Smart Meters have merit – but at what cost?

Disgruntled Consumer from Vanderbijlpark writes:

Further to the comments published in your newspaper (August 3, 2016) in regards to Smart Meters my observation has been as follows:

• I keep a close record of my municipal accounts and billing of services.
• The attachment hereto is of my electrical usage and billing and analysing these I have found that from July 2015 to July 2015 my account has increased by +/- 27%.
• My calculations may not be 100% correct but accurate enough to perceive that over and above the recent service increases the installation of the Smart Meters has contributed a significant kWh cost increase.
• The basic electricity levy has increased from R169.07( July 2015) to R182.00 (July 2016) (7.64%) this increase more acceptable than increase in kWh charges.
• I have not seen any publication by the City Council explaining  the cost of installation of the Smart Meters.
• It will be welcomed if you have the detail of these costs and you would publish them in your newspaper.
• I do realise that these smart meters have merit, but at what cost to the consumer?