Smart meter. Change supplier

andyroot

Hi folks,
Last week we had smart meters fitted. I am ready to change energy supplier ( duel fuel ) . At the moment i am with npower , if I change to a different supplier will the monitor work with the new supplier..

Thanks
Andyroot

System

Yes and no. The meter will continue to work as a meter but it is unlikely to be able to communicate with your new supplier's billing system until SMETS2 goes live. It follows that you may have to read the meter yourself and pass the readings on to your new supplier.

From the NPower website:
Can I switch tariff or supplier if I have a Smart meter?

Yes. You're free to switch npower tariffs or switch to another supplier if you've had a Smart meter installed, in line with the terms and conditions of your current tariff.

Wherever possible your new supplier will make sure the smart functions of the meter, such as remote meter reading, are still available to you.

Worth a read:

http://utilityweek.co.uk/news/government-expects-a-4-month-delay-to-dccs-smart-meter-plans/1157092#.Vlwc8oQd5Bw

Sadly, the rollout of smart meters is not going well in the UK.

[Deleted User]

You lose the smart meter functions, apart from the monitor which will work as an energy monitor. Smart switching is nt available yet. Its "supposed " to come on stream sometime next year.
The only time smarts will switch is if they are with white label suppliers, eg BG and Sainsburys Energy switch ok

torbrex

Why do people find this so difficult to understand?

I was told at least 3 times that the 'smart' aspect of the meter would be unlikely to work with another supplier AND it also mentions the same thing in the booklet left with the meter.

System

Just to add to my earlier post, There is the potential here for a major 'horlicks' if the OP switches suppliers BEFORE the meter database has been updated by the existing supplier (NPower). Personally, if I thought that I was about to switch I wouldn't have accepted a meter change. What's done is done: that said, the OP will need to look very carefully at the meter serial numbers sent to him by the new supplier to ensure that the database has been updated.

Rubidium

torbrex wrote: »

Why do people find this so difficult to understand?

I was told at least 3 times that the 'smart' aspect of the meter would be unlikely to work with another supplier AND it also mentions the same thing in the booklet left with the meter.

Why do people accept the incompatible SMETS1 dumb meters that are currently being offered to them! The rollout is a complete farce organised by idiots!

The current timescales issued by DECC have given an end date of 1 August 2017 for the installation of SMETS1 meters, saying it should give suppliers “sufficient time” to transition to the newer specification of meter required for the mass rollout. However it has said the date could be delayed if “significant industry-wide impediments should materialise.”

All domestic suppliers are required to be using the DCC by 1 August 2017, while large suppliers will also have to install 1,500 SMETS2 meters by 1 February 2017.

So it seems that it will be at least 2018 before it is worth accepting smart meters but this will likely be further delayed. There is no point in having a dumb smart installed at the moment.

andyroot

Why do people find this so difficult to understand?

I was told at least 3 times that the 'smart' aspect of the meter would be unlikely to work with another supplier AND it also mentions the same thing in the booklet left with the meter.

I don't know why was it so difficult for You to understand when you were told three times.
I on the other hand was out when the meters were fitted , but I have found the booklet, it was in the recycle bin with the boxes the meters came in.

RobertinHerts

There would seem to be two aspects to the Smart meter capability:

1. Reporting back to the supplier (half hourly) and
2. Displaying on the home display device.

So if the new supplier cannot connect through to the meters will the home display device also cease to work? This is not mentioned in my User guide.

Also are we assusured that the whole arrangement will spring back into life when DCC is operations for the new supplier?

System

IHDs are unlikely to be supported by your new supplier but they should work. For the first 12 months, the original supplier should replace an IHD if it fails but it is under no obligation to provide a replacement IHD after 12 months. How this will work in practice if you have switched suppliers is a matter for you to argue.

DCC will rollout a SMETS2 standard. Individual suppliers can apply to have their SMETS1 meters accredited if they are capable of being upgraded to the SMETS2 protocols. Personally, I doubt whether, say, OVO would want to update an E.oN meter unless both companies are rolling out the same model. It would probably be cheaper in the long term to offer the customer SMETS2 replacement meters that the supplier is prepared, and equipped, to support. You might not get an IHD as the Govt is pushing suppliers to rollout smart phone apps to reduce rollout costs.

chanz4

I had a like for like mex, I no longer have a smart meter even though it is smart capable courtesy of eon