British Gas smart meters and switching suppliers

nicegirl

Morning all, I have a 'what would you do' scenario for you.

We have BG coming round this weekend to fit a smart meter after hassling us about it for ages. We were not particularly bothered about having one as we manage our energy quite well (there is only the two of us in a two bed flat). Also, we are planning on putting the flat on the market early next year so we won't be in it much longer, hopefully. But as I say they were quite insistent about it so we agreed as long as they would come on a weekend.

However this morning I've been reading my MSE email about the potential 8% price hike for BG, and I'm wondering if we should consider changing suppliers even for a short while. If we do this, there doesn't seem much point in wasting my Saturday having BG in the house fiddling with the meters. (One is in an awkward place so I'm sure s/he'll be there a while).

My questions are:
-Would you bother having them come fit the smart meter if you planned to change suppliers/move out soon?
-If you change suppliers, how does that work if you move house? Do you need to make sure you don't sign up for a scheme with exit fees (if they exist) or can you take the scheme to a new address?
-What would you do in my situation?

I've never changed suppliers so I'm not sure how it all works.

Thank you!

nicegirl

74 views and no replies?

matelodave

I wouldn't bother with a smart meter unless it was going to save me money - I'd rather have a cheaper tariff. I certainly wouldn't sign up for a more expensive tariff just to get one.

Not sure what the situation is if you change suppliers, I'd guess that either BG would want it back or the new supplier might just use it as a non-smart meter - check if you'd have to pay to get it changed if you gave up with BG

macman

If you move house, your contract is voided without any ETC's, so it doesn't matter.

SailorSam

We have a BG gasman who is a regular on these forums he'll probably give you the best advice later on.
Personally i was keen to get a smart meter until i started reading online about the number of problems that some seem to have so now i'll wait until they sort out any teething troubles, if i can.

Wolf3

All Smart meters are being installed on a trial basis at the moment and wont affect your tariff/contract. As far as i know they are only being installed by a couple of suppliers so they can get rid of the teething problems later down the line when every household has to have them installed, 2019 i believe. the smart meters themselves are designed to allow you to visualize the amount of energy your using, so you can make attempts to reduce your energy usage to save money and also transmit the meter readings wirelessly so you dont have to be at the property to let a meter reader in to obtain a reading. However as this technology is new, there are teething problems and currently i believe the smart meters are not transferable. So your brand new shiny smart meter will only be smart if your supplied by the company that installed it. For any other supplier it will be a bog standard dumb meter. The only exit costs for changing your supplier will be on your current tariff, nothing for the smart meter

MK55

As Wolf3 said, I find mine very useful to see in winter how much gas i've used each day. It also helps you look at things that use a lot of electric and use it more when needed rather than wanted.

As for Matelodave, I don't understand why you would be on a more expensive tariff? You're smart meter does not restrict your tariff choice. I

matelodave

Some suppliers were offering as smart tariffs which cost more than standard because of the extra functionality of the meter (ie the wireless repeater unit). I don't know if BG are doing it now although they were offering wireless energy meters a few years ago, sometimes for free and sometimes on special tariffs.

PollySouthend

Dont get it done! Its dodgy experimental technology and could put some people off buying your home.

2010

"BG is quite insistent to get it fitted", I bet they are.

Cancel it NOW.
These meters are entirely optional, you don`t have to have them.
Even when your current meter needs replacing and the power companies say that "smart meters" are the only ones they fit now, they don`t have to be activated, and you can insist they are used as a normal meter.

Ilona

BG wanted to fit a smart meter in my house. I said no, I didn't want one. I let them fit an ordinary one because the original meter was donkeys years old. You don't have to have one.
Ilona