Smart meter muddle

SIR – Claire Perry MP (Letters, August 2) describes smart meters as “building blocks”.

Building blocks are meant to fit together. Smart meters do not. If they did, we would have a standard design that is compatible with all suppliers.

Four years ago, E.ON installed my first smart meter. I was disappointed to find that it only provided gas readings every half-hour.

The next year I changed my supplier to SSE. SSE installed its own smart meter, as the E.ON device did not work for them. This meter did provide more current information on gas usage, but daily consumption was not displayed, as it had been with E.ON.

Last year, I changed to First Utility. I don’t believe the company supplied smart meters at the time, but changing the meter again would have seemed ridiculous anyway. I carried on using the SSE meter but had to email readings to First Utility monthly.

This year, I changed to Power Shop. The SSE smart meter continues to provide readings with current and daily usage, but this information is not available the following day.

I don’t see how the national roll-out can work. No one involved seems to have any understanding of contracting, writing specifications or the huge cost implications. Even more incomprehensible is the continued installation of the current smart meters, in the knowledge that they will presumably have to be replaced. Terry Maidens

Lincoln

SIR – Unfortunately, the big and powerful electricity suppliers will win in the end, with customers being forced to have smart meters fitted.

Those customers who do not have one fitted, to enable “dynamic pricing”, will be put on a default “standard” high rate for all their electricity. Rob Dorrell

Chippenham, Wiltshire

SIR – The next big cock-up coming fast is charging points for electric cars.

There is no national plan, and in most cases local authorities have no agenda. Smugness and lethargy prevail in the public sector. Tony Brook

Malvern, Worcestershire