Name: Smart meter hassling to go up a gear as energy firms will chase those who have said no
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Smart meter hassling to go up a gear as energy firms will chase those who have said no

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Energy firms’ will contact customers who said no to a smart meter again as hassling goes up a gear in a bid to meet installation targets.Some of the UK’s biggest energy firms have already contacted all or the vast majority of their eligible customers but are under.Figures obtained by the Telegraph showed that the biggest companies have forecast they will install 2.6 million meters in the first half of 2021.&nbsp;This would be a sharp increase from the 1.97 million put in homes in the first nine months of 2020 - although this number isFirms face fines if they miss their targets and experts feared that this means customers could face more hassling in the new year, while several companies admitted they will be contacting those.A spokesman for Eon, which has three million customers, said: “We continue to offer smart meters for our existing and new customers and to highlight the benefits they bring.&nbsp;“This includes offering all eligible customers smart meters, and re-contacting customers who have previously not responded, or declined, in case they have changed their minds. This is in line with guidance from the Government.”British Gas said it contacts all of its eligible customers offering them a smart meter every 12 months unless they explicitly ask it not to.There are now more than 22 million of the devices in homes in Britain and the Government plans for the vast majority of households to have one by 2025.They track energy usage in real-time and show it in pounds and pence allowing consumers to more easily save money on their bills, but there have been concerns over plans to use them to switch off central heating systems with customer’s permission at times of peak energy demand.Tom Lyon, director of energy for energyhelpline.com, the switching website, said: “For consumers who don’t want a smart meter installed, the prospect of being hassled to do so won’t come as welcome news.“The reality is, however, that more ambitious targets have come as a direct result of the fact that the roll out is years behind schedule, as well as over budget.“Consumers have been helping to pay for the roll out and it’s vital that they see the benefits of the programme reflected in lower bills.”A spokesman for Energy UK, the trade body for the industry, said: “Energy companies have trialled different approaches with their customers to increase engagement and many customers have changed their mind about accepting a smart meter with over 20 million installed already.&nbsp;“Customers should contact their energy supplier about their communication preferences.”An industry source said it was “reasonable” to contact customers who have already declined a smart meter as they may have changed their mind. Customers can opt out of communications about the devices from their supplier.A spokesman for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said the roll out is a “vital infrastructure upgrade that will make our energy system cheaper, cleaner and more efficient, helping to reduce our contribution to climate change”.Robert Cheesewright, director at Smart Energy GB, which promotes the rollout, said smart meter enabled tariffs on the market already allowed consumers to benefit from lower bills and even be paid to use power when there is excess supply on the grid.He added: “A smart energy system, enabled by smart meters will help Great Britain meet its net zero target, enabling greater take-up and integration of electric vehicles and low carbon heating alternatives.”Related TopicsThe Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our.You need to be a subscriber to join the conversation. Find out more.Show commentsAdvertisementRelated TopicsWe rely on advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism.We urge you to turn off your ad blocker for The Telegraph website so that you can continue to access our quality content in the future.Thank you for your support.Need help?Visit ourpage.Close

Energy firms’ will contact customers who said no to a smart meter again as hassling goes up a gear in a bid to meet installation targets.Some of the UK’s biggest energy firms have already contacted all or the vast majority of their eligible customers but are under.Figures obtained by the Telegraph showed that the biggest companies have forecast they will install 2.6 million meters in the first half of 2021.&nbsp;This would be a sharp increase from the 1.97 million put in homes in the first nine months of 2020 - although this number isFirms face fines if they miss their targets and experts...

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Smart meter hassling to go up a gear as energy firms will chase those who have said no

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