While browsing through an old writing jotter the other day, I came across this little ditty written in 2012 about a device British Gas gave me. It sat on my kitchen counter for three years and was clearly a fore runner to the present day smart meters. It did the job very well and I want to know why the government felt it necessary to burden the consumer with the cost of something far more expensive.
There's a little face that looks at me everyday
Monitoring the cost of work and play.
It frowns at the kettle and hates the TV
I wish so much it would just let me be.
Usually in the morning it smiles like a lark
It makes me feel happy when it makes no remark.
Round about lunchtime the mouth starts to droop
So dinner tonight will be a bowl of cold soup.
Sometimes it throbs and its face turns red
That's when I know I must go to bed.
I refuse to have a smart meter installed in my house. For one thing, the electricity meter needs moving. Currently it is below ground level, in a damp, dark pantry. I did try to bargain with my supplier, saying I would have a smart meter if they put it somewhere else. "Yes," they said, "we can do that. It'll only cost you £200." I didn't reply so they kept ringing me up, hassling me, threatening me. "Everyone must have a smart meter. Don't you understand, this will help you save on your energy bills." No it won't! It just means I'll be stressed every time I switch on the kettle.
