The official body encouraging people to install smart meters has been condemned for misleading households about savings on energy use.
Smart Energy GB ran a radio commercial that boasted households would make an average annual energy saving equivalent to 354 kilowatt hours (kWh).
The implication was that this would also feed through to substantial savings on the cost of heat, light and cooking.
An official body encouraging people around the country to install smart meters has been criticised by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for misleading the public over probable savings
However, in a ruling published today, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said this was misleading because the meters themselves do not deliver any reduction.
The only saving occurs if households change the way they live - and cut down on electricity and gas - once they can see how much they are using after a smart meter has been installed.
The radio ad is part of a multi-million campaign by Smart Energy GB, energy companies and the Government to encourage people and businesses to have smart meters installed.
The devices measure real time use of gas and electricity and give the details to the householder and their energy company via a system similar to the mobile phone network.
This gives people better information on how much they are using - and the cost - which, in theory, provides an incentive to cut back.
However, the Government’s plan to install these meters in every home by the end of next year is hopelessly behind schedule and over budget.
The latest estimates show that just one in four homes - 12.8m - have a smart meter. And ministers have admitted that no more than 70-75per cent of homes will be offered one by the end of next year.
Initial estimates suggested the cost of installing smart gas and electricity meters would be £374 per household, however this has gone up by an average of £17 and is expected to rise again to around £400.
As a result, the total cost
