My energy firm won’t offer me cheaper tariff unless I have a smart meter installed – is it allowed to do this?
My energy deal is about to expire so I have started searching for different tariffs online with my provider Eon. However, to get any of the cheapest deals, it says I will have to have a smart meter installed. I live on my own and don’t earn a great wage – I need to be on the cheapest deal possible, but I don’t want a smart meter. I feel like I am being bullied into getting one – is there any way I can avoid getting one or do I just have to install one to get a cheaper price on my energy bills? Grace Gausden, This is Money, replies: We have seen an increasing trend of customers being coerced into having smart meters installed to be able to access the cheapest energy tariffs. We are encouraged to switch energy suppliers to save money – but it appears that many major energy suppliers are saving the best deals for those who agree to have a smart meter installed.
On Eon’s website, the Big Six supplier isn’t advertising a single fixed tariff that customers can switch to without having a smart meter installed. Many customers are accusing energy companies of using smart meters as a form of blackmail, as without agreeing to the energy company’s terms, you won’t be able to get the best deal. Smart Energy GB confirmed that energy suppliers are permitted to offer lower tariffs and can insist on smart meters as a condition. It claimed the supposed reduced rates within smart meter tariffs reflect the lower cost to the supplier of providing services, in the same way […]