Switching to First Utility with Smart Meter

pilotamx

Hi,

following general suggestions from Martin Lewis, I am considering to switch to First Utility that could save up to 175gbp/year. However, I have a couple of generic perplexities:

1. Is the smart meter exclusive for First Utility? Can I change after 1 year to another supplier or the smart meter keep me attached to First Utility?
2. What about if the smart meter cannot be installed in my property? (I have British Gas today and their smart meters have a lot of limitation if you live in a block of flats)
3. If during my contract I change my house and I 'move' my supply with First Utility to the new address, should I pay the exit fee?

Thanks!
S

D_M_E

1. First Utility install SMETS1 smart meters and this means that yes, you can switch but you will then have to read the meter manually yourself.

2. If the meter does not operate as a smart meter due to the design of your building or where the meter is placed, then you will have to read the thing yourself and submit readings manually.

3. Yes. A change of address constitutes a termination of your contract and First Utility are one of those suppliers which charge their standard exit fee of £30 per fuel for contract change for any reason before the end of contract or if you are not in the last 49 days of the contract

trickytree1963

1. FU use "Secure" brand Smart meter. They are compatible with some other providers , just need to give opening read upon leaving FU to new company and ask to do m a "COSGain"

pilotamx

Thanks for clarifications!
I tried to search online. It seems that no one is currently installing Smart Meter v2.
Which are the significant improvement, if any?
I understand the specification are different, but I cannot figure out if/where there are improvement for the end user.

S

House_Martin

trickytree1963 wrote: »

1. FU use "Secure" brand Smart meter. They are compatible with some other providers , just need to give opening read upon leaving FU to new company and ask to do m a "COSGain"

FU may have recently made the big mistake of switching to the Liberty Secure meters.Their early smart meters, and they were one of the first after BG, were all sensible Landis and Gyr smart electric meters which are OK with most suppliers.
Why on earth they hated their customers so much that they switched to the U.S, rubbish by Secure is beyond me. Probably because are cheaper !

System

pilotamx wrote: »

Thanks for clarifications!
I tried to search online. It seems that no one is currently installing Smart Meter v2.
Which are the significant improvement, if any?
I understand the specification are different, but I cannot figure out if/where there are improvement for the end user.

S

The main consumer benefit that SMETS2 meters will have is that they will connect to The Data Communications Company (a central hub) which will allow switching between all suppliers. The Govt has launched a consultative process that will require all suppliers to modify SMETS1 meters such that they can communicate with The DCC by 2020.