Do smart meters cost more?

[Horehound]

I'm just wanting to get some facts really. My grandad is so opposed to smart meters because they have some woman who comes round each year to sort out which energy supplier/tarriff to go with (for free I believe, maybe it's a help the aged thing?) and she told him not to get them because they use more energy or cost more. He wasn't too sure but anyway, just had it in his head they were BAD.
However, whilst I was there I told him the benefits such as no estimated bills and not having to faff about giving readings which they struggle to do cause the gas meter is not in a good place for elderly people to reach and also they both have poor eyesight so can barely see the thing!
So I just feel like this will save them a hassle.
When I got home I told my husband what grandad had said and DH did say it rings a bell that the tarriffs were more expensive to cover the cost of the new meters.
But surely this is old maybe on the first page of smart meters? Because when I logged into my grandparents account they are locked into a tarriff for the next few months but the supplier will install a meter for free...so they can't be charging extra??

Just wanted your thoughts, thanks!

Wait until they introduce pricing versus demand.

Everyone's tariffs are more expensive to cover the cost of installing a smart meter in every home in the country. It's part of the cost of maintaining the infrastructure that's built into the price you pay for G&E.

But no individual will have to pay more because they have a smart meter, either to have one installed, or a higher unit cost because they have one. In fact, it could cost less because some of the cheaper tariffs are dependant on you agreeing to a smart meter, because they want to encourage people to have them fitted.

In your DGFs case, it sounds like it would be a benefit as he wouldn't have to read his meter, which sounds like it causes him difficulties.

But I would double check if the woman who helps him change his tariff is actually a free Help the Aged volunteer, and not some sort of commission earning buying group/MLM bot who's getting herself a nice kickback from 'helping' people change their energy supplier.

Is your DGF internet savvy? If so, he could always read the Moneysaving Expert information on G&E and smart meters.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/energy/

My tariff was the cheapest the company did - it had the proviso I took out smart metres within 3 months of going on it.

Thank you @BarbaraofSeville that's good info.
I did ask my grandparents if they ever had to pay the woman and they said no, so I'm pretty sure they aren't being fleeced.
My grandad is not internet savvy but my gran is not too bad so I'll send the link to her.
Thank you

I'd look into it carefully as the first generation smart meters are apparently not great as they stop sending readings if you change supplier. Although a new meter is available, it seems that some suppliers will not install them until they have exhausted their stock of first gen meters. I've also read recently that energy suppliers have requested permission from the government to use the smart meter network to regulate individual household energy use.

Individuals don't pay more for a smart meter or energy used through one. Largely suppliers reserve their best tariffs for online/smart customers because they pretty much manage themselves.

The larger suppliers are installing SMETS 2 meters now which are switchable, but smaller ones but still be rolling out SMETS 1 which are only useful to the supplier who installed it. They can tell you which type they're installing.

I have also heard that there can be problems if you you want to change suppliers. I shall hang on to my old scruffy meter as long as possible.

This woman is lying and probably a scammer.

The small amount of energy used by smart meters is not billed to the consumer. They draw power before the meter. Everyone's tariffs are rocketing - renewable subsidies and the cost of the smart meter programme.

No advantage to the consumer except not having to take readings IF the meters are commissioned after install - most companies stuff this up.

Smets 2 should not be installed now.

Are they on a low income? (eg if they have received the Warm Homes Discount payment) If so it might be that they are already on the guaranteed lowest tariff with their provider so changing would cost them more.

I’ve had them 8 years, no issues at all.