Linky meter: soon an increase of around forty euros per year for recalcitrant households

A yellow box whose absence could increase the bill. While the price of electricity fell by 15% on February 1 , it could increase again for households that are stubborn about Linky meters. On February 6, the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) confirmed that recalcitrants would experience a price increase to compensate for the additional costs associated with readings.

From 1 August, "users not equipped with an advanced meter will be liable for a tariff term to cover the costs incurred, i.e. 6.48 euros every two months". An additional cost of 38.88 euros each year. For households which, in addition, "do not communicate their meter reading or do not make an appointment for a meter reading, this amount will be supplemented by an additional 4.14 euros every two months, to cover the additional costs due to increased checks", i.e. a total annual amount of 63.72 euros. The CRE specifies, however, that households which are technically unable to have a Linky meter installed will nevertheless be exempt from these additional costs.

In a census dated August 31, 2024, the CRE estimated that 2.1 million users still had the old electricity meters , compared to 37.3 million with a Linky, many out of concern for protecting their personal data. These unequipped homes "generate specific costs (information system, reading on foot, control, additional customer contact)" , estimates the CRE to justify the additional cost. Since 2023, subscribers who refuse the yellow box could avoid the penalty by sending their meter reading at least once a year to Enedis, at the risk of having to pay a supplement of 54 euros. This will no longer be possible.

Last September, the Court of Auditors examined the savings made for Enedis thanks to the installation of Linky meters launched in 2016. More than nine out of ten homes are now equipped with this new smart meter, for a saving of 311 million euros between 2016 and 2023. The deployment cost the State coffers 4.6 billion euros, or 18% less than initial forecasts.