Pensioner reveals frustration at botched smart meter installation at home

The EDF smart meter installed at the home of 85-year-old Marjorie Barton. Picture: David Hannant (Image: Archant)

After being contacted by her energy provider, EDF Energy, as part of a national drive to instal the devices, 85-year-old Marjorie Barton agreed to have a new smart meter added to her Caister home.

However, after the engineer had fitted the device underneath her kitchen worktop, she noticed a problem with it - when she attempted to put the drawer back in place it would not fit.

Worse still, she says when she does try and close it the drawer hits the device, switching off the heating of her home, which she shares with her two dogs, Mitch the Yorkshire terrier and Carlos the chihuahua.

She said: “I am left with a choice between having the drawer ajar, which I could knock my knee on, or having a hole in my kitchen unit.

“I’m partially sighted so I can’t risk the drawer hanging out, but I need its storage space. I just want the meter out now.”

Mrs Barton has been living at the property for 11 years and says until now has experienced no issues with her heating.

Her friend Sandra Dobson, has been assisting her with troubles, including helping her reset her boiler when necessary and contacting engineers.

She said: “I think it is a terrible thing to have done to an elderly lady. If the meter did not fit in the space properly, it should not have been fitted.”

Mrs Barton has since requested the smart meter be removed, however EDF has yet to be able to find an available appointment for her.

The meter was fitted on Thursday, December 28, with the subsequent issues with her boiler continuing for the next two days.

When she contacted the provider, she was told that due to cold weather conditions, the firm were unable to send an engineer to rectify the problem.

An EDF spokesman said: “We apologise to Mrs Barton for the inconvenience she has experienced and are working with her to ensure the issue is fully resolved.”