emissions.”

The trials have come under fire from critics who say the government should have introduced smart meters and that display devices could prove a distraction.

Allan Asher, chief executive of the consumer champion Energywatch, said. “It is absurd to install electricity displays – and conventional meters – instead of smart meters when the Government expects them to be replaced within a few years. As it is, Britain is lagging behind other European countries which are already in the process of rolling out smart meters.”

The Liberal Democrats said smart meters could cut average household energy bills by