Smart Meter Rollout - Further Delays

[Deleted User]

SpenderBob wrote: »

Morning,

SSE are inviting me to have a smart meter fitted. My contract with them runs out in September and I will probably switch so is there any implications to having an Elstar smart meter fitted?
I don't care if my new supplier has to fit a different meter or I end up taking readings again but is there any reason why having one type of meter fitted precludes having a different meter installed later? I can't see why it should but just checking.

Cheers,
Bob

Are you a small business Bob ? I only see Elster smart meters fitted to non domestics. If that is the case there are different rules for businesses and refusals are not allowed. SSE is big in the South East so maybe its different and SSE have chosen to fit Elster meters for domestics rather than Landys Gyrs we see up North.

Tony5101

I've just moved from Ovo to First Utility. I'm really disappointed to find out that the smart meters that Ovo installed cannot communicate with First Utility and they're now coming out to replace the meters with their own. Actually, only replacing the electric meter, as apparently they don't have a smart gas meter!
Very disappointing.

System

Tony5101 wrote: »

I've just moved from Ovo to First Utility. I'm really disappointed to find out that the smart meters that Ovo installed cannot communicate with First Utility and they're now coming out to replace the meters with their own. Actually, only replacing the electric meter, as apparently they don't have a smart gas meter!
Very disappointing.

There is 'no free lunch' here. The cost of this much-delayed programme is already assessed to be in excess of £12Bn - paid for by energy consumers. In fairness to OVO, then do make the point in their FAQs that smart meters have limited functionality after a switch.

Tony5101

Sorry, not sure what you mean by 'free lunch'?
I'm making the point that it's disappointing and quite frankly ridiculous that meters of less than a year old will effectively be scrapped, due to short sighted, none transferability.
If this is going to happen every time people move suppliers, then it's small wonder that the cost of rolling out these meters has spiralled up and up.

System

What I am saying is that each time you switch and ask for a new smart meter, the £12Bn bill increases. There is no direct cost to you for each new meter, but the overall costs of the programme will be recovered on consumers' bills.

http://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2015/11/dan-lewis-smart-meters-are-a-bad-deal-for-consumers.html

Tony5101

Hengus wrote: »

What I am saying is that each time you switch and ask for a new smart meter, the £12Bn bill increases. There is no direct cost to you for each new meter, but the overall costs of the programme will be recovered on consumers' bills.

http://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2015/11/dan-lewis-smart-meters-are-a-bad-deal-for-consumers.html

Ok, but my point is, I haven't asked for new meters..they called me today to arrange an appointment to switch the electric meter off their own back. All I did was move supplier, not move supplier and insist on a meter change :huh:

System

Fair enough but read the link above, there is money to be made out of this scheme.

SpenderBob

Are you a small business Bob ? I only see Elster smart meters fitted to non domestics. If that is the case there are different rules for businesses and refusals are not allowed. SSE is big in the South East so maybe its different and SSE have chosen to fit Elster meters for domestics rather than Landys Gyrs we see up North./QUOTE]

Domestic in the Midlands. I asked the operator what they fitted and he checked with his boss and said, Elstar.

[What I am saying is that each time you switch and ask for a new smart meter, the £12Bn bill increases. There is no direct cost to you for each new meter, but the overall costs of the programme will be recovered on consumers' bills.
QUOTE]

Thanks for the link which I read this time!
I assumed I was spending SSE's cash not ours.
I read a report somewhere that a lot of customers got very large surprise bills when the meter was read after a few years. This plus not sending out meter readers makes smart meters good sense for the companies, it remains to be seen what is in it for the people paying for the scheme, us.

brewerdave

Just had a letter from EON re "your meters are being phased out..."
Having read this thread not inclined to contact them to arrange because :-
1. Don't see the point in having "smart" meters fitted that will need replacing a couple of years down the line.
2. The leccy meter was only changed last Spring

and 3. The number to contact them is not a freephone number! Why should I pay for the call:rotfl:

On a more serious note, do they keep pressing (ie more letters ) or do they give up if you don't reply ??

System

You can decline a smart meter but you cannot refuse a meter exchange if it is deemed necessary.