True cost of meters

CONSUMER affairs editor Sean Poulter points out the smart meter project will cost £11billion and the cost will be recovered from the consumer over five years (Mail).

Far from being a consumer benefit, the only saving is the supplier not having to employ meter readers.

Consumers can make their own savings just by being careful with what they use; they don’t have to look at some gizmo.

P. STURGEON, Mildenhall, Suffolk. MY electricity supplier has asked me if I would like a smart meter installed as this would help me lower my electricity costs.

I cannot switch off my fridge or reduce my cooking costs. I use my washing machine once a week. I have five radiators but only three are ever in use which barely supply enough heat to keep a semblance of warmth.

The only available reduction I could make is from my toaster, kettle and water heater, so if I had no toast no tea and have cold showers then I would be able to save perhaps 40 pence a week but at a cost to my standard of living.

Apart from all of that the new smart meter is also vulnerable to hacking which could cause all sorts of problems.

The only reason suppliers would like us to install them is to increase their already bloated profits. For them to claim our electricity costs could reduce is simply lies.

D DaviDSON, Nairn, Moray. WHO is surprised that the smart meter project is in chaos?

If Government and energy suppliers were honest about the reason for this scheme, there would not be a problem.

It’s simple to save on your gas and electricity: turn down the central heating if you don’t need it. A smart meter can’t do that.

BRiaN BEST, High Wycombe, Bucks.