can i switch with having utilita smart meters

dibs1975

i am with utilita and think there customer services are rubbish and have ripped me off. i topped up online in december and it didnt go on my meter. after numrous phone calls was told it was a fault on the online top up service, saying it would be sorted in 5 to 6 days. 2 month on still not recieved the top up or money back. told it is up to my bank to give me the money back. but money left my bank so utilita have it. even though i was put on hold as they spoke to a manger i asked to speak to someone higher and was told no one was avaible. so ive been looking about at different suppliers but unsure with the meters i have, do i have to stay on prepay or can i pay monthly or annual as reading the meter instrutions it can be used as a credit me. which companys will let me use this meters. anyone know what my options are with having these meters or will i need them changed.


thank you for anyone who offers me advice

Joyful

Your meters will need to be changed to standard meters when you transfer.

davethorp

Utilita can make it very hard to leave. My partner's sister was with them at her previous address and tried to leave a number of times. Each time utilita objected to and blocked the switch

macman

Why can't the smart meters simply be left in place and read as 'dumb' meters?

C_Mababejive

Utilita meters are actually a form of prepayment meter. Check your contract . If your in contract period, they wont switch you. I am aware of people having difficulties with lost credit and similar due to glitches in the system or the home top up unit losing contact with the meter etc. Not sure how widespread it is.

[Deleted User]

I think Utilita are using the first generation smart gas prepay, a Liberty meter. Prob the same one as Ovo are using. Possibly no other suppliers other than these two can support this smart prepay only meter. British Gas are reported to be trialing the same smart gas prepay in April. To move from these two will need a change of meter back to a standard prepay and there may be a charge for this move locking them in somewhat.
Just read a few really bad reviews by customers signed up to their smart prepays , one said he had to pay £108 to get away from them. Can the OP phone their cust services and let us know the outcome. If this is how smart prepays are going to work there will a lot of teething problems.

wr1ght

if you do manage to change supplier on the day of the change utilita will remotely disconnect their meters and you will have to contact your new supplier to come and change the meters #nightmare!!

azzadle

That just isn't true. The meters change from prepayment to credit mode. Neither Utilita or the new supplier will, or can, charge for removal or meters. There is no way that the meters can be remotely disconnected.

hmc

I've just had a guy on the phone about switching to their smart meter. It all sounds good regarding lower standing charges etc, am I missing something as people earlier in the thread in feb don't seem happy?

MeterMan

BG dont use the same meters as utilita, We have L&G smart prepay meters, they are E6 meters, the utilita is a G4 meter.