Is there any IHD giving consumer meter readings?

[Deleted User]

I have a smart meter fitted by E.ON and earlier this year I was considering switching suppliers. Only then did it emerge to me that the chaotic roll-out of smart meters means that switch supplier = lose smart meter. While to others this may not be a big issue, my primary reason for asking installation of a smart meter was the physical location of the meters making it difficult, if not impossible, to read the meters to provide consumer readings. I intensely dislike estimated bills and the meter reading people rarely visit and, being unable to gain entry, inevitably just leaving a card asking for a consumer reading to be provided.

The bottom line was that, as my existing in-home display did not provide ability to display meter readings, it seriously discouraged me from switching. I prefer to pay a few quid extra for my energy rather than risk breaking my neck trying to read a meter positioned fairly inaccessibly. As a compromise E.ON agreed to change my smart meters to a different model which I was assured came with an in-home display with a facility to view meter readings. That sounded like a great solution but, in the event, there turned out to be bad news since the displayed gas meter reading was in the wrong units (showing kWh instead of the mandatory cubic meters required for a consumer reading). Sure, it's theoretically possible to research National Grid for calorific values and try a manual conversion, but I have better things to do with my time.

My question therefore is simple. Is there any in-home display anywhere on the market in the UK which will display meter readings in the correct units to supply a consumer reading for both gas and electricity? Incidentally, before anyone says so, yes I appreciate that in general gas readings may be delayed by a few minutes because communication with in-home display is only done approx every 30 minutes. To me that's a non-issue.

While we're all in limbo with the SMETS1/SMETS2 problem I just want a simple and straightforward way of being able to view my meter readings on an in-home display whenever I wish and pass them onto my energy supplier as appropriate.

EachPenny

In your situation, in the possible absence of any suitable IHD, I might be tempted to invest (under £10) in a USB endoscope camera - google "5m usb snake" to see examples.

If you can position the camera to see the meter readings then the usb cable can be run to a convenient place and left where you can plug a laptop etc in as and when you want to take a reading. It might be a faff to set up, but will at least avoid the need to switch suppliers if that is the only way to get a suitable IHD.

[Deleted User]

EachPenny wrote: »

In your situation, in the possible absence of any suitable IHD, I might be tempted to invest (under £10) in a USB endoscope camera - google "5m usb snake" to see examples.

If you can position the camera to see the meter readings then the usb cable can be run to a convenient place and left where you can plug a laptop etc in as and when you want to take a reading. It might be a faff to set up, but will at least avoid the need to switch suppliers if that is the only way to get a suitable IHD.

Thanks for your suggestions.
1 I've got two meters (gas & electric) in different places so would need 2 cameras which may prove a bit messy with extensive USB wiring.

2 As regards your second suggestion, I'm puzzled as to how a supplier change would be a solution. As mentioned in my OP switch supplier = lose smart meter. The potential ones I've spoken to so far about switching just say tough luck, we'll take on your existing meters and operate them as dumb. Feel free to give me a list of suppliers who would be so enthralled at having a new customer that they'd immediately rip out my existing smart meters and replace them with new equipment including an IHD displaying gas readings in cubic metres.

trickytree1963

Your Eon Smart Meter can be compatible with other suppliers. If they use "Secure" Smart meters such companies as Ovo, First Utility and Robin Hood Energy do at least as gar as I know.

fredandwilma

Deleted_User wrote: »

I have a smart meter fitted by E.ON and earlier this year I was considering switching suppliers. Only then did it emerge to me that the chaotic roll-out of smart meters means that switch supplier = lose smart meter. While to others this may not be a big issue, my primary reason for asking installation of a smart meter was the physical location of the meters making it difficult, if not impossible, to read the meters to provide consumer readings. I intensely dislike estimated bills and the meter reading people rarely visit and, being unable to gain entry, inevitably just leaving a card asking for a consumer reading to be provided.

The bottom line was that, as my existing in-home display did not provide ability to display meter readings, it seriously discouraged me from switching. I prefer to pay a few quid extra for my energy rather than risk breaking my neck trying to read a meter positioned fairly inaccessibly. As a compromise E.ON agreed to change my smart meters to a different model which I was assured came with an in-home display with a facility to view meter readings. That sounded like a great solution but, in the event, there turned out to be bad news since the displayed gas meter reading was in the wrong units (showing kWh instead of the mandatory cubic meters required for a consumer reading). Sure, it's theoretically possible to research National Grid for calorific values and try a manual conversion, but I have better things to do with my time.

My question therefore is simple. Is there any in-home display anywhere on the market in the UK which will display meter readings in the correct units to supply a consumer reading for both gas and electricity? Incidentally, before anyone says so, yes I appreciate that in general gas readings may be delayed by a few minutes because communication with in-home display is only done approx every 30 minutes. To me that's a non-issue.

While we're all in limbo with the SMETS1/SMETS2 problem I just want a simple and straightforward way of being able to view my meter readings on an in-home display whenever I wish and pass them onto my energy supplier as appropriate.

picks - Forgive me, but i don't understand your problem?

E.on have supplied you with another IHD which presumably is acceptable to them, but in any case, why do you need to keep taking meter readings, especially if you are staying with E.on?

