Energy News

Npower signs up to Which? smart meter promise

Wednesday 14 September, 2011

By Martin Fagan - editorial@consumerchoices.co.uk

Npower first of the “big six” to dispel the fear that it sees smart meter roll-out as a sales opportunity.

Npower is the first of the major energy companies to pledge that its installers will not use sales tactics to persuade consumers to change supplier while they are fitting a smart meter in their homes.

Fearing the “big six” energy companies would give incentives to their installers to sell consumers new energy contracts while fitting smart meters, in July Which? launched its “no selling, just installing” smart meter promise.

Until now, the companies that have signed up to the smart meter promise are smaller ones: Co-operative Energy, Ecotricity, First:utility, Good Energy, OVO Energy, Spark Energy, and Utility Warehouse. Npower is the first of the major suppliers to pledge to the Which? scheme.

The government wants 53 million smart energy meters to be installed UK homes by the end of 2019, which will cost a projected £11 billion.

In a survey of energy bill payers in the UK, Which? discovered that only a quarter consider energy suppliers to be trustworthy, compared to 30% who think banks are trustworthy.

“We're pleased that Npower is acting in the best interests of its customers by signing up to our promise of 'no selling, just installing',” said Richard Lloyd, executive director at Which?.

“As consumers are expected to foot the bill for the smart meter roll out, it’s crucial energy companies focus on installing them safely and efficiently, and not on the hard sell.”

Audrey Gallacher, director of energy at watchdog Consumer Focus, said: “People often feel pressured to buy when sold to in their own homes, so this step sends a clear message that Npower wants to act responsibly to make the roll-out work for their customers. We would urge other suppliers to follow suit.”

Smart meters measure household energy usage allowing households to see exactly how much energy they are using. The smart meter also sends information on a household’s energy consumption directly to suppliers, without the need to visit the property.