Speaking at a recent London conference, Zoe McLeod, head of smart and sustainable energy markets at Consumer Focus, questioned whether there were “sufficient incentives on suppliers to ensure customers change behaviour”.
She voiced concern that in house displays, which suppliers are obliged to provide to every household, could end up becoming “another Cert light bulb”. Her fear is that display devices could sit unused in draws, like millions of energy saving light bulbs sent out by suppliers as the cheapest way of meeting their environmental obligations.
McLeod also warned that the installation code of practice, “currently in its 28th iteration… defaults to the lowest common denominator”. Consumer Focus “has concerns it doesn’t go far enough and is not fit for purpose”, she added.
While suppliers are prohibited from selling extra services when installing smart meters, McLeod questioned whether plans to allow unrestricted marketing of home services might damage the rollout.
Other issues highlighted by the watchdog included the need for a data charter, so consumers are not bombarded with disparate pieces of information, and the need to nail down data access rules.
“We think there are gaps in the working of safeguards licence conditions and that a lot of consumer benefits will be missed, especially at the start of the rollout,” said McLeod. “We worry that it might… fall at the final hurdle.”