PROPERTY duo Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer are encouraging householders across the country to get a smart meter.

The TV house-hunting experts say having a smart meter installed is one of the easiest ways to save money and energy.

More than 11 million have already been fitted at homes and small businesses. Kirstie and Phil have been visited 10 cities this summer as part of the Smart Energy GB Campaign for a Smarter Britain.

Smart meters come with an in-home display screen that shows exactly how much energy you're using in £s and pence.

They are designed to make it simple to monitor energy use and to help people save money through steps such as switching off more lights or turning down the heating a little.

They also bring an end to estimated bills by sending readings to your supplier automatically.

"How can you know you're wasting energy if you can't see it?" said Kirstie. "I believe if we all get smart meters, it will help make our country greener."

Smart Energy GB says the new-generation meters could help households save enough energy each year to power their home for a week.

The government requires energy suppliers to offer smart meters to all homes and small businesses across Great Britain by 2020 To have one fitted for free, contact your supplier.

For more, see www.smartenergygb.org/en