When your smart meter was installed, you should have received a small device called an in-home display (IHD). It sits on your worktop or shelf and shows your energy usage in near-real time. Most people glance at it occasionally and then largely ignore it — which is a shame, because used properly, it’s one of the most practical tools for identifying where your money is going.

The Home Screen: What You’re Looking At

Most in-home displays show a live reading of how much energy you’re currently using, expressed in either kilowatts (kW) or pounds per hour (£/hr). The typical household uses around 0.3–0.5 kW at baseline (fridge, router, standby devices). When you turn the kettle on, that number spikes to around 3 kW. The oven adds another 2–3 kW.

Getting familiar with what your baseline looks like — and how different appliances affect the reading — is the foundation of using your IHD effectively.

Finding Your Baseline Usage

On a quiet morning when no one is cooking or showering, check your live reading. That figure — your baseline — represents the devices running continuously: fridge, freezer, router, standby lights, and anything else left on. For most homes it should be under 0.3 kW. If it’s significantly higher, something is drawing more power than expected — often a chest freezer, aquarium, or an appliance left on unnecessarily.

The Daily and Weekly Views

Most IHDs allow you to view usage by day or week, showing how your consumption varies over time. This is useful for spotting patterns — heavy usage days, the impact of having guests, or the difference between weeks when you work from home versus being in the office.

Some displays also show cost alongside kWh, which many people find more immediately motivating.

Using It to Test Changes

The IHD is most useful as a feedback tool when you’re making changes. Turned the thermostat down by 1°C? Check your daily usage over the next week to see the impact. Switched to a more efficient appliance? Compare your weekly figures before and after. The immediate feedback loop makes energy saving feel tangible rather than theoretical.

If Your IHD Has Stopped Updating

Some IHDs lose their connection after a house move or a supplier switch. If yours is showing a fixed reading or “no signal”, contact your current energy supplier — they can often re-pair it remotely. Alternatively, you can access your smart meter data through your supplier’s app or online account.

The Simplest Habit Change

Put your IHD somewhere you’ll actually see it — on the kitchen counter or near the kettle. A quick glance before bed to check the house is at baseline (everything off and normal) takes five seconds and can catch appliances left on that you’d otherwise miss for hours or days.

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