How Metis’s Energy Saver App helped me take control of my energy use at home – Steve Holford, Oxfordshire Resident

Summary

Steve Holford took part in the Metis by SMS Oxfordshire trial as a local resident. Through the programme, households are supported to better understand how their homes use energy and to access solar and battery technology without the upfront costs that often prevent people from taking part. After joining as a customer, Steve began by downloading the Energy Saver App to see how his home was using energy, before going on to have solar panels and a battery installed through the trial. Alongside his professional role in the energy sector at SSE Energy Solutions, this gave him a unique perspective on how clearer information, accessible delivery, and smart technology can help households move from passive energy consumption to active energy control.

From energy bills to energy awareness

My name is Steve Holford. I work in products and marketing at SSE Energy Solutions, but I joined the Metis trial in Oxfordshire as a local resident. Until recently, my relationship with energy at home was fairly typical. I paid my bills, shopped around for cheaper tariffs, and didn’t think about it much beyond that.

Like many people, I’d looked at getting solar panels installed on my house before. I understood it made financial sense in the long term, but the upfront cost and long payback period were hard to justify. After all, the question was always whether I’d still be in the same home ten years down the line to really benefit from it. That uncertainty alone was enough to put me off.

The Oxfordshire trial changed that. As an Oxfordshire resident, I put my name forward to take part and joined the trial as a customer. I downloaded the Energy Saver App, which gives a clear picture of how and when your home uses energy, and started seeing my own usage laid out clearly. From there, I realised that my home was eligible to take part in the trial’s funded solar and battery installation.

The Metis model removed the biggest barrier I’d faced before and made installation feel accessible. It allowed me to explore flexible energy in a real, practical way – not as a theoretical concept, but as something I could live with day to day. Here’s how it worked for us, and why I think this model makes sense for other households too.

A simple, well-run installation experience

From a customer perspective, the Metis solar and battery installation process itself was straightforward. Communication from the Metis team was clear and proactive, which made a real difference for someone going through solar installation for the first time.

The installation was efficient, with separate solar and battery crews working together at the same time. It was genuinely impressive to see how well coordinated it all was. The only real inconvenience was the scaffolding – a familiar and minor issue with any home improvement work. Overall, it felt like a slick, well-organised operation.

Understanding my energy use changed my behaviour

What surprised me most was how quickly the Energy Save App changed how we used energy at home. The app made our energy use visible and understandable. Instead of abstract numbers on a bill, we could easily see patterns, peaks, and, most importantly, opportunities.

The first changes were simple and easily actioned. We started running appliances like the dishwasher and washing machine during the day when solar generation was high, or later when the battery could be used instead of drawing from the grid at peak times. These weren’t huge sacrifices or lifestyle changes – just small, logical shifts that made sense once the data was clear.

Over time, that understanding went further. I moved away from a flat-rate tariff and switched to a more dynamic option that reflects wholesale prices. With the battery optimised to cover expensive peak periods, buying energy from the grid became cheaper overall, even during winter when solar generation is lower. Energy consumption stopped being something that just happened in the background and became something we could actively control.

Education matters more to Net Zero than people realise

If there’s one lesson I’d take from this experience for wider rollout across the UK, it’s that education matters to the country’s Net Zero transition as much as technology. Cost is important, but understanding is what really unlocks change. Most people don’t know how energy is generated, priced, or distributed – not through lack of interest, but because they’ve never needed to.

The Metis trial showed me that when people are given the right tools and clear information, they’re willing to engage. I wasn’t surprised to see that they recently won an award for Net Zero Engagement. When saving money goes hand in hand with using energy more efficiently, the incentive becomes obvious. The challenge isn’t persuading people to care – it’s helping them understand enough to act with confidence.

Taking control, one household at a time

For me, the biggest outcome of the Metis trial wasn’t just solar panels or a battery. It was a shift in mindset. Energy stopped being a background cost and became something we could shape around our lives, our home, and our priorities.

That’s why the Metis model feels scalable. It doesn’t rely on people becoming energy experts or making dramatic lifestyle changes. It simply gives households the confidence and capability to take control of their own energy use. From my experience at home in Oxfordshire, that’s where real progress starts.