switching supplier

caroldd

Every now and again I get close to changing energy provider and there is no doubt I should. It's usually those terms and conditions that make me pause. My gas and electricity meters are probably more than twenty years old and it seems at least one provider wants to make me responsible for their condition on signing up but are not yet offering a smart meter. My other concern is that a smaller provider can have a low ceiling on their personal liability. Come the time they are replacing your meter, you want to be properly covered. Does anyone have any useful advice or anything to offer from their personal experiences?

JJ_Egan

My meters are twice that age .
Its not something that has ever been mentioned on the 10 or so swaps i have done .

molerat

As far as I am aware there is only one supplier that has that clause which could probably be successfully challenged through the ombudsman and courts anyway. Read up here on reviews of suppliers and then go for it. Note that separate suppliers are probably cheaper than dual fuel at the moment.

System

I have switched many times over the years and I have never ever seen such a condition. What makes you think that smart meters will be anymore reliable than their well-proven low tech cousins? I would just switch and stop worrying.

Neil_Jones

caroldd wrote: »

My gas and electricity meters are probably more than twenty years old and it seems at least one provider wants to make me responsible for their condition on signing up but are not yet offering a smart meter. My other concern is that a smaller provider can have a low ceiling on their personal liability. Come the time they are replacing your meter, you want to be properly covered. Does anyone have any useful advice or anything to offer from their personal experiences?

Believe you me, if there comes a point where the supplier suspects there is a meter issue that may be costing them revenue from you they will come knocking to replace it almost guaranteed at their cost never mind what the T&Cs say.

The old style meters (including the dial ones) could be considered to be more reliable and are there tenant/resident after tenant/resident. Some will have been there longer than the people who live in the property.

Digital meters on the other hand... if the display is out how do you know it's counting anything, never mind anything accurately?

But to answer the original question - just go for a switch and worry about "meter condition" later. It will very rarely become an issue.

slinga

Anyone comment on Bristol Energy.

They are cheapest for me but never heard of them.