Scots 'in dark over energy rates'

The poll suggested 86% of Scots are not aware of their energy tariff

Eight out of 10 Scots do not know what they are paying for their gas and electricity, according to new research.

The study was carried out by the Energy Saving Trust, which has called for more investment in so-called smart meters to cut bills and fight climate change.

Smart meters, which monitor how much each household appliance costs to run, could save Scots £110m a year.

Almost half of Scots who responded to the survey said they would be interested in having the device fitted.

More than 1,200 people were questioned across the UK in January for the research.

The Scottish respondents found energy bills twice as difficult to understand as phone bills and four times more confusing than bank statements or credit card bills.

Most people would never go on a mobile phone tariff if they didn't know how much it would cost Mike Thornton Energy Saving Trust

The trust has set out the case for smart meters to help people save money and to reduce the damaging effects of energy use on the environment.

It said their introduction would reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Scotland by 690,000 tonnes, based on estimated energy savings of 5%.

Smart meters have been trialled in Sweden and America but are not yet widely available in the UK.

The trust said they would cost householders £100 to £200 if they were mass produced.

Mike Thornton, the trust's Scottish director, said the lack of transparency over energy usage was one of the biggest problems in the UK's fight against climate change.

'Hard to believe'

"Without the uptake of smart metering, this situation is not going to change any time soon," he said.

"The current situation is hard to believe, especially with the recent rise in household fuel bills.

"Most people would never go on a mobile phone tariff if they didn't know how much it would cost."

Energy policy is a reserved issue, legislated over by politicians at Westminster.

Window of opportunity

But Mr Thornton urged the Scottish Government to try to influence UK ministers so that the meters could be rolled out in Scotland.

He said: "If the UK really has aspirations to be a world leader in the fight against climate change, then smart meters have to be part of the solution."

Duncan Sedgwick, chief executive of the Energy Retail Association, agreed that the smart meters could help customers do their bit for the environment.

"The window of opportunity for smart meters is wide open," he added.

"We urge the government to give us the mandate to make smart meters happen for customers."