Energy users are being cautioned due to concerns over the reliability of smart meters, as research indicates that failure rates may be higher than initially feared. Official figures reveal that out of the 35.5 million smart meters installed for both electricity and gas, approximately 3.9 million - or around 11% - are effectively 'dumb'.
Gillian Cooper, Citizens Advice's Director of Energy, stated that their investigation points towards a significant smart meter failure rate. "Smart meters can help households save money on their energy bills, but today's figures show millions are missing out on these benefits because their meters aren't working as they should," she explained.She added: "This is just the tip of the iceberg.