Evelyn Francis is so petrified at warnings from her energy supplier that her hot water and heating could be cut off unless she gets a new smart meter, she has been having panic attacks and has even contacted her local doctor for help.
The 75-year-old former magistrates’ court official, who lives with her blind sister Angela Seve in Eastbourne, East Sussex, has been receiving letters and calls from Scottish Power for several months warning that her electricity supply could be cut off at the end of June.
Evelyn says: ‘I feel I have been hounded by my supplier Scottish Power over the past few months demanding I switch my old meter.
‘There has been no intelligent explanation – just bullying scare tactics where they treat me like an imbecile simply demanding that it must be done.
‘It has caused me severe headaches, sleepless nights and real anxiety. I went to my local doctor for medication, but he told me the best medicine was not to allow the constant pestering to get to me.
‘He even offered to write a letter explaining my condition to stop them bothering me.’
Evelyn is one of more than half a million households being warned their heating and electricity could be cut off unless they switch to a new smart meter.
The affected households are those that currently have meters controlled by Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) technology, which may no longer work after the signal is stopped on June 30.
Of the up to 600,000 homes using RTS meters, most are on Economy 7 tariffs which allows them to switch charge rates between peak and cheaper off-peak tariffs. It is also used for customers on Economy 10 and Total Heating Total Control.
Many have benefited from lower energy bills for years thanks to Economy 7. It has been around since 1978 and is ideal for households able to use appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, at night when they are charged at the lower off-peak rate. It also benefits those with night storage heaters.
Economy 7 customers typically pay half the price for electricity compared to those on a standard deal between midnight and 7am. But the day rate can be a
third higher than a standard tariff, says GoCompare. Evelyn surrendered to the demands last month and agreed to have a smart meter fitted, following the consultation with her doctor.
Suppliers will not promise that affected customers will be able to keep their old tariff when they are moved to a smart meter.
Retired policeman Paul Bryant, 77, from Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, who has been told he must switch to a smart meter, says: ‘Suppliers are bullies with phrases such as “you could lose heating and hot water services” if you fail to switch to a smart meter.
British Gas has bombarded us with the message that we have no alternative – but I refuse to be blackmailed into doing something totally against my will.’
Paul, who is married to Liz, 75, adds: ‘I want to keep control and save money by choosing when to take advantage of cheaper tariff rates.
‘Is that asking too much? Smart meters take matters out of our hands so energy giants can do whatever they want with prices.’
Some households are also concerned that the switch away from RTS is forcing them to accept a smart meter, when they would prefer not to have one.
Suppliers are keen to switch people to smart meters because they have Government targets they must reach to avoid hefty fines.
Smart meters can also save suppliers money, as they automatically send meter readings via a mobile phone-like signal in real time without a need to send someone out to read the meter.
But one in ten smart meters does not work properly, according to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Alan Beverley, 51, of Lincolnshire, says: ‘Prices are being hiked by stealth.
The energy companies win both ways – forcing us on to smart meters by stopping older RTS meters working. After this it is only a matter of time before they take away discounted Economy 7 tariff rates.’
John Dobson, 59, of Swindon, Wiltshire, is furious at the constant messages from his supplier Ovo Energy telling him he must make the switch.
The retired IT worker, married to Luce, 54, says: ‘This is just the latest sneaky trick adopted to convince us to accept the flawed technology. Until companies can prove the meters never go wrong, I will refuse to sign up.’
He adds: ‘Economy 7 lowers bills for people who have gone to the expense of having storage heaters installed years ago. It will cost us hundreds of pounds if we lose the special night tariff deal, with storage heaters we have installed becoming an obsolete waste of money.’
Some industry experts believe the rushed switch is unnecessary and the deadline should be scrapped. Wireless technology expert Nick Hunn, of WiFore Consulting, says: ‘These suppliers should not force you to have a new meter against your will with unnecessary threats designed to panic customers into the move. I wish the rollout was done properly rather than customers being constantly ordered to switch.’
When Money Mail contacted energy watchdog Ofgem, the regulator said there was no need for customers to panic – households ‘will be protected’ from simply being cut off while any changes are rolled out.
The regulator says it is not simply ‘flicking a switch’. The end of June only marks the start of the process.
A spokesman said: ‘We want energy suppliers to treat customers fairly. We have demanded action plans from every supplier and are scrutinising them to ensure robust contingencies are in place to protect customers who remain on RTS meters following the phased switch-off.’
The BBC delivers the RTS signal from a transmitter in Droitwich, Worcestershire. It says: ‘We do not own the RTS, we simply deliver the signal using our transmitter on behalf of the Energy Networks Association (ENA).’
An Energy UK spokesman says: ‘Given June 30 is fast-approaching, the industry is working closely with the Government and regulator on a carefully managed phase-out process to avoid disruption to any remaining customers, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances.’
If you’re unsure whether your home uses RTS, look for a switch box with a label that says ‘Radio Teleswitch’ beside your meters.
A spokesman for British Gas says: ‘It is an industry initiative involving all electricity providers, Ofgem and Energy UK. The electricity supply to any customer who has an RTS meter will not be switched off.’ Scottish Power was contacted for comment.
When energy prices spiked most households slipped energy price cap tariffs, but it is now possible again to switch to fixed rate energy deals that can save you money.
This is Money’s recommended partner uSwitch lets you compare the best energy deals for you, based on your home and gas and electricity costs.
> Compare the best energy deals with uSwitch*
By entering your address and energy usage, you can search for energy deals that can cut your costs and suit how you live.
Switching energy provider can also help the planet, if you move to one of the green deals offering electricity from renewable sources and more environmentally-friendly gas.
> Check the best fixed rate energy deals with uSwitch and This is Money*
*Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. This does not affect our editorial independence.