npower new smart meter install scare tactics

Carrot007

It's not really the companies fault here.


The government have forced ridiculous targets onto the installation and they will be fined. Not wanting one is not a valid getout for the companies to avoid fines as they are only allowed a certain percentage.

ValiantSon

badmemory wrote: »

I particularly liked (sorry I know you can't read the sarcasm) the current version of Gaz & Leccy smart meter advert that promises a 2% saving on bills! No point in complaining to the advertising standards agency, tried that, because I can't prove they are lying, makes you wonder who the ASA are working for.

That's an easy one to answer for you! They are working for the advertising industry: the ASA is a self-regulatory body.

https://www.asa.org.uk/about-asa-and-cap/about-regulation/about-the-asa-and-cap.html

ValiantSon

Carrot007 wrote: »

It's not really the companies fault here.


The government have forced ridiculous targets onto the installation and they will be fined. Not wanting one is not a valid getout for the companies to avoid fines as they are only allowed a certain percentage.

It is still the companies' fault for trying to trick people into having an installation that they don't want.

ossie

Just wait for SMET 2! Energy companies are trying to offload current stockpiled dumb smart meters before they bring out SMET 2
!

badmemory

ValiantSon wrote: »

That's an easy one to answer for you! They are working for the advertising industry: the ASA is a self-regulatory body.

https://www.asa.org.uk/about-asa-and-cap/about-regulation/about-the-asa-and-cap.html

Whoever they are working for it is certainly not in the ordinary person's best interests & also not in the interests of any advertising standards. Although using the words advertising & standards in the same sentence is bound to lead to serious misunderstandings.

ValiantSon

badmemory wrote: »

Whoever they are working for it is certainly not in the ordinary person's best interests & also not in the interests of any advertising standards. Although using the words advertising & standards in the same sentence is bound to lead to serious misunderstandings.

Yes, that was kind of my point.

Marvqn1

When do smart meters become compulsory so you need to have one installed?

Robisere

I have had EDF ask me if I want a Smart meter, about 3 times in the last 18 months. Not informed me that I have an appointment to fit one, just giving me the choice to refuse or accept. I refused each time and now I am officially on their 'refused list'.


No one with a recently new, working meter has to have a smart meter fitted and any energy company that tries to force the customer to have one, is breaking the law. However, if your meter is old, they can force you to accept a new smart meter. My gas and leccy meters are both less than 2 years old and EDF knew that.


I have posted here before that I simply do not need a smart meter: I take my own readings and transmit them to EDF via their excellent website. Anyone here trying to tell me that a smart meter will save me money, cannot prove that to be true. I change my tariff regularly when EDF come up with a new Fixed, paperless, online tariff and my current Dual Fuel DD is £74 a month.

brewerdave

Robisere wrote: »

No one with a recently new, working meter has to have a smart meter fitted and any energy company that tries to force the customer to have one, is breaking the law. However, if your meter is old, they can force you to accept a new smart meter. My gas and leccy meters are both less than 2 years old and EDF knew that.

They can force you to have a new meter - but you can tell them that you want the smart capabilities disabled.:)

buglawton

brewerdave wrote: »

They can force you to have a new meter - but you can tell them that you want the smart capabilities disabled.:)

So we can be clear, can you quote the info source where it says you must compulsorily accept an electronic SMETS1 meter?

Otherwise your post is just there to help the leccy companies do their silly box ticking exercise on behalf of badly thought out government instructions.