MSE News: 'We need to change your meter'...

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Gerry1 wrote: »

Oh dear, that's a really disappointing answer. And who is the colleague who does know?

There's a BIG difference between taking a simple reading at monthly intervals (e.g. October 10000kWh, Novermber 10250kWh) in exactly the same way that a human meter reader would, and a smart meter sneakily uploading a whole month's worth of half hourly data but at monthly intervals. All that copied boilerplate stuff seems to be an industry attempt to deceive us into believing it's the former when it's actually the latter.

It seems the smart meter really is the Spy Under The Stairs.

I hope that Malc or his colleague can prove me wrong.

Hello Gerry1 and the colleague concerned is our Data Protection Officer. Please see further down the post you quoted as below.

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

Hello jamesd and some of what you're asking is an area we're not involved with. I'll tell you what I know and also point you towards a colleague who will be happy to answer the questions I can't.

We collect readings from smart meters automatically on a monthly basis. More frequent collections are solely at the discretion of the customer. We can only take daily or half-hourly readings where the customer has given permission for this to happen.

All information and data stored on the meter is protected by security controls. It can only be accessed by authorised parties with the customer's consent or with licensed permission such as for retrieving meter readings. All accesses to the information are logged to include the identity of the person accessing it as well as the time and date.

With smart meters, data comes to us from the meter via the Data Communications Company (DCC). The sharing of this data with third parties like the Energy Distributors is controlled by our Data Protection Officer. They have overall responsibility for the way we collect and handle personal data. For more information please talk to our Data Protection Officer (contact details are on our website). There's also a lot more information about our Privacy Policy on the website.

Customers can request some or all of the personal data we hold for them at any time. This includes data taken from smart meters.

I'm certainly not aware of any schemes, tests etc to monitor household appliances through smart meters.

Hope this points you in the right direction jamesd.

Malc

As I mentioned yesterday, we collect readings from smart meters once a month unless the customer agrees to something more frequent. This is one reading (or set of readings for a multi-rate meter) taken on a set date each month. We don't take daily or half-hourly readings without the customer's permission.

We may also read a smart meter when prices change, the customer changes tariff, moves home or asks us to. The readings taken increase the accuracy of accounts and help stop estimated bills. The more readings we have, the greater this accuracy.

Sorry I wasn't clear before Gerry1 and have a good weekend.

Malc

passau91

Hi - I just called E.On as I had an issue that my previous supplier, Ebico, were still taking their direct debit although I switched to Eon on 7 November, so I was just checking what had happened about the meter reading etc. During the call representative said that they will be upgrading my electricity supply meter at the end of February to a smart meter. OK, it's not a problem as the meter is not in my flat, but controlled by the building management company in a cupboard on the floor. However, she said I would have to make arrangements with the building management and be present as they would also need to gain access to my flat. I said I'm not willing to do that (time off work etc.) At that point I said no. I'm not willing to change if I have to do anything. She then got shirty and said I'd have to allow it, otherwise I cannot be with Eon and they would have to terminate this tariff because it's in all their Terms & Conditions that to have supply from Eon, I have to take a smart meter when they offer it to me. Fine, throw me off the tariff, I'll get on to the Ombudsman. She then changed tack and said I'd be best taking it now whilst they offer it for free, otherwise I'll end up having to pay - "I'm not trying to push you away from being with Eon..." she said - REALLY????:mad:

So what is the situation - can Eon refuse to supply me on any tariff, or the one I'm on specifically (because nowhere do I remember seeing "You have to have a smart meter for this tariff" when I signed up to it through the MSE Cheap Energy Club). I'm really quite concerned now...

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

passau91 wrote: »

Hi - I just called E.On as I had an issue that my previous supplier, Ebico, were still taking their direct debit although I switched to Eon on 7 November, so I was just checking what had happened about the meter reading etc. During the call representative said that they will be upgrading my electricity supply meter at the end of February to a smart meter. OK, it's not a problem as the meter is not in my flat, but controlled by the building management company in a cupboard on the floor. However, she said I would have to make arrangements with the building management and be present as they would also need to gain access to my flat. I said I'm not willing to do that (time off work etc.) At that point I said no. I'm not willing to change if I have to do anything. She then got shirty and said I'd have to allow it, otherwise I cannot be with Eon and they would have to terminate this tariff because it's in all their Terms & Conditions that to have supply from Eon, I have to take a smart meter when they offer it to me. Fine, throw me off the tariff, I'll get on to the Ombudsman. She then changed tack and said I'd be best taking it now whilst they offer it for free, otherwise I'll end up having to pay - "I'm not trying to push you away from being with Eon..." she said - REALLY????:mad:

So what is the situation - can Eon refuse to supply me on any tariff, or the one I'm on specifically (because nowhere do I remember seeing "You have to have a smart meter for this tariff" when I signed up to it through the MSE Cheap Energy Club). I'm really quite concerned now...

Hello passau91 and I'm sorry you've been spoken to in this way. Please don't be concerned as this information isn't right.

As you switched last November, I suspect you're on a tariff where you've only agreed to be contacted about smart meters. This will be stated in section 11.1 of the T&Cs. Please let me know the actual tariff and I'll confirm definitely. If I'm right, you can refuse smart meters and stay on the tariff.

We've released some tariffs earlier this month with a different T&C. With these, customers agree to the installation of smart meters. Even with these, there's no way we would terminate a supply. It would just mean transferring to a tariff without this condition.

