Smart Meters

pollyanna_26

Thank you for your helpful reply. I did consider phoning my energy supplier but wasn't sure if they dealt with such calls.
polly

DoggyWoofWoof

Log into your online account and untick email and phone for permitted forms of contact.

pollyanna_26

DoggyWoofWoof wrote: »

Log into your online account and untick email and phone for permitted forms of contact.

Thank you hopefully it will put an end to the phone calls. They haven't contacted by email but were banging on front doors here last night after 7'45pm yesterday after dark. I and others ignored them.
polly

hayley6896

Without wanting to repeat a question previously asked.
I attempted to submit my meter reading with Scottish Power this morning and was told my electricity meter is out of commission and I must have a new meter fitted. They only offer smart meters and they are to become mandatory by the end of 2019 and I have to have one fitted or they won't accept my meter readings.
Does anyone know if this is correct or can I still refuse to have a smart meter fitted?
Thanks

DaveBullock_

Our smart meter does the job for us - never had an issue with it and gives us a good idea of what we're spending. However, if you are a bit OCD like myself I always find myself looking at too often!

Overall though, very good from my experience

brewerdave

hayley6896 wrote: »

Without wanting to repeat a question previously asked.
I attempted to submit my meter reading with Scottish Power this morning and was told my electricity meter is out of commission and I must have a new meter fitted. They only offer smart meters and they are to become mandatory by the end of 2019 and I have to have one fitted or they won't accept my meter readings.
Does anyone know if this is correct or can I still refuse to have a smart meter fitted?
Thanks

Absolute baloney!! No mandatory date for smarts. They can insist on replacing your meter if it is "end of life" BUT until the change is arranged they will keep on using your old readings AND you can insist that the meter fitted is "dumbed down" ie doesn't send readings to the supplier!

Gerry1

hayley6896 wrote: »

They only offer smart meters and they are to become mandatory by the end of 2019 and I have to have one fitted or they won't accept my meter readings.
Does anyone know if this is correct or can I still refuse to have a smart meter fitted?

Ofgem confirms that smart meters are NOT becoming mandatory by the end of 2019.

However, some tariffs are only available to those who agree to have a smart meter installed. Read the written Ts & Cs very carefully because where they refer to smart meters it's often just an agreement to be contacted about them, not to have one installed.

Gerry1

hayley6896 wrote: »

I have to have one fitted or they won't accept my meter readings.

Do you have a meter with a Restricted Hours Tariff?

Michaelw

This is not surprising.The smart meter puts the supplier in complete control.

Smart meters are turning into debt collecting gadgets: Energy firms are making them 'pre-payment' remotely so customers have to buy credit before using electricity

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7504927/Smart-meters-turning-debt-collecting-gadgets-Energy-firms-making-pre-payment.html

Redboot

Michaelw wrote: »

This is not surprising.The smart meter puts the supplier in complete control.

Smart meters are turning into debt collecting gadgets: Energy firms are making them 'pre-payment' remotely so customers have to buy credit before using electricity ...

Only for those that don't pay their bills.

Not that many MSEers with credit meters get bills nowadays; the cheapest tariffs are usually those that expect a monthly payment by direct debit, and the customer receives only statements, unless they then fail to pay the monthly direct debit.

At least as the suppliers no longer need to go to court to obtain a warrant, those who are genuinely struggling to pay their debts are not hit with additional, expensive court fees.

Also probably better that the switch to prepayment is all done behind the scenes remotely, rather than have the embarrassment of bailiffs and locksmiths turning up, meters being changed, etc ... unless these people who are not paying their way have no shame at all.