Changing supplier and leccy meter

Jax05

Hi.

Meter is getting changed from an economy 7 to standard on 24th August (Thursday week) but the current supplier (SSE) are not the cheapest so I'd like to change.

Do you think I could get the ball rolling with the change right now bearing in mind SSE are the ones changing the meter FOC. Obviously want to do it now as it takes a few weeks to switch supplier but don't want to jeopardise the timely manner and FOC meter change.

Cheers.

ASavvyBuyer

SSE are likely to cancel the meter change, if they are notified you are changing supplier.

Jax05

I thought that but I wonder how long it takes new supplier to make contact with current supplier?

ASavvyBuyer

Jax05 wrote: »

I thought that but I wonder how long it takes new supplier to make contact with current supplier?

Some do it within a couple of days, but a few will wait 14 days (cooling off period) before they contact the current supplier.

System

Jax05 wrote: »

I thought that but I wonder how long it takes new supplier to make contact with current supplier?

If the new supplier is signed up to 17 day switching then it will initiate the transfer of supply procedures almost immediately. The question that you need answered is 'how long will it take my new supplier to get the meter database updated'? You are asking for months of pain if the transfer goes wrong because you have tried to save a couple of £s by switching in the middle of a meter change. Updating the database should, I believe, take no more than 10 days but .........

EachPenny

Is that 10 days from the request, or from the date of the install?

I've encouraged a friend to go to E7 before switching supplier to a cheaper option. I've already said to wait a week after the meter is fitted before starting the switch, but is that enough? The new supplier would probably be Bristol, unless anything changes in the meantime.

System

EachPenny wrote: »

Is that 10 days from the request, or from the date of the install?

.

Given that many meter changes do not take place on the intended day then, logically, it would be 10 days from the date on which the actual meter change takes place. I confess that I am not sure how long a supplier has to exchange a meter on request from a consumer. Having said the above, this thread is sadly littered with posts from people complaining about the time that it takes suppliers to update the database. The only recourse then is a complaint.

This is what Malc from E.oN posted in January:

Quote

I'm sorry it's taking a long time to update your account following the meter exchange in December. To be honest, this isn't unusual. Depending on the circumstances, it can take several weeks before everything is sorted.

The meter operator for your area who did the exchange will have sent us the details via electronic messages. It can take a few days for the messages to come through depending on who the meter operator is. We then need to let a number of third parties know about the change. These include the energy distributors, meter readers and the national databases that record details of all the meters in the country. Usually, this is also done via a series of electronic messages.

I say usually because, if your gas comes through an Independent Gas Transporter (IGT), the updates are done manually. This adds to the time. The Christmas period will have also added to the delay.

Once all is through, you'll be able to set up a Direct Debit and use the online tools on our website. When you arranged for the meter exchange, did you pick a tariff from those available at the time? If you did, this will be the tariff you go on and it'll be back dated to the day the meters were exchanged.

Similarly with the billing. The technician would've sent us the closing readings from the old meter and the opening readings from the new meter. We'll base the billing on these. If this results in a debit balance, we'll be happy to look at spreading this over a more manageable period. If you go for a Monthly Direct Debit, we'll include the balance in the monthly payments. Alternatively, to stop a debit balance building, you can make payments to the account now. These will be offset against the bill once raised.

Unquote

The OP might be better off binning the planned meter exchange; switching suppliers, and agreeing a new tariff with a request to change the meter.

csnann

EachPenny wrote: »

Is that 10 days from the request, or from the date of the install?

I've encouraged a friend to go to E7 before switching supplier to a cheaper option. I've already said to wait a week after the meter is fitted before starting the switch, but is that enough? The new supplier would probably be Bristol, unless anything changes in the meantime.

It's 10 working days from the day SSE tells the relevant department to update the details.
I had my meter changed almost 3 weeks ago and was told it took 10 working days to update the meter register, I called Transco Metering Services this morning to check that the number had been updated but they knew nothing about it. I had to call SSE customer services, wait on hold for 20 minutes only to hear that they hadn't even started the update procedure!
I'd reccomend calling SSE a couple of days after the meter is changed to make sure they have actually updated the info.

Jax05

Blimey - thanks for the replies but this has raised some further questions.

Time between meter change and updating the meter database - what does that mean to me as a consumer? What rate am I paying? Surely not E7 as I won't have the meter. What can't I switch as soon as the meter is changed?

Thanks.

molerat

You will pay the rate for the tariff you have arranged with your supplier from the date the meter is changed, it just might take some time for it all to filter through but it will be backdated to the meter change date.

Your current supplier is responsible for updating all the agencies about the new meter and changing supplier before this is complete can often lead to complications. If the old supplier has not completed the serial number update on the database when your new supplier requests the serial number they will get incorrect information. Changing that serial number backdated to before they became responsible for your supply causes their computer system to blow a fuse !

Jax05

Thanks - yes did a bit of research since my last post so understand it better now. I've taken the plunge and moved from SSE to OVO (nearly went to SP but then read reviews and wasn't worth the extra savings).

Fingers crossed OVO switch goes smoothly. I will call SSE and cancel the meter change and stick with E7 for time being.

Good decision?