Octopus Energy reviews: Give your feedback

niktheguru

Telegraph_Sam said:

If the new gas supplier is happy with the arrangement and pre-warned it should not be vastly different if he was getting an old-style manual  readings feed instead.
The dumb setup can be configured into the new meter from the start but I understand that there is nothing to prevent it being switched into smart mode at some later stage if required. A second fitter's visit would be required but the work would have already been half done.

I just don’t really see the point in this. Either get it fully upgraded or don’t change it at all. You’re asking for problems by getting it changed and keeping it in dumb mode. You’re better off leaving it as it is.

BeerSavesMoney

I agree, it’ll probably cause more issues down the line not getting it fully commissioned in the first place.

If you change suppliers and they can’t accept smart meter readings from it then it’ll go into “dumb” mode anyway. Change to another supplier later on who can and it’ll be back as a Smart meter.

[Deleted User]

Telegraph_Sam said:

If the new gas supplier is happy with the arrangement and pre-warned it should not be vastly different if he was getting an old-style manual  readings feed instead.
The dumb setup can be configured into the new meter from the start but I understand that there is nothing to prevent it being switched into smart mode at some later stage if required. A second fitter's visit would be required but the work would have already been half done.

Are you sure about that? Whenever a smart gas meter is installed, the supplier, and for that matter the consumer, need to know when, for example, the gas meter battery needs replacing: no battery power, then no manual readings. Leaving an analogue gas meter in partnership with a smart electricity isn’t an issue but the same cannot be said for a gas smart meter. You are making life extremely difficult for your supplier and for yourself by trying to go down this route. All suppliers are required to be DCC Users and manual meter readings will become an outlier as more smart meters are installed.

me16tsw

I found octopus to be quite good, sometimes the billing is a bit unclear, but they are very helpful and I have stuck with them despite being able to get marginally cheaper rates due to the customer service. 

tempus_fugit

I’ve found the billing to be very clear. Every month I put in readings and get a statement within a couple of hours usually. I also keep a spreadsheet and I compare the bill to the figures in the spreadsheet. They are usually with 1 or 2 pence of each other. I’m sticking with them when my current tariff runs out in August as I’m very happy with them so far.

Telegraph_Sam

Re: "Are you sure about that? Whenever a smart gas meter is installed, the supplier, and for that matter the consumer, need to know when, for example, the gas meter battery needs replacing: no battery power, ......"

The consensus of informed opinion seems to be that whilst running a smart (gas) meter in dumb mode is nothing new  - battery replacement is no great issue - on balance it would be better to replace the existing old style gas meter with the same (refurbished) non-smart variety to suit my preferences. And run this alongside a smart electricity meter.

I think this chimes with what Dolor is saying above.

masonic

Telegraph_Sam said:

The consensus of informed opinion seems to be that whilst running a smart (gas) meter in dumb mode is nothing new  - battery replacement is no great issue - on balance it would be better to replace the existing old style gas meter with the same (refurbished) non-smart variety to suit my preferences. And run this alongside a smart electricity meter.

Is this even an option? I was unaware suppliers were permitted to have old meters refurbished and installed as replacements.

Telegraph_Sam

That's what the man / his office said.  Also that they could obtain supplies ..

alph

I re-joined Octopus after moving home, and am glad I am with them again..  I have always found them to be cheap and have great service..    I would not locate the referral board , else I would have shared my £50 credit link.
But I do want to say , I very much do recommend them, and before I moved, I had been with them for about 3 years

[Deleted User]

Telegraph_Sam said:

Re: "Are you sure about that? Whenever a smart gas meter is installed, the supplier, and for that matter the consumer, need to know when, for example, the gas meter battery needs replacing: no battery power, ......"

The consensus of informed opinion seems to be that whilst running a smart (gas) meter in dumb mode is nothing new  - battery replacement is no great issue - on balance it would be better to replace the existing old style gas meter with the same (refurbished) non-smart variety to suit my preferences. And run this alongside a smart electricity meter.

I think this chimes with what Dolor is saying above.

Suppliers can now charge you for an analogue meter replacement (if they actually have one available to fit).