Consumer champion Martin Lewis has issued a clear warning to UK households receiving specific letters from their energy providers about smart meters.
On a recent episode of his BBC podcast, the founder of MoneySavingExpert.com tackled a listener's question that highlighted growing pressure from suppliers to install the controversial devices.
Understanding the Pressure to Install Smart Meters
The query came from a bill payer who was feeling pressured after their supplier contacted them twice. The energy company claimed their existing electricity meter had 'passed its certification date' and stated the firm was legally obliged to replace it.
However, the customer was resolute, stating: 'I do not under any circumstances want a smart meter fitted.' Their reluctance stemmed from the devices' 'poor reputation', particularly the common issue where smart meters can slip into 'dumb mode' and stop sending automatic readings.
Martin Lewis confirmed that energy firms are indeed incentivised to roll out smart meters and face fines if they don't meet installation targets. '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,' he explained.
When Can a Supplier Legally Enforce Installation?
Addressing the core issue of an old meter, Lewis delivered some crucial, and for some, unwelcome news. He acknowledged that meters do have a certified lifespan, which can sometimes be indicated by a sticker showing the month and year of certification.
However, he cautioned that this sticker is not always accurate, as the Office for Product Safety and Standards can extend a meter's certified life without updating the label.
The key ruling from Lewis was definitive: '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.' This means if your current meter is genuinely deemed unfit or past its legal certification, your supplier has the right to replace it with a new model, which will almost certainly be a smart meter.
Your Rights if a Smart Meter is Installed
For those forced to accept a new smart meter, Martin Lewis pointed out an important consumer right. 'You have a right, if you wanted to, to ask for it to be put in dumb mode,' he stated.
This means the meter would function like a traditional 'dumb' meter, requiring you to submit manual readings, and it would not automatically send data to your supplier. Lewis also noted that his research suggests around 20 percent of smart meters currently fail to function as intended.
The advice underscores that while you can often refuse a smart meter upgrade, the power shifts to the supplier if your existing meter's certification has expired. In such cases, knowing your right to request 'dumb mode' operation becomes your key piece of consumer leverage.
