NPower - coming to remove my Smartmeter..?

Sirbendy

Some background first...

I had my first statement through from NPooer last week..and it was utterly laughably innaccurate.

We moved into this property with a Smartcard meter - now, I know everyone will go "ooh, expensive", but...I like to see what I'm spending..and to be fair to it, It's been a fiver or less per week, which has been wonderful.

It's actually been working out cheaper than my old flat with them on a "normal" meter, for a much bigger property.

The statement listed all the transactions on my card (which was replaced when we moved in)..shows we spent £85 on electric topusp since march. Great. It also said I was £20 in debit, which prompted the phone call to them to rant about "I can't use power that's not there, it's never been run out, !!!!!! are you smoking..".

They've estimated a meter reading for the initial march opening value, and another estimate for the current value - amusingly the march opening value of the meter is higher than the current July value on it! I explained their figures were so far out of range as to be invisible, and they said they'd backtrack the bills and see what's gone on. I gave them a current reading etc too.

I also pointed out the energy "rate" on the statement said 12.990ppu, and the meter is showing 13.54ppu, and the standing charge is 53p/week, which they then said was too high. I politely requested a reworked bill and explained I was damned if I owed any money. They went away, quite happily.

YESTERDAY..I got a letter saying "representative coming out to you on the 30th.". I called them and queried the purpose of the visit.

I was told the Smartcard meters are being globally retired now, and replaced with "key" meters. I stated at that point I wasn't happy..isn't it the key ones that can easily run up bills due to not being calibrated or adjusted properly to take energy costs into account?

I was assured that no, there's a new generation of them..a reuseable programmable key jobbie, that's "more advanced and far improved" on the smartcard meter. I was assured that it'd be "far better", and there was "no chance" of being mischarged with "this new system".

I pointed out that thankyou, I'd been mischarged and seen a foulup of the smartcard meter that's currently used, and as I work in IT, I don't believe the "no chance" and "infallible" buzzwords. I was again assured that these new "key" meters are much less hassle, and the phone chap had "had one at home for the last 15 years, it's great".

I said I wasn't willing to go down to 15 year old technology..unless he'd had his updated, of course. He went quiet. Bless.

Anyway, yes...I was told it's a "global meter change being undertaken by all energy suppliers to replace the older metering systems"..is this more flannel, or is there any truth in any of this, and should I be afraid? If it's flannel, can I refuse to allow the old meter to be removed? It's working OK as far as I can see, and the place was rewired in 2001!

I know I had my gas meter replaced a few months back..the old beige BG one changed out for a quantum...and I've found that painless. Will this be the same?

spiro

Electricity get replaced after a fixed number of years which is set by OFGEM who allocate a each (make & type) a life so this could be the reason for the change. Secondly suppliers are replacing older prepayment technology (tokens and smartcards) with Key meters. There is no issue with the tariffs on these meters as they can adjust them just by you vending so you wont be caught using loads at the old lower price. Given the dispute with your bill I would suggest you advise them you dont want the meter replaced until after is has been resolved otherwise you loose you evidence (the meter) that the readings are completely wrong.