British Gas want to upgrade my gas meter

jadex

BG (my current supplier) has appointed OnStream to upgrade my gas meter.
Whatever that could mean...
The question is who will own the new one?
If the new one will be smart meter, on BG's website they say:

Your new smart meter and the display unit are an upgrade to your existing meter. By accepting this display unit and new smart meter, you agree to the following extra terms and conditions.
13.1 We or our agents own the smart meter and display unit at all times.

I am on Price Protection 2010 tariff which is about to finish (on 30-04-10) and wonder if I let them to install the new meter, will this affect me somehow by not allowing me to switch to another supplier? Will I be tied to BG by having 'their' meter installed?

spiro

1) OnStream will own the new meter if it is not a smart one.
2) If they install a smart meter it may be owned by OnSTream or British Gas.
3) Who owns the meter does not impact you ability to switch as 99% of gas and elec meters are owned by parties other than the supplier.

smidgey

It doesn't affect your ability to switch supplier.

I've had a smart meter for 18 months as part of the trials here and am currently switching to OVO. My meter will simply become a dumb meter once I switch.

kjsmith7

BG won't own the meter. If your meter is old, they may be completing a 'policy meter exchange' (called this because it is their 'policy' to replace 30yr old meters, for instance). Otherwise, it's likely that OnStream have been assigned as your meter operator, and wish to change it to one of their own (quite a common practice among meter operators) for obvious reasons It's unlikely to be a smart meter unless you're on the smart metering trial, but if you are it'll still work with another company. If it's not, it's just the same as a normal meter. I'd wait for the meter exchange to show on their system before switching to avoid any problems with meter details not updating.

robbies_gal

ive jsut had one of these letters saying siemens will come and fit the meter it might not be a smart meter depending on my system?

then it says on the back us orour agents own the meter

does this mean im on the trial for it and od i have to let them in?

spiro

gabbyevs wrote: »

ive jsut had one of these letters saying siemens will come and fit the meter it might not be a smart meter depending on my system?

then it says on the back us orour agents own the meter

does this mean im on the trial for it and od i have to let them in?

If they say your meter needs changing you have to let them it in. If you dont they can apply for a warrant to force entry and exchange the meter. If they have to do that it will cost you loads.

robbies_gal

ok no probs im probably switching companies anyway dont know wot will happen then but will let them in if i still need them changed