The whole point of having the Smart Meter System is, it automatically transmits your meter readings to E.on, unless the system isn't working for you, (i.e. you don't have a signal,) in which case, you don't have the Smart Meter System, and you may as well change suppliers, anyway?

If you have problems reading the actual meters, are you registered on the Priority Services Register with E.on or any other company you may wish to switch to, explaining you have problems accessing your meter?

I only have my meters read once a year, which is done by the meter man (or woman,) just to verify the readings.

I think I've explained before, you can also check your meter readings online, (apart from the 30 mins delay with gas, as you've mentioned).

Rubidium

fredandwilma wrote: »

picks - Forgive me, but i don't understand your problem?

E.on have supplied you with another IHD which presumably is acceptable to them, but in any case, why do you need to keep taking meter readings, especially if you are staying with E.on?

The whole point of having the Smart Meter System is, it automatically transmits your meter readings to E.on, unless the system isn't working for you, (i.e. you don't have a signal,) in which case, you don't have the Smart Meter System, and you may as well change suppliers, anyway?

If you have problems reading the actual meters, are you registered on the Priority Services Register with E.on or any other company you may wish to switch to, explaining you have problems accessing your meter?

I only have my meters read once a year, which is done by the meter man (or woman,) just to verify the readings.

I think I've explained before, you can also check your meter readings online, (apart from the 30 mins delay with gas, as you've mentioned).

It is obvious that eon didn't have a clue because they changed the original smart meters to a different type and they still only provide an approximation of the gas used in kWh an not M3.

The OP wants the freedom to switch to a better supplier but is stuck with the useless dumb meters fitted by eon.

System

Rubidium wrote: »

It is obvious that eon didn't have a clue because they changed the original smart meters to a different type and they still only provide an approximation of the gas used in kWh an not M3.

The OP wants the freedom to switch to a better supplier but is stuck with the useless dumb meters fitted by eon.

Some prior research would have helped avoid this situation. However, the Govt is now committed to finding a way of connecting these foundation meters on to the DCC by 2020 ( or if latest press reports are to be believed, replacing them with a SMETS2 compliant meter).

[Deleted User]

fredandwilma wrote: »

picks - Forgive me, but i don't understand your problem?

E.on have supplied you with another IHD which presumably is acceptable to them, but in any case, why do you need to keep taking meter readings, especially if you are staying with E.on?

Earlier this year I was considering switching from E.ON but it suddenly hit me that my existing smart meter would be useless after a switch. It didn't even have any way of displaying a meter reading which I was assured some other IHDs did have. To get around the problem I reached a settlement with E.ON whereby I temporarily agreed to stay with E.ON in return for them swapping my existing smart meter for a new smart meter which came with a new IHD showing meter readings. However, only after installation did I discover that the new IHD only shows electric readings in the correct units whereas (and unbeknown to me when I agreed the deal) the gas reading is not in the correct units for supplying consumer readings. Therefore, despite the meter change, I am still unable to consider switching suppliers when my deal with E.ON runs out because I cannot supply them with consumer readings. Yes I am registered on the Priority Services Register with E.ON but, without the necessary IHD, if I switch elsewhere how will my new supplier enable me to provide regular readings?

The purpose of the current thread is that I'm desperate to obtain some form of IHD which displays both electricity and gas readings in the correct units so that I am not locked into E.ON for ever. Is such an IHD available in the UK and, if so, please give me details.

[Deleted User]

Hengus wrote: »

Some prior research would have helped avoid this situation. However, the Govt is now committed to finding a way of connecting these foundation meters on to the DCC by 2020 ( or if latest press reports are to be believed, replacing them with a SMETS2 compliant meter).

I'm old enough to know that any goverment commitment to anything can be dropped at a moment's notice. You're telling me that I may have to put up with the scourge of estimated bills until around 2020 (or later if it suits the government to do a U-turn)?

I ask again: is there some form of IHD available now anywhere in the UK which I can consider installing that shows meter readings from a smart meter for gas and electricity in the correct units for passing to a supplier as a consumer reading?

System

Deleted_User wrote: »

I'm old enough to know that any goverment commitment to anything can be dropped at a moment's notice. You're telling me that I may have to put up with the scourge of estimated bills until around 2020 (or later if it suits the government to do a U-turn)?

I ask again: is there some form of IHD available now anywhere in the UK which I can consider installing that shows meter readings from a smart meter for gas and electricity in the correct units for passing to a supplier as a consumer reading?

You are covered. Suppliers are mandated by Ofgem to read your non-smart meter at least once every year so you will get an accurate bill once every 12 months.

[Deleted User]

Hengus wrote: »

You are covered. Suppliers are mandated by Ofgem to read your non-smart meter at least once every year so you will get an accurate bill once every 12 months.

When the meter people eventually arrive on their dinosaur they invariably can't get entry so just leave a card demanding a consumer reading. I'm not interested and want reasonable ability to read meters myself so I can keep track of energy use without the scourge of estimated bills month after month.

People elsewhere on this forum keep claiming they have technology available to enable them to view meter readings on some form of in house display independent of the kind of meter their energy supplier has installed. With the singular exception of EachPenny , who suggested an endoscope camera, everyone else seems reluctasnt to give details of their solution.