When we talk about smart meters, the conversation too often stops at the technology: rollout volumes, consumption data, leak detection. But it’s a narrative that misses the mark. The real power of smart meters isn’t in the data. The real breakthrough comes when that data is used to change people’s consumption behaviours.
Water companies across the UK are investing heavily in digital infrastructure. Ofwat’s PR24 final determination earmarked £1.7 billion for the installation of nearly 10 million smart meters over the next five years. It’s a significant step, but it won’t deliver full value unless utilities move beyond data collection to customer activation.
More than measurement: The behaviour gap
Smart meters tell us how much water is used. But they don’t, on their own, help customers use less.
That’s where behaviour science comes in. We believe that the missing link between smart infrastructure and real-world water savings lies in how customers think, feel and act.
At Advizzo, we don’t just crunch smart meter data. We turn it into personalised insight – nudges, comparisons, tailored advice and incentives – that actually change people’s behaviour. That’s how we achieve the leap from passive measurement to active demand reduction.
Why now?
There’s growing pressure on utilities to prove the value of their digital investments.
Ofwat isn’t just tracking installations, it’s monitoring impact. Measurable progress is now a regulatory requirement.
The Water Europe 2024 Policy Report calls for digital tools that support “real-time monitoring, predictive analytics and smart infrastructure management” to promote sustainable water use.
Customers are also demanding more. In a world of climate targets and cost-of-living pressures, people want help, not just data.
That’s why our SaaS platform is built not for data engineers, but for behavioural change at scale.
Advizzo in action
We help water companies move from insight to action by creating customer journeys that are:
- Personalised – no generic advice, just data-driven, household-specific recommendations.
- Proven – designed using tested behavioural science frameworks.
- Scalable – built to deliver savings across entire regions, not just pilot groups.
With Advizzo, utilities can:
- Identify and reduce water waste through customer engagement
- Detect and resolve leaks faster, with less customer disruption
- Improve satisfaction and build trust through transparency and support
From billing utility to behavioural partner
By shifting the focus from data collection to behaviour change, utilities that work with us become more than service providers. They become trusted partners in sustainable living – rewarding customers for responsible usage, not just billing them for consumption.
This is where real value lies. Not in what a meter records, but in how a customer responds.
Want to get more from your smart meter investment? Let’s unlock the behavioural potential together.