Who’d agree to a smart meter now that millions are known to be faulty?
SIR – E.ON Next refused to give me access to its cheapest tariffs unless I agreed to have smart meters installed. It is, however, perfectly willing to offer me more expensive tariffs than the ones I am already on.
I thought this was unfair – and complained. Ofgem eventually awarded me a paltry £50 because E.ON Next had not fully explained its reasons to me. I understand, however, that the reality may well be that providers are under severe pressure to meet rollout targets, which includes threats of substantial fines.
We now learn that millions of smart meters are faulty (Money, telegraph. co.uk, March 26), giving incorrect readings that could increase customers’ bills, whatever tariff they are on. Thank goodness I did not succumb to the incessant promptings to have smart meters.
Michael Messam
Swindon, Wiltshire
SIR – Once again Ofgem is threatening to make life difficult for the elderly by introducing surge pricing for smartmeter owners (report, March 26).
We all know that smart meters are about as clever as smart motorways. How can the elderly – many already living on meagre budgets – keep up with the variable pricing tariffs?
Glyn Charlesworth
Reading , Berkshire
SIR – Electricity demand over a day swings predictably between about 25GW and 40GW. Flattening these peaks and troughs is an essential tool in reducing the risk of blackouts and the UK’S reliance on energy imports.
Smart-meter users who are penalised for using electricity at peak times will also be rewarded with cheaper electricity when demand is low, as many people on time-of-use tariffs already know.
I save about £50 per month by shifting my usage to cheap periods.
Jos Binns
Malmesbury, Wiltshire
SIR – The proposals to vary the price of electricity according to demand are rational. If fewer power stations are needed because peak demand is reduced, overall efficiency will be improved and prices should fall.
Perhaps the idea could be extended to include variable renewable-electricity pricing, depending on whether the sun is shining or the wind is blowing. I think this might also clarify the costs arguments for renewables, as it would show up the real costs of all the back-up power stations needed, as well as the expensive subsidies. Robert Afia London NW2
SIR – I refuse to have a smart meter as there is no check on the readings. I submit mine monthly and would immediately spot a suspicious one. How many people trust the computer system? Think of the Post Office. Michael Meadowcroft Durham