New technology designed to encourage energy saving in the home is being trialled by British Gas New Energy.

The utility provider is collaborating with AlertMe.com on an intelligent monitoring system that measures and manages the amount of energy used by households.

Homeowners will be able to use the internet-based technology to see which appliances are the biggest contributors to their electricity and heating bills.

Users can also adjust their heating controls and appliances remotely, or set the system to automatically optimise energy consumption in their home.

Gearoid Lane, managing director of British Gas New Energy, commented: "It's all so simple to use.

"Never again will consumers need to stick their heads into a poorly-lit airing cupboard to struggle with complicated controllers."

He added that the technology will help people to save money and help the environment at the same time.

The announcement comes shortly after the government admitted that energy bills would need to be raised to pay for its long-term policy on tackling climate change.

This means that living in a green home and saving energy could help negate the impact of price hikes.