EON caught wrongly telling customers they NEED to

Michaelw

BIG SIX energy firm E.on is falsely sending letters and texts telling their customers they “need” to upgrade their gas and electricity meters to a smart meter.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/918388/EON-shambles-smart-meter-government-11m-scheme-OFGEM

nicobrum

Nice to see The Express quick on the uptake ... posted by MSE on here on 29 Jan - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5785383.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Michaelw wrote: »

BIG SIX energy firm E.on is falsely sending letters and texts telling their customers they “need” to upgrade their gas and electricity meters to a smart meter.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/918388/EON-shambles-smart-meter-government-11m-scheme-OFGEM

Morning Michaelw and as nicobrum says, this was covered a couple of weeks ago in the post linked to above. Thanks nicobrum. Thought it might help to go over some of the comments I made on that thread.

Smart Meters are definitely optional and customers can refuse any offer to have them installed. We do mention this on our website (smart meter pages). In line with our commitment to Ofgem, we'll be contacting all of our customers between now and 2020 to offer smart meters and to talk about the benefits of having them like the impact on estimated bills. This will be through various methods including by letter and text. As I say, these offers can be refused.

Thought I'd also mention, customers can let us know at any time if they don't want to continue receiving contact about our smart programme.

I've forwarded the relevant Forum threads and posts to senior management. I'll forward this one too.

Sorry for repeating previous comments.

Malc

System

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

Morning Michaelw and as nicobrum says, this was covered a couple of weeks ago in the post linked to above. Thanks nicobrum. Thought it might help to go over some of the comments I made on that thread.

Smart Meters are definitely optional and customers can refuse any offer to have them installed. We do mention this on our website (smart meter pages). In line with our commitment to Ofgem, we'll be contacting all of our customers between now and 2020 to offer smart meters and to talk about the benefits of having them like the impact on estimated bills. This will be through various methods including by letter and text. As I say, these offers can be refused.

Thought I'd also mention, customers can let us know at any time if they don't want to continue receiving contact about our smart programme.

I've forwarded the relevant Forum threads and posts to senior management. I'll forward this one too.

Sorry for repeating previous comments.

Malc

Malc - good morning. Rather than going round and round in circles on this matter, perhaps you would like to copy and paste changes to the letter that E.oN is now sending out inviting customers to accept a smart meter.

I suspect that nothing has been changed as there appear to be two separate agendas running here. In its response to the Helm Cost of Energy Review, Ofgem has just responded and sent along with its response a copy of its 2017/2018 WorkPlan which states:

Quote: Energy suppliers must aim to roll out smart meters to all of their domestic and small business customer by the end of 2020. Unquote

I would suggest that Ofgem's objective is markedly different from that set by Ministers. I say Ministers as Ofgem is a non- Ministerial Government Department in its own right.

House_Martin

Strictly speaking the word "need " is not an order or a directive , more of a suggestion.Like saying you "need " to stop smoking .They would have gone as close as possible in the advert without using a word which meant "obligatory "
Whatever Eon suggest with my property I don`t "need " an appalling cheap and nasty Secure Liberty meter in my property and Eon will not be installing a smart meter until they come to their senses and buy proper smart meters such as Landys Gyrs or Elster. They should not be insulting their customers with tat like Secure products.
As I am currently an Eon customer I will be most probably switching around for the next few years hopefully so their smart meter will quickly become dumb and I don`t fancy being lumbered with something which is a large backward step in metering. This is out of principle to the customers who I meet most days who can t make head or tail of this meter.
I thought Germans were supposed to be sensible and use better products than a £35 smart meter made for small businesses only in Udaipur India. Domestic properties in the UK never need the KVarh reading which the Secure meter shows on screen 5 . That alone is a recipe for a messed up reading

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hengus wrote: »

Malc - good morning. Rather than going round and round in circles on this matter, perhaps you would like to copy and paste changes to the letter that E.oN is now sending out inviting customers to accept a smart meter.

