Switching Energy suppliers

ianc1975

Despite what government ministers and Martin tells you on the TV, it would appear that switching energy suppliers is not as easy as you might think!

I have a new build property fitted with British Gas smart meters for both Gas and Electric. The house came with a British Gas standard dual fuel tariff when i moved in which i changed to the free energy Saturday March 2018 tariff. This has now expired.

I have been on Uswitch to change energy suppliers and have started the process of switching from British Gas to EON. I received an email last saying saying that I have been rejected because I have smart meters fitted!!! Eon will not accept customers with British Gas smart meters with serial numbers beginning Z15N. Apparently their systems are not compatible.

British Gas claim that this is nonsense and all I have to do is wait 7-10 days for a National meter database to be updated before I can switch.

EON state that they cannot accept anyone with British Gas smart meters and that British Gas need to replace them back to the old style meters!! Surely this cannot be right in this day and age? I thought we were all having to have smart meters fitted and this would be rolled out nationally?

I am getting conflicting information from both parties. Who is right? I've phoned the ombudsman and even they don't know.

I have seen other tariffs by Avro Energy and Outfox the Market but I am now reluctant to go through the switching process again in case I have a similar issue.

Anyone out there with similar experiences that can help please? many thanks.

System

ianc1975 wrote: »

Despite what government ministers and Martin tells you on the TV, it would appear that switching energy suppliers is not as easy as you might think!

I have a new build property fitted with British Gas smart meters for both Gas and Electric. The house came with a British Gas standard dual fuel tariff when i moved in which i changed to the free energy Saturday March 2018 tariff. This has now expired.

I have been on Uswitch to change energy suppliers and have started the process of switching from British Gas to EON. I received an email last saying saying that I have been rejected because I have smart meters fitted!!! Eon will not accept customers with British Gas smart meters with serial numbers beginning Z15N. Apparently their systems are not compatible.

British Gas claim that this is nonsense and all I have to do is wait 7-10 days for a National meter database to be updated before I can switch.

EON state that they cannot accept anyone with British Gas smart meters and that British Gas need to replace them back to the old style meters!! Surely this cannot be right in this day and age? I thought we were all having to have smart meters fitted and this would be rolled out nationally?

I am getting conflicting information from both parties. Who is right? I've phoned the ombudsman and even they don't know.

I have seen other tariffs by Avro Energy and Outfox the Market but I am now reluctant to go through the switching process again in case I have a similar issue.

Anyone out there with similar experiences that can help please? many thanks.

Smart meters should not be a bar to switching unless you are trying to switch to a tariff that requires a smart meter. If the meter goes 'dumb' you just have to read it manually. No doubt an E.oN rep can update re E.oN's policy; however, given that E.oN isn't the cheapest supplier, I would try a switch to another supplier.