Homeowners pinning their hopes on smart meters instead of choosing to switch gas and electricity companies may not make the savings they expect, a new study says.
Consumer organisation Which? has warned that smart meters will produce individual customer savings of just £1.43 a year - nearly £37 million altogether - while energy firms stand to save over £300 million.
The organisation said that homeowners will need to be supplied with separate portable wireless energy monitors to properly identify their usage, as smart meters are primarily designed to generate more accurate bills.
Dr Fiona Cochrane, Which? energy campaigner, said: "We don't see how the government can justify asking consumers to pay for something that will save energy companies hundreds of millions a year, while the average household will make only minimal savings."
The government has pledged to eradicate fuel poverty - where homeowners have to allocate more than ten per cent of their annual earnings to cover energy bills - within the next seven years.
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