Not smart enough

SIR – I was asked to make an appointment by my electricity supplier to arrange the fitting of a smart meter (Letters, November 3). On inquiry to Smart Energy GB, I was informed that we would have to have our solar panel export meter removed.

I asked how I would then be able to record the energy that we export to the National Grid, so as to be able to claim the feed-in tariff, as we do at present.

I was given some calculations, to work out what was exported and what we used. As that did not add up or make sense, I had to tell the smart energy adviser that if the export meter was removed we would be charged for the energy our solar panels produce as well as the energy that we use when the solar panels are not generating.

I tried and failed to get information as to whether the forthcoming kind of smart meter (called SMETS2) would actually alleviate this problem.

This “roll-out” of smart meters should be stopped. It is obvious that these will eventually be used for half-hourly pricing and that prices will rise (and keep rising). Andrew L Smith

Chelmsford, Essex

SIR – I had my smart meter installed via Ovo Energy about two years ago.

I must admit that it took some time for me really to get into this technology, but after nearly 18 months, I began to get it. Since then, I seem to have saved almost one third on my energy use.

One can clearly identify each item that one switches on or off within a few minutes, and begin to understand how much this affects the overall bill. It’s brilliant. I would not like to be without it. Keith Knowles Taylor

Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

SIR – It is claimed by energy companies that the current analogue metering systems make budgeting and cost control difficult for consumers and that smart meters ease this by providing real-time costs.

Constant connection of a smart meter to the energy company allows for the possibility of variable cost metering (depending upon network load and the time of day, for example). A constantly changing tariff would make budgeting by the consumer very difficult indeed, but would bring significant benefit to the energy company.

Smart metering therefore brings the possibility of a very uneven deal for the consumer. Roger Whittingham

Dawlish, Devon

SIR – I can put up with electricity suppliers trying to install smart meters in our homes.

What I cannot tolerate is their assuming that we are dumb customers. David J Hartshorn

Badby, Northamptonshire