Those with memory impairment and dementia will be targeted in particular.
The two will work together to provide information on the meters via the charity’s website, radio station, newsletters and social media accounts.
Leaflets with information on the meters will also be made available at Age UK’s retail shops and through its local services. Smart Energy GB will do similar work with Age Cymru and Age Scotland.
“Smart meters can make a particularly big difference to the way many older people use and pay for their energy,” said Smart Energy GB chief executive Sacha Deshmukh. “They make it easier for people on a fixed income to manage their budgets, and for those on prepay contracts to keep their energy supply topped up.”
“Our partnership with Age UK will help us take the smart meter message to older people – particularly those with memory impairments, who may be harder to reach,” he added.
Age UK head of innovation and programmes Steve Hampson said: “We know many older people worry about estimated energy bills and meter readers entering their homes. Smart meters will tackle these issues and for the first time it will be possible to really take stock of the energy you use.
“But these are new skills to learn, so through this partnership Age UK will support older people, specifically those with memory impairment, to learn how a smart meter could help them better manage their energy consumption”.
Between now and 2020, everyone across England, Scotland and Wales will be offered a smart meter by their energy supplier at no extra cost. More than 3.5 million smart meters have already been installed.
In June Citizens Advice Scotland called on the government to delay the smart meter rollout by five years on the basis it could otherwise cause problems for vulnerable customers and increase the cost of the project.