I think the only people who are interested in them are those with money worries. To a lot of us it's unneccessary IOT tat and just another surveillance device to be honest.
Another electricity billing method in the UK that may or may not be a novelty to Americans are pay-as-you-go meters, typically fitted in houses that have had problems paying their bills on a monthly basis.
The meter has a card reader built in and you buy the top ups from shops (anywhere I think - newsagents, gas stations). When you put the card in it, it tops up the balance, and when it hits 0 it cuts you off. This happens at random times if you forget to do it, you can just get plunged into darkness whenever. It's pretty dickensian shit and you don't hear as much about them these days, but I think lots of houses still have them fitted.
Another electricity billing method in the UK that may or may not be a novelty to Americans are pay-as-you-go meters, typically fitted in houses that have had problems paying their bills on a monthly basis.
The meter has a card reader built in and you buy the top ups from shops (anywhere I think - newsagents, gas stations). When you put the card in it, it tops up the balance, and when it hits 0 it cuts you off. This happens at random times if you forget to do it, you can just get plunged into darkness whenever. It's pretty dickensian shit and you don't hear as much about them these days, but I think lots of houses still have them fitted.