Cost of smart meters

SIR – We have been sent a booklet from Smart Energy GB, on the virtues of having a smart meter installed.

It says they are “provided at no extra cost, so you will not have to pay for the cost of installation”. What isn’t said is that the cost of smart meters is paid eventually by all energy users through a tax added to bills – estimated by the Government to cost each household £200, spread over several years. No doubt some of this is included in the £150 green tax which, according to British Gas, will be charged in next year’s bills (report, August 2).

Nothing is said about these meters not being compulsory, and I doubt anybody would wish to buy one if they knew it was going to cost so much

– for little benefit to the consumer.

The main beneficiaries are energy companies, which no longer have to read the meters and will find it easier to alter tariffs. We know that smart meters do not work in many homes, cease to work when customers change supplier and sometimes give inflated readings, leading to overcharging.

Time to cancel this expensive Eu-inspired project. Rodney Tate

Bedford

SIR – The spat between the Government and British Gas over its 12.5 per cent rise in electricity prices (report, August 2) makes one thing clear: a lack of transparency in energy bills. Governments appear to shy away from the simple step of making all suppliers show the actual amount we pay in subsidies for “green” energy.

It seems subsidies rise every year, and will continue to do so. If Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, manages to make everyone drive an electric car, we will end up paying more in subsidies than the actual cost of the electricity used. Michael Edwards

Haslemere, Surrey