Does your energy provider do a smart meter? Smart meters haven't been around for long, so it's not every energy company that supplies them. Basically they are set to revolutionise the way that we approach domestic electricity.
By hooking up the smart meter to the laptop, you'll be able to get a much clearer idea of how much you spend at different times of year, and your patterns of usage. It will also help with planning your energy use.
Before the advent of the smart meter I wasn't even aware that there was suych a thing as off peak energy rates. Now you could conceivably stick the dishwasher on so that it's cheaper - but beware if the machine is anywhere near your sleeping place as the rumbling could affect your zzz's.
