Forced meter change

spiro

KillerWatt wrote: »

The meter is not your property to start with, so the provider can change it when they want, for what they want.

Agreed, and if you refuse they can obtain a warrant to gain access. This sometimes happens when people are dumb/stupid/whatever and make changes to the house i.e. new kitchen cupboards and box the meter in so it cant be changed. They have the right foricbly remove the cupboard and are under no obligation to 'make good'.

Joyful

I would really like to know why both the Landlord and yourself don't want the meter changed? As has been advised meters get changed every few years anyway.

I was showing no bias at all in my post. I have been eagerly awaiting the roll out of smart meters as advised previously. Now I know what more they will be able to do in the near future I am very impressed.

SailorSam

How exactly do the smart meters work ? That there is not a need to have them read.

Freddie_Snowbits

cybergibbons wrote: »

You've really not articulated a logical reason why you don't want one, so to anyone else, it just looks like you are being awkward. You could write a letter to BG stating the same, but I doubt they'd be interested.

Ok here is a logical reason not to have one installed.

The technology installed in these devices does not enhance the following: -

Does not inscrease the accuracy of the meter readings compared with customer given readings. In the last twenty years since meter readers were taken out of service, the level of inaccurate bills has risen sharply. One only has to look at this baord to see so.

So as OP has an account that allows meter reading to be put in, will the Gas/Electricity bored gain any benfit for fitting this? Possibly not, over the current situation.

The ONLY benefit that would come with the installation of these meters is the fact that they will allow, remotely, the disconnection of the service without warning, during periods of high demand. This is played out as some con from the Green wash society, motto, after the aerosol we'll go for CO2, with some hindered benefit to emissions.

spiro

SailorSam wrote: »

How exactly do the smart meters work ? That there is not a need to have them read.

Several types of 'smart' meter are currently being trailled by suppliers. One of the key features is they are all capable of AMR (Automated Meter Reading) which ensures readings are sent from/read from the meter as and when required with no need to visit the site. Some have lots of other features like in home displays to show consumption and cost. Some allow remote switching from credit to prepayment which means suppliers could automatically change you meter to prepay if you are late paying you bill.

Starrystarrynight

From what I remember of my brief stint working for a utility company, meters must be changed every ten years. Mine has just been done. It's not a smart meter but it's much easier to read than the last so I was happy enough.

SailorSam

Starrystarrynight wrote: »

From what I remember of my brief stint working for a utility company, meters must be changed every ten years. Mine has just been done. It's not a smart meter but it's much easier to read than the last so I was happy enough.

I can't remember the electric meter being changed, that must be quite old but we had a new gas one only a couple of years ago. At the time i asked about them putting it outside, often we miss the reader and get estimates or have to phone in the use. I thought it;s better for me but a lot better for BG yet they still wanted to charge hundreds.

Joyful

Sailor Sam

BG don't own your meters.

cybergibbons

Freddie_Snowbits wrote: »

In the last twenty years since meter readers were taken out of service, the level of inaccurate bills has risen sharply. One only has to look at this baord to see so.

So, you are saying that because there are not very many meter readers now, there are a large number of inaccurate bills? And these are inaccurate because customers either fail to give readings or give incorrect readings, yes?

Freddie_Snowbits wrote: »

Does not inscrease the accuracy of the meter readings compared with customer given readings.

But you say the smart meters will fail in to increase the accuracy of meter readings compared to customer given readings? So, the two statements together:

The reduction in the number of meter readers has led to a reliance on customer given readings. Due to customers being lazy, uneducated, or malicious, this has in turn led to inaccurate bills being more common.

A technology which means that neither meter reader or customer needs to take readings will not reduce the level of inaccurate bills.

That makes no sense to me.

The smart meter means that you don't need to read the meter anymore, or communicate with the supplier. This is less effort, more frequent, more reliable, and more accurate.

drewdrop

Hi, just up after night shift, some interesting posts, except the 'responsibility of having a house/flat' anyway. For reference the meter was changed 4 years ago and checked by BG a year or so ago. I have never had any late bill payment or payment issues. The majority of posts seem to think that the meters are the best thing. I do disagree and posts stating I am 'fiddling' or ' awkward' are unfair. You like and I do not, this does not give any of you the right to dismiss my opinion, as most of you have. I did post for advice however all I have received is crap so I have wasted enough time, thanks for the few interesting and informative comments.