AN energy bill warning has been issued to seven million customers as a big switch off will cripple smart meters in the UK.
The parliamentary accounts committee (PAC) has published a report on the roll out of smart meters today.
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It has warned that millions of smart meters will be rendered useless when the 2G and 3G phone networks are scrapped.
That’s because the gadgets have a SIM card, like your mobile phone, which connects to wireless networks in order to work.
Around seven million of the 32.4million that have been installed up to March this year will need to be replaced with new functional ones.
They’ll need to switch to a 4G network, which requires a new SIM card.
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However, you can only do this if you have a second-generation smart meter.
Even then, the option to move to a 4G network won’t become available until 2025 at the earliest, according to the Data and Communications Company, the independent firm behind the smart meter network.
Despite homeowners not paying for smart meter installations initially, it’s expected they’ll be asked to handle any upgrade costs, or any new installations.
The PAC has warned that these updates may be “very significant”.
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It said: “The costs of these upgrades could be very significant, and, like other costs of the roll out, are ultimately passed on to bill payers.”
The deadline for the switchover from 3G and 2G is 2033, so it’s expected that these upgrades will need to happen by then.
You’ll need to check with your provider to see whether your smart meter is compatible for a new SIM or if it needs a new installation.
It’s unclear as yet how the switchover will take place amongst energy firms.
But, several major energy suppliers charge up to £50 to replace smart meters and displays if they’re faulty so it may be a similar deal for non 4G applicable meters.
Not only are seven million soon to be rendered obsolete, the PAC report also states that three million smart meters – nearly one in every ten – are not working properly.
This means that they aren’t as smart as advertised and don’t send energy suppliers’ automatic meter readings as they should.
Millions more have functional smart meters but inoperable in-home displays – the part of the device which shows you how much energy you use, and is often used by people to reduce their usage and costs.
The benefits of a smart meter can be seen on your energy bill, which is increasingly important while gas and electricity costs remain high.
Smart meters can save households hundreds every year, as they give people a better visualisation of their energy use.
But having a faulty or dummy device means that you might not be able to take advantage of electric vehicle (EV) and solar energy tariffs which are only offered to those with working smart meters.
The gadgets were first introduced to homes in 2011 and initially, the government gave a target of having one in every home in the UK by 2020.
But the deadline has since been pushed back to 2025.
Suppliers are supposed to take “all reasonable steps” to replace smart meters that are not working properly.
But the government’s delayed rollout targets mean suppliers have much clearer incentives to prioritise the installation of new meters rather than replacing broken ones, according to the report.
It also states that consumers are only guaranteed the benefits of being able to monitor their energy consumption in real-time guaranteed for a year.
That’s because if their display breaks after that, the supplier currently has no obligation to replace it.
The Sun previously spoke to a baffled EDF customer who had tried to get his “dumb” meter replaced but to no avail due to this loophole.
The PAC has published various recommendations of how both the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (which is in charge of the roll out) and Ofgem (the industry regulator) can better overcome the issues it raised.
It said: “[They should set out] a timetable for replacing the communication hub element of smart meters that will lose functionality when the 2G and 3G mobile networks are switched off.
“[They should set out] measures to ensure that suppliers use future-proofed technology – for example, by excluding 2G or 3G connectivity – in all new smart meter installations.)
The PAC has also warned that not enough has been done to ensure the timelt roll out of the gadgets, which began over a decade a go.
Having originally planned to complete the roll out by 2019, as of March, only 57% of 57.1 million meters were smart in Great Britain.
Dame Meg Hillier MP, chair of the committee, said: “The roll out of smart meters was first conceived in 2008, with a planned completion date of 2019.
“Some 15 years later and four years after that missed target, and its vision of access and support for every household to control their energy efficiency remains a distant one.
“There are functionality issues with many, millions will have to be replaced when they become obsolete, and the evidence is unclear whether their benefits are even working as advertised.”
Dame Hillier has said its inquiry also found that consumers’ enthusiasm for adopting one has been “understandably” harmed by recent “shocking” reports of forced installations.
She added that the government must now “get onto the front foot” and explain how it will sell this “troubled” programme to the public.
The Sun has contacted the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for comment.
Can I complain to my energy supplier about a faulty meter?
If you’ve reported that your smart meter and/or in-home display is faulty and your supplier is hesitant to fix it – submit a complaint.
Each energy company has their own complaints procedure for customers to follow.
When you make a complaint, make sure you follow this so they have the information they need to resolve the issue.
Simply explain what the problem is and what you want your supplier to do about it.
Check your energy supplier’s website for an explanation of how to launch a complaint.
Energy suppliers have eight weeks to respond and come to a decision.
If it doesn’t or you’re not happy with the response, you can take the firm to the Energy Ombudsman.
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Meanwhile, here is the full list of energy suppliers that charge up to £50 to replace smart meters and displays.
Plus, if you want to know more about smart meters and their potential benefits see our handy explainer.
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