I suspect that nothing has been changed as there appear to be two separate agendas running here. In its response to the Helm Cost of Energy Review, Ofgem has just responded and sent along with its response a copy of its 2017/2018 WorkPlan which states:

Quote: Energy suppliers must aim to roll out smart meters to all of their domestic and small business customer by the end of 2020. Unquote

I would suggest that Ofgem's objective is markedly different from that set by Ministers. I say Ministers as Ofgem is a non- Ministerial Government Department in its own right.

To be honest Hengus, I haven't seen recent letters. I've just asked the area responsible for an update and will let you know more once they come back to me.

Malc

[Deleted User]

As we are all encouraged to look at switching suppliers every time we can, my priority is to get the best deal, not to arrange my house to suit the energy suppliers.

When ALL suppliers allowed to operate in the UK have smart meters that can be used by ALL other suppliers, I'll think about it. It is beyond belief that this is not already the case. Until then, no thanks.

WR

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Hengus wrote: »

Malc - good morning. Rather than going round and round in circles on this matter, perhaps you would like to copy and paste changes to the letter that E.oN is now sending out inviting customers to accept a smart meter.

I suspect that nothing has been changed as there appear to be two separate agendas running here. In its response to the Helm Cost of Energy Review, Ofgem has just responded and sent along with its response a copy of its 2017/2018 WorkPlan which states:

Quote: Energy suppliers must aim to roll out smart meters to all of their domestic and small business customer by the end of 2020. Unquote

I would suggest that Ofgem's objective is markedly different from that set by Ministers. I say Ministers as Ofgem is a non- Ministerial Government Department in its own right.

Hi Hengus,

I just wanted to let you know that Malc is off today, but he will update you as soon as he can.

Thank you

Helena

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hello Hengus and sorry this has dragged on.

I've just received confirmation that we've recently added new wording to our smart meter letters to make it clear to customers that they don't have to have these meters installed if they prefer not to.

We send two types of smart meter letter. One offers a smart meter upgrade and the second is where we need to carry out a statutory change as the current meter is nearing the end of its guaranteed lifespan. We're looking to have both types of letter updated with the new wording by the end of this month.

Sorry again for the delay Hengus.

Malc

FOREVER21

I have today received a letter from E-On saying my electric meter needs changing because of its age, they do say that a smart meter is an option. but not compulsory.
However something has gone wrong some where as my meter has a label showing ID as B04 followed by a number of digits. I looked up meter IDs and this seems to confirm my meter was recalibrated in 2004.
I wonder if when the meter was recalibrated in 2004 the company failed to update their records and the original ID which is indeed over 30 years ( this is the meter ID shown on my account.)

Malc I do not want a new meter nor if I am correct I don’t need one, can you advise what I can do ?

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

FOREVER21 wrote: »

I have today received a letter from E-On saying my electric meter needs changing because of its age, they do say that a smart meter is an option. but not compulsory.
However something has gone wrong some where as my meter has a label showing ID as B04 followed by a number of digits. I looked up meter IDs and this seems to confirm my meter was recalibrated in 2004.
I wonder if when the meter was recalibrated in 2004 the company failed to update their records and the original ID which is indeed over 30 years ( this is the meter ID shown on my account.)

Malc I do not want a new meter nor if I am correct I don’t need one, can you advise what I can do ?

Hello FOREVER21 and it's good you've received a letter making clear smart meters are optional. As above, we're looking to complete the roll out of the new wording by the end of this month.

Depending on the make, electricity meters are designed to last between 10 and 30 years. Once they reach the end of their guaranteed lifespan they need to be changed so we can be sure of their safety and accuracy. This is why it's important to carry out this work.

These jobs are looked after by the Meter Operator for the area. Although we may supply your home, we might not be the Meter Operator. If this is the case, you'll have received a letter with a contact phone number on.

These exchanges do need to happen but, as you're eligible for a smart meter, you can turn this down if you wish. If you do, we'll fit a classic/traditional meter instead.

Sorry I can't give you what you're asking for FOREVER21 but for reasons of safety and accuracy, it's really important these exchanges are done.

Malc