A bill payer wrote in to say they were being pressured to take action
Martin Lewis has issued a warning for people who get a specific letter from their energy supplier. A recent episode of his BBC podcast featured a selection of the questions Mr Lewis had fielded throughout the past year. One inquiry came from a listener whose supplier was pushing them to install a smart meter.
The bill payer remained dubious about having the device fitted due to their “poor reputation”. A frequent gripe regarding smart meters is their tendency to slip into ‘dumb mode’.
This occurs when the gadget fails to automatically send readings to your provider as intended. The person said they had been approached twice by their gas and electricity company, claiming their electricity meter had “passed its certification date” and that the firm was legally obligated to replace it.
However, the bill payer remained resolute, insisting: “I do not under any circumstances want a smart meter fitted.” The person said they felt there is mounting pressure from suppliers to have a meter installed.
They questioned whether they could legally decline the smart meter installation. Responding to the query, the MoneySavingExpert founder revealed he had been actively campaigning for smart meter improvements. He said his research has found some 20 percent of these devices fail to function properly.
Letters being sent by energy providers
Regarding energy companies encouraging customers to install them, Mr Lewis explained: “It is worth noting that energy firms are incentivised to install smart meters and fined if they don’t install enough.
“So you’re right, many of them do push people to get smart meters. I’ve seen many letters that sort of seem to subtly say that you have to have a smart meter, without giving you any choice. But you do not. There is nothing that would require you in most circumstances to have a smart meter.”
Addressing the particular concern about someone’s existing electricity meter being past its expiry date, Mr Lewis acknowledged this can occur. He clarified: “To understand expiry dates, some meters may have a sticker on, which will say the month and year it was certified, which will give you an idea of how old it is.
“There is no guarantee the sticker is correct. Sometimes the Office for Product Safety and Standards extends the certified life after carrying out a service, and doesn’t add an update sticker.”
When you can be forced to have a smart meter installed
Mr Lewis delivered some more potentially unwelcome news for the person. He said: “In the event that your meter isn’t valid and they are going to fit a new one, yes they can enforce that you are going to have a smart meter.
“But you have a right, if you wanted to, to ask for it to be put in dumb mode, meaning it will do the same as an old school meter, it won’t be sending the meter readings in and you will continue to provide manual meter readings.”