Smart meter can’t even give a reading

Mrs E.W. writes: I had a smart meter fitted, but because the system was down, the engineer said he was unable to complete the job and someone would come later. Since then I have called more than once but nothing has happened.

Now Scottish Power wants a meter reading, which is impossible because their meter is still not working.

SCOTTISH Power refers to ‘smart meters’ and ‘dumb meters’, dumb being the earlier kind that has to be read. But it has no advice on what to do when your smart meter turns dumb, fails to transmit its own readings, and cannot even be read in the old-fashioned way by looking at its dials. Meanwhile, of course, Scottish Power has been collecting direct debits from your bank account without knowing whether or not you are in credit.

A spokesman told me Scottish Power has now apologised, adding: ‘Due to a connection error, the smart meter was not registered within our system’. An engineer has now visited you, connected the meter, and made sure readings are correct. Happily, your account is still in credit, and Scottish Power has sent £75 to say sorry for the inconvenience.