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What issues are households facing with smart meters?
Many households are reporting problems with their smart meters, including inaccurate readings and connectivity issues. According to recent data, 19% of households with smart meters have encountered issues, leading to frustration and confusion over energy bills.
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Why is there criticism of the current rollout strategy?
Consumer advocates, including Martin Lewis, criticize the UK government's focus on installing new smart meters rather than addressing the existing faulty ones. This strategy has led to a significant number of malfunctioning devices, with nearly 4 million meters reported as not working properly.
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How can faulty smart meters lead to misbilling?
Faulty smart meters can result in incorrect energy usage readings, which may lead to consumers being overcharged or undercharged on their bills. This misbilling can create financial strain and distrust between consumers and energy providers.
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What are consumer advocates suggesting?
Consumer advocates are urging the government to prioritize the repair of faulty smart meters over new installations. They emphasize the need for a more balanced approach that addresses existing problems to ensure that consumers can benefit from the technology.
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What alternatives are consumers seeking?
In light of the issues with smart meters, many consumers are exploring alternatives to avoid installation. Some are opting for traditional meters or seeking energy providers that offer better service and reliability, as complaints about smart meters continue to rise.