Smart Meter lies No 3

Question

Energy4 · Accepted Answer

Smart Meter lies No 3 - What charges can be imposed by the installers, and are charges meant to be taken on by the utility provider, not directly charged to customers?

"...For domestic customers, there must be no up-front charge for a smart meter installation. As is currently the case with traditional meters, part of consumers’ bills will be made up of the costs associated with providing and maintaining meters..."

"...For non-domestic customers, as for traditional metering, energy suppliers can make their own decisions about how they charge customers for metering services and different suppliers take different approaches. Customers should engage with their supplier to discuss any possible installation charges, and could also consider switching to another supplier, or approaching a third party meter supplier..."

By June 2025, every home in the UK will have been offered the chance to get a smart meter.

This technological advance will help you to keep track of your energy usage, get more accurate readings, and understand why you pay what you do for energy.

These features may save you money, but all good things have their drawbacks – and smart meters are no different.

In a 2019 Uswitch survey, 31% of homes reported issues with their smart meter, so you should be prepared for certain problems.

And if you’re unsure about smart meters, don’t worry – there’s another way to cut costs. You can save more than £400 each year, just by switching your home’s energy supplier. If you’re looking to cut down your bills, this one’s a bit of a no-brainer.

That’s why we’ve partnered with Switchd. With four different price plans (including a free option), Switchd will find you cheaper, greener energy suppliers in no time.

Smart displays can stop responding
39% of people said their smart displays had simply stopped working in the aforementioned Uswitch survey.

This makes it practically impossible to use your smart meter.

In some cases, you’ll be able to use a connected app that can perform the same functions while you get the meter replaced.

But either way, it’s not ideal for four out of 10 people to suffer this fault. After all, if your smart device doesn’t work, it’s not very smart.

The installation can take hours and leave you with no power
Smart technology is relatively seamless, but when it comes to smart meters, they still need to be fitted by a professional.

This can take hours, during which time you’ll need to go without electricity.

It may be a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things, but it’s still a drag that such a small, advanced piece of hardware can turn your plans for a day upside down.

The whole machine can stop functioning
It’s bad enough when most of your electrical devices shut down, but when the machine which measures your energy usage refuses to work, it can cause a plethora of problems.

You’ll need to contact your energy company to let them know, then endure a period of time without a smart meter, and then deal with yet another installation.

This’ll mean carving out some time in your day to be home for an installation, and spending yet another couple of hours without electricity, all so you can get back to where you started.

The meter may stop being smart after you switch provider
Changing suppliers is one of the best ways to save money on your energy bills – but if it causes your meter to lose its smart abilities, the switch can feel like it wasn’t worth it.

And why would you bother getting a smart meter if it’s going to suddenly act like an old-fashioned meter?

This is another instance in which you’ll need to go through the rigmarole of getting a new smart meter, with all the kerfuffle that comes with getting installed and having the power off for hours.

It won’t save you money or fight climate change by itself
Smart meters can cut your energy bills, and in doing so help reduce your contribution to climate change, but they can’t do it by themselves.

You’ll still need to regularly check the meter’s data and adjust your usage accordingly, whether that’s by remembering to turn lights off in rooms you aren’t using, or by having shorter showers.

They’re smart, but they’re not going to win a Nobel Prize any time soon.

Your machine may not connect to the internet
Smart meters currently report your usage through mobile networks, which can be unreliable in certain areas, particularly if you live in a rural location.

This can lead to readings not being sent, which can lead to confusion over bills for both you and your energy company.

Soon, all meters will be connected to a wireless network made specially for them – and if you live in an area with an unreliable mobile network, you may want to wait until then.

Smart meters can be confusing and anxiety-producing
Meters can help you to track your energy usage – but constantly being aware of how much you’re spending has a downside, particularly for older people on a fixed income.

Some can feel anxiety as they watch the numbers tick up, fall into a panic, and turn off the lights and heating to save money.

This is exacerbated by some of the perplexing jargon on smart meters.

Most people aren’t familiar with the notion of kilowatt hours, for instance, and though devices will come with instruction manuals, this won’t always help.

A better solution may simply be for you to stay aware of your energy usage, and check energy comparison sites to make sure you’re getting the best deal

There is no upfront charge to domestic consumers for having a smart meter installed. Energy suppliers are responsible for the costs associated with installing smart meters, which are then spread across all customers as part of the overall energy charges.

If you have any specific concerns or questions about your smart meter installation, it’s best to contact your energy supplier directly. They can provide detailed information and address any issues you might have.