Martin Lewis has issued a warning to households who receive a letter from their energy supplier pushing for smart meter installation. On a recent episode of his BBC podcast, the MoneySavingExpert founder addressed a listener’s concerns about being pressured to have a smart meter fitted despite their “poor reputation”.
The listener said their supplier had contacted them twice, claiming their electricity meter had “passed its certification date” and that the firm was legally obliged to replace it. However, they insisted they did not want a smart meter under any circumstances, fearing the device could slip into ‘dumb mode’ – where it fails to send automatic readings to the provider.
Lewis explained that energy companies are incentivised to install smart meters and face fines if they don’t install enough, which can lead to pressure on customers. He stated: “There is nothing that would require you in most circumstances to have a smart meter.” However, he noted that if a meter’s certification has expired and the supplier is legally required to replace it, they can enforce a smart meter installation.
In that scenario, Lewis advised that householders have the right to request the smart meter be put into ‘dumb mode’, meaning it would function like a traditional meter and not send automatic readings. He also revealed that around 20 per cent of smart meters fail to work properly, based on his research.
The consumer champion warned that some supplier letters subtly imply customers have no choice, but in most cases, they do. He recommended that anyone unsure about their meter’s certification should check for stickers showing the date, though these may not always be accurate.
