Companies make smart meters mandatory

SIR – As someone who has a roof set of photovoltaic panels, I am never likely to fit a smart meter of any description.

When visiting various online power supplier comparison sites, I was appalled by the number of cheaper special offers that included the phrase: “Smart meter fitting mandatory”. Presumably these companies are desperate to avoid being fined for failing to meet their government targets for smart meters fitted. John Todd

Stoke-on-trent, Staffordshire

SIR – The Government, in association with energy companies, regularly extols the benefits of installing smart meters in our homes.

However, problems with the technology are regularly reported in the media (“Millions of smart meters are not working”, report, May 15), as is a lack of enthusiasm from the public.

The usual claim is that consumers can closely monitor energy consumption and thus save money. However, I find that switching lights off, turning heaters down, and so on, is a sure and proven way of reducing consumption.

I cannot believe that swathes of the population are constantly monitoring their consumption rates on these meters. Neville Harrison

Dormansland, Surrey

SIR – The cost to the tax payer of the smart meter roll-out is around £200 per household, before the replacement of faulty meters is taken into account.

I already have a meter which I can read myself; I have reasonably effective insulation and LED lights. I only turn the heat on when I am cold and the lights when I need to see, so there is no potential benefit to me.

Dr Robert J Leeming

Coventry, Warwickshire