Which? is urging the Government not to saddle consumers with the multi-billion pound bill for the roll-out of smart meters, which will save the energy industry far more than its customers.

Figures show the average household will make an annual saving of just £1.43 from a smart meter. This equates to a saving of £36.75 million for all of the UK's consumers, while the energy industry will save more than eight times that much at £306 million a year. Yet, under Government plans, consumers alone will foot the bill for installing smart meters in people's homes.

Which? warns that smart meters will not automatically mean cheaper bills. While smart meters will result in more accurate bills, they will not provide the information people need to manage their energy usage and cut their costs. This information will only be available to consumers if portable wireless energy monitors are rolled out alongside smart meters.

-- Advertisement --

The Government has recently re-emphasised its commitment to smart meters in its energy transition plan, stating that every home will be fitted with one by the end of 2020. Which? will respond to the Government’s consultation on smart meters, which closes next week.

Which? Energy Campaigner, Dr Fiona Cochrane, said: "We don’t see how the Government can justify asking consumers to pay for something that will save energy companies hundreds of millions a year, while the average household will make only minimal savings.

"People can only really benefit from smart meters if they come with portable energy monitors so that people can understand their energy use and potentially save money.

"2020 is a long way off. What people need now are simpler bills, simpler tariffs and greater transparency in the energy markets."

(CD/KMcA)