Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether a smart meter fitted in domestic premises will be replaced free of charge if a householder switches energy supplier to one whose systems are not compatible with its use.

When consumers with first generation smart (SMETS1) meters switch energy supplier, if the new supplier is not able to operate the meter in 'smart' mode, the meter will continue to record energy consumption accurately and can be used in 'traditional' mode.

The Data and Communications Company is developing a solution to move SMETS1 meters onto the national communications infrastructure to enable consumers to retain their smart services upon switching. This can be done remotely.

Second generation smart (SMETS2) meters will be fully compatible between energy providers, therefore allowing all consumers to retain smart services when they switch energy suppliers.