dumb meters

korky69

that's what i'd rename them
been in a new build around a month, electricity connected to the "smart?" meter, gas not.

fast forward a month, can't switch to another supplier yet because B'gas couldn't be bothered to swap my address from a plot number address (i've only just found) to my proper address (different street) which i gave them when i first rang,

so it now looks like another 4-6 weeks paying an higher rate for energy before my details match the meters and can switch,
also having only just got my account number during the call,
i guess they posted it to the plot number?
now the serial number on the gas meter is wrong, not sure whose fault that is, guess not B'gas fault.

i then asked for an up-to-date bill as to budget accordingly and they can only give me the gas, which i knew because finally i could manually input the reading online, also told that will never be connected to the smart meter,
but also cannot give me the electricity cost to date even though that's connected to the smart meter and it won't let me input it manually?
lobbed it in the pantry, waste of space

can i demand to be put on a cheaper tariff without been tied in as it now looks like January before its sorted, feels like a cold winter looming already.

ta

footyguy

korky69 wrote: »

that's what i'd rename them
been in a new build around a month, electricity connected to the "smart?" meter, gas not.

fast forward a month, can't switch to another supplier yet because B'gas couldn't be bothered to swap my address from a plot number address (i've only just found) to my proper address (different street) which i gave them when i first rang,

so it now looks like another 4-6 weeks paying an higher rate for energy before my details match the meters and can switch,
also having only just got my account number during the call,
i guess they posted it to the plot number?
now the serial number on the gas meter is wrong, not sure whose fault that is, guess not B'gas fault.

i then asked for an up-to-date bill as to budget accordingly and they can only give me the gas, which i knew because finally i could manually input the reading online, also told that will never be connected to the smart meter,
but also cannot give me the electricity cost to date even though that's connected to the smart meter and it won't let me input it manually?
lobbed it in the pantry, waste of space

can i demand to be put on a cheaper tariff without been tied in as it now looks like January before its sorted, feels like a cold winter looming already.

ta

You can ask to transfer to a currently available tariff offered by that supplier, that is compatible with your current meter. But you will almost certainly be expected to abide by the terms of such tariff.

The supplier should be able to tell you the details of any tariff you are on (or you can look it up yourself)

It's really not too difficult to then calculate what you have used by using these details, the number of days on supply, and your meter readings over that period... especially when you have one of these computer thingys in front of you.
(Gas is a little bit more difficult, but you can make a very accurate estimation if you don't know the exact calrific value to be used)

[Deleted User]

Watch out switching to BGs lower tariffs from standard, my friend went to a marginally cheaper fix and fall tariff and is now locked in with £30 per meter exit fees for a year

korky69

i can pretty much work out roughly if given the details, i was told a month ago the paperwork was on its way, obviously to the "plot no" not to the address i gave them.
i made it clear i wanted it sorting so i can switch, but 4 weeks on and no further than day 1
i definitely don't want to stay with bg, but i'm stuck with them while they drag their heels
i got told i had to set up an account 1st so they could change the details, they tried getting me on a fixed deal ahead of correcting my details, that lost any chance of my long term custom there and then, so now i'm stuck on the standard tariff

MeterMan

'we' have encountered many issues when fitting smart meters in to new build properties (I assume this fits to your situation)

British Gas only fit the electric meter in the majority of new build estates, the Independant Gas Transporter (IGT) is responsible for the gas meter installation and maintenance.

Another issue is that Bgas only fit one particular type of smart meter now (there are two types) and the IGT have been fitting both of these types regardless of BGs stance. The other issue BG have is that they are not allowed to exchange gas meters that are under the control of the IGT (unless a prepayment meter is to be fitted)

If you can post a picture of both your gas and electric meters I can tell you if they can be connected.

If the In Home Display (IHD) is working your property, there is a history tab which should be able to give you a rough estimation of your cost so far.

Failing that. find your tarrif, start read and current read. Your tarrif is likely to be 13pence per KWH, for every unit on the electric between the start and current read, just times it by 13 and divide by 100 for a rough estimation of your bill.

Live in Thorpe Willoughby by any chance?

korky69

no,not from north yorks, bit further south,

the electric is (was) connected fine, turns out, as you said, the gas meter isn't the type to be connected to it,

I've just compared prices on my standard tariff to what i'd hoped to have switched to by now (the mse/eon one) and its nearly £15 extra in the 1st month,
as i said, until they match the mpan/mprn to my address and not the plot which i requested a month ago then i'm stuck according to eon.

Terry98

Have you been told the Smart Meters will work when you move to a new supplier?

It seems, in the majority of cases, they will only be dumb meters when you change supplier. I suppose you are not to bothered about that as long as you get rid of BG!

korky69

yeah, to be honest i'm not too fussed,
if both energy supplies would automatically send the reading then maybe, but if I've still got to go and read the gas which is 3 feet to the side it kind of defeats the idea?
more interested in switching to a cheaper tariff

MeterMan

It wont be too dificult to get the meter exchanged, especially if the house in a new build and you where told about them prior to you buying the house.

Contact the builder and tell them they don't work, and that you need a phase 3 gas smart meter instead of the phase 2 gas meter which is installed. They should then contact the IGT to have the meter exchanged.

As for the electric, There will be a communications hub attatched to the electric meter, this has 3 lights on it, WAN, HAN & PWR

WAN - OFF/RED/GREEN - off, searching for a network, connected to a network

HAN - Off/Green - not/communicating with either Gas, Electric or IHD

PWR - OFF/GREEN - powered of not

If the WAN light is green the meter will be communicating. If not, there isn't much that can be done for the time being, but BG will be changing faulty comms hubs in the new year.

I understand your frustrations with them, because 'we' have the same frustrations. Its the IGT who is at fault here, and unfortunately BG have no authority over them. Get them to install the right gas meter and BG can come and make it all connected (providiing wan light is green)

korky69

BG just rang and my gas meter is mixed up with 1 across the road!
they've now got to do a "cross over?" i think they said,
an even longer wait before i can switch now!