Don’t want a smart meter? Just say no...

HOUSEHOLDERS are being told to stand up against energy suppliers that try to trick them into accepting a smart meter against their will.

The roll-out of the energyreading meter has proved chaotic since the £11billion project was launched five years ago.

Problems such as displays malfunctioning and meters going ‘dumb’ after switching supplier affect a third of all those who accept the new equipment, says comparison website uSwitch.

Many people also feel they are bullied into accepting the new gadgets – wrongly being told the change is necessary or that if they do not switch they face heftier energy bills.

There are also concerns the meters can be hacked.

Victoria Arrington, of comparison website energyhelpline, says: ‘You do not have to get a smart meter just because a company tells you to do so. There are warehouses piled high with inferior firstgeneration smart meters that suppliers are desperate to get rid of. Stand up to these firms and only accept a new generation meter – known as SMETS 2 – and only if you genuinely want one.’

There are now 14million smart meters in our homes but the target to fit 26million by the end of 2020 is not expected to be met.

The body tasked with promoting the roll-out – Smart Energy GB – claims such devices could save homes £100 a year by prompting people to change their habits. This is because the meters come with a gadget that shows how much energy is being consumed.