Hope this puts your mind at ease. Please let me know if you've any other concerns.

Malc

brewerdave

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

We've released some tariffs earlier this month with a different T&C. With these, customers agree to the installation of smart meters. Even with these, there's no way we would terminate a supply. It would just mean transferring to a tariff without this condition.

Hope this puts your mind at ease. Please let me know if you've any other concerns.

Malc

Malc'
What is the position if you have SMETS1 meters (or non functioning SMETS2)? Is it a condition of your "new" tariffs that they have to be replaced ??
I'm interested because another major Utility Co. have recently told my S-I-L (who has SMETS2 meters) that they will have to replace his meters in order for him to avail himself of their new tariff!!

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

brewerdave wrote: »

Malc'
What is the position if you have SMETS1 meters (or non functioning SMETS2)? Is it a condition of your "new" tariffs that they have to be replaced ??
I'm interested because another major Utility Co. have recently told my S-I-L (who has SMETS2 meters) that they will have to replace his meters in order for him to avail himself of their new tariff!!

Hello brewerdave and, at the moment, we wouldn't look to replace an existing smart meter.

In these cases, customers can still go on our new tariffs where smart meters are a condition of the tariff.

This is our position and I'm unable to comment on what other suppliers would do.

Hope this answers your question brewerdave. Please let me know if you need any more details as happy to help.

Malc

[Deleted User]

Bulb want me to change my meter for a smart meter. They are offering time slots Monday to Friday daytime. Ha ha sorry but I'm not taking a holiday from work just for some goon to turn up to install a meter which has zero benefit to me.

Electricfrog

I recently switched to EoN. Whilst comparing deals, I noticed that many suppliers were saying it was a condition of their tariff, to have a Smart Meter fitted. I do not wish to do that now, for all the reasons frequently discussed. So I specifically chose an EoN deal, after carefully going through ALL their virtual paperwork AND their website T&C's to check that it was not a requirement. Having now been with them a few months, I am being bombarded every few days with texts and e-mails, claiming that as I 'agreed' when I signed up, to have  a SM, I MUST make an appointment for fitting. 
So I re-checked every message I've had AND all their website again and I can find nowhere that I have agreed to have a SM. SO I am ignoring all of their SM comms.   
I accept that there is a push for us all to have SM's. I accept that suppliers will try to persuade. However, I am not happy with my supplier telling me I've agreed, when I clearly have not. That is not transparent, or fair.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Electricfrog said:

I recently switched to EoN. Whilst comparing deals, I noticed that many suppliers were saying it was a condition of their tariff, to have a Smart Meter fitted. I do not wish to do that now, for all the reasons frequently discussed. So I specifically chose an EoN deal, after carefully going through ALL their virtual paperwork AND their website T&C's to check that it was not a requirement. Having now been with them a few months, I am being bombarded every few days with texts and e-mails, claiming that as I 'agreed' when I signed up, to have  a SM, I MUST make an appointment for fitting. 
So I re-checked every message I've had AND all their website again and I can find nowhere that I have agreed to have a SM. SO I am ignoring all of their SM comms.   
I accept that there is a push for us all to have SM's. I accept that suppliers will try to persuade. However, I am not happy with my supplier telling me I've agreed, when I clearly have not. That is not transparent, or fair.

Hello Electricfrog and many thanks for joining us.

What tariff are you on? I suspect you're on one where the T&Cs (clause 11.1) say customers only agree to be contacted about smart meters. If this is the case, you're right to ignore the contact from us about having smart meters fitted. Customers on these tariffs can refuse offers to have them and stay on the tariff.

We launched some tariffs recently with a different T&C. These tariffs started to become available from 16 January 20 with more launched on 11 and 13 February 20. Here, smart meters are now a condition of the tariff for eligible properties. As you've been with us a few months, I'd say you're on a tariff with the earlier T&Cs and can ignore our messages.

Thanks again for switching to us Electricfrog.

Malc

michaelthomson

Like electrifrog i carefully selected an e.on tariff which did not demand installation of a smart meter (fix online exclusive v22 ( the version is critical) ) but was still bombarded with demands to install a meter. After much online chat they agreed I was right and they would mark my account accordingly. I then got a proforma letter with the alarming headline " We have a legal requirement to change your meter. Please contact us." This is even more threatening and alarming than their earlier variant. It is surely flouting the industry code of practice, and they are still doing it.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

michaelthomson said:

Like electrifrog i carefully selected an e.on tariff which did not demand installation of a smart meter (fix online exclusive v22 ( the version is critical) ) but was still bombarded with demands to install a meter. After much online chat they agreed I was right and they would mark my account accordingly. I then got a proforma letter with the alarming headline " We have a legal requirement to change your meter. Please contact us." This is even more threatening and alarming than their earlier variant. It is surely flouting the industry code of practice, and they are still doing it.

Hello michaelthomson and welcome to the Forums.

Happy to confirm, Fix Online Exclusive v22 has the T&C where you only agreed to be contacted about smart meters. You're free to turn these offers down and stay on the same tariff.

The other letter we've sent sounds like a statutory meter exchange is due. These are needed when meters reach the end of their guaranteed shelf life. It's important this work is done to make sure the meter continues to be safe and accurate. We'll offer to fit a smart meter if the property is eligible. This offer can be turned down and we'll fit an alternative.

As the letter says, we've a legal requirement to carry out these meter exchanges. If this is the case, please use the contact details on the letter to book an appointment.

Thanks michaelthomson.

Malc