Smart Meters - still work after switching??

Steve_1234

Hi,


I`ve just switched to EON from British Gas, and I`m keen to get a smart meter. I`ve added myself onto their waiting list, and hopefully will hear something soon.


What I wanted to ask people, is what experience have you had with smart meters when switching suppliers? My understanding is that they are now all connected to a national register, meaning that smart meters will still automatically send meter readings to your new supplier after you switch.


But what about the energy usage functions? Does your little smart meter connected display in the kitchen still work after you switch?


Also, do smart meters now work for both electricity and gas (assuming you are dual fuel)??

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hello Steve_1234 and welcome to the Forums and to E.ON. Sorry for the late reply but only just noticed your post.

Glad you've registered for a smart meter. We'll be in touch when they're available in your area. They're not available everywhere yet as it depends on things like the actual area, type of property, the strength of the mobile phone signal and the current metering set up. Ours come with an energy display to help keep track of how much energy is being used.

The electricity meter is the hub of the operation. It stores, sends and receives information. Smart gas meters are available too. The gas meter sends readings to the electricity meter and the electricity meter sends information to the display and back to us.

At the moment, E.ON customers with smart meters could see changes to how the meter and display work when moving between different suppliers. It's likely their meters will revert to a traditional or dumb type. They may need to be read manually as they won't be able to send us readings remotely. Also, the display will no longer show usage in pounds and pence although they'll continue to give this in kWh.

This is only temporary until all suppliers use the centralised database you mention. This is the Data Communications Company (DCC) and they'll look after the Smart network for all suppliers. They'll pass meter readings to the current supplier. Not sure when this will be in place. The aim is for customers to be able to switch supplier without losing smart capability. To help with this, we're also looking at a new type of smart meter.

Hope this helps. There's more information on our website including some useful FAQs too.

Malc

Tigsteroonie

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

It's likely their meters will revert to a traditional or dumb type. They may need to be read manually as they won't be able to send us readings remotely. Also, the display will no longer show usage in pounds and pence although they'll continue to give this in kWh.

We 'inherited' a smart meter when we moved into this house two years ago, it's a British Gas device. We switched immediately on moving in (well, it took a week or two to organise!) to another provider. Our meter now gathers grease and dust, its only purpose to provide meter readings once a month which saves me having to crawl into the cupboard under the stairs for the readings.

JJ_Egan

According to the govmint spokesman they hope Smart Meters will be working and fully connected by 2020 .

Steve_1234

Malc,

Nice to have a company rep on these forums, but with respect, if you don't specifically know the answer to the question being posed it would be best not to answer.

Cheers.

victor2

Steve_1234 wrote: »

Malc,

Nice to have a company rep on these forums, but with respect, if you don't specifically know the answer to the question being posed it would be best not to answer.

Cheers.

Looked like all your questions were answered to me. Try finding any other rep on here to give you a straight answer.
However if you prefer direct short answers, they are no, yes, yes.

ferry

I'm still unsure whether a smart meter is for us or not.
Wonder if there will come a day where energy companies will be able send a little signal through to the meter to disconnect the supply if you are late or have difficulty paying your bill?

Steve_1234

victor2 wrote: »

Looked like all your questions were answered to me. Try finding any other rep on here to give you a straight answer.
However if you prefer direct short answers, they are no, yes, yes.

I`m sorry if I`ve irritated you, but its the meaningless doubletalk which I cant stand. "Could" and "Likely" most sensible people read as "I don't know", or "we can change our mind at any time" making the response worse than silence.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Steve_1234 wrote: »

Malc,

Nice to have a company rep on these forums, but with respect, if you don't specifically know the answer to the question being posed it would be best not to answer.

Cheers.

Steve_1234 wrote: »

I`m sorry if I`ve irritated you, but its the meaningless doubletalk which I cant stand. "Could" and "Likely" most sensible people read as "I don't know", or "we can change our mind at any time" making the response worse than silence.

Hello Steve_1234 and I agree, there's no way I can say with total certainty what type of smart meter you'll be offered or when. I don't like to ignore customers though and try to give some guidance even if it's in the most general terms.

Smart technology is changing all the time and there are so many variables that's it's difficult to come up with a one size fits all answer. At the moment, a lot of our smart customers who change supplier will lose smart functions and their meters will need to be read manually. As I say, this is changing all the time and could well be different by the time we offer one to you.

The bits about how smart meters send us information, the DCC and the energy display aren't speculation though. What I can also say is, when we do offer you a smart meter, we'll go through everything in detail so you'll be fully up to speed with what they can and can't do. Smart meters aren't obligatory and, if you don't think they're for you, there's no problem in refusing the offer.

Hope this puts a little more flesh on the bones.

Malc

Steve_1234

Smart technology is changing all the time and there are so many variables that's it's difficult to come up with a one size fits all answer.

I don't want a "one size fits all answer". I want an answer for the state of EON`s rollout and meter standards as they stand today. If you don't know, that's fine, but please understand, this kind of response is a textbook example of what people find infuriating about modern customer services.