Who owns Smart Meter Monitors and how long are they guaranteed for?

Satellite_John

I have had a smart electricity meter and monitor installed.
Am I correct in saying that the smart meter is owned by the electricity distribution company, but that I own the monitor?
If the monitor fails, will I get another for free or will I have to pay, if it is outside of the guarantee period?
Many thanks.

footyguy

Satellite_John wrote: »

I have had a smart electricity meter and monitor installed.
Am I correct in saying that the smart meter is owned by the electricity distribution company, but that I own the monitor?
If the monitor fails, will I get another for free or will I have to pay, if it is outside of the guarantee period?
Many thanks.

As I understand it, the monitor is considered part of the meter, so if it goes wrong in the normal course of events, then I would think the supplier will arrange for it to be repaired or replaced for you free of charge, just like the meter itself.


Edit:
Note that if you change supplier, the new supplier will treat your smart meter as a dumb meter, so if the monitor fails, so will you have to.
A different supplier will have no interest in the monitor.

jessmist

When My parents monitor went British gas sent a new one out free of charge.

CharlieSnorter

I am not sure who owns them, but I Am 100% sure who is paying for them.


YOU ARE!!!

You have 'bought' one whether you either needed or wanted one.

Total waste of money, but more profits for the energy companies in partnership with government.

macman

They are owned by the meter asset company.

Satellite_John

macman wrote: »

They are owned by the meter asset company.

So if the monitor goes wrong in normal usage, will it always be replaced for free?

Thanks

System

Satellite_John wrote: »

So if the monitor goes wrong in normal usage, will it always be replaced for free?

Thanks

No 'free lunch' here I am afraid. This is what OFGEM said in 2010:


3.21. To encourage innovation and facilitate flexibility for future development in this area, we propose that suppliers should not be subject to an enduring obligation, but should be responsible for maintaining and replacing IHDs for one year after installation of the smart meter. This is in addition to and without prejudice to other
obligations, such as those arising out of statutory consumer protection provisions, and the terms of their contracts with consumers. After this time, it will be up to consumers to repair or replace their IHD. We expect consumers to be able to purchase IHDs from suppliers and other retailers. Suppliers may choose to offer tariffs that include longer-term support of IHD devices.

3.22. One exception to this would be in the situation where the IHD was being used as the primary interface for a prepayment customer. This could be the case if, for example, the meter is inaccessible. In such cases, we would expect the supplier to ensure that a functioning IHD was available on an enduring basis in order to meet their licence obligation to only charge by prepayment where safe and practicable to
do so. The “Consumer Protection” supporting document contains more details on this
issue.

Satellite_John

Thanks for all the help.

Satellite_John

I am proper confused now. British Gas say they own both the smart meters and monitors:

http://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/gas-and-electricity/our-energy-tariffs/standard/terms.html

Are electricity companies different?

Many thanks.

MeterMan

British gas don't own the meters at the properties that they supply.

They thought about it a few years back but decided to put the money into nuclear power which has now been canceled.

As macman said, the meters/regulators/IHDs are owned by the Meter Asset Provider, this company will be printed on the front of your meter.

System

We shouldn't forget that the latest Select Committee review of the Smart Meter Roll-Out shambles recommended that -as so much time has gone by - that companies look to offering smart apps in lieu of IHDs.