Getting a smart meter installed

textbook

I have just joined Ebico and I have to call them to give meter reading. The guy on the phone suggested a smart meter. Is it worth it? He said they'll install it for free

bengalknights

It's worth it for them, for you it won't make a difference other than potentially not being able to switch if other suppliers don't support it

spadoosh

It depends how much of an issue you calling them to submit your meter reading is. If its an issue for you it will be worth it, if its not an issue it wont be worth it.

ariba10

bengalknights wrote: »

It's worth it for them, for you it won't make a difference other than potentially not being able to switch if other suppliers don't support it

Scottish Power fitted a meter with me and I switched to another supplier. No problem at all.

The new supplier comes and reads the meter as and when they want to.

EachPenny

textbook wrote: »

I have just joined Ebico and I have to call them to give meter reading. The guy on the phone suggested a smart meter. Is it worth it? He said they'll install it for free

If you do think the benefits of having a smart meter are worth it (personal choice) then it would be best to wait a few months until the older SMETS1 type meters are no longer being installed. SMETS1 meters are more likely to cause you issues when switching than the newer SMETS2 type.

Keep checking back on the forum (there are several long-running threads on the subject) to see when (if?) the installation of SMETS1 meters finally stops.

('SMETS' is the jargon name used for the design standard for the meter)

Mister_G

bengalknights wrote: »

It's worth it for them, for you it won't make a difference other than potentially not being able to switch if other suppliers don't support it

All suppliers 'support' smart meters. It's just that the current SMETS1 meters go 'dumb' when you change supplier.

They still work as a normal meter.

The_Fat_Controller

Whatever you have, it's only a meter.
If it's smart, no more manual readings, if it goes dumb after a switch, it still calculates your usage but someone needs to read it.
You will also have brand new meters and your electric and gas will have a basic check for any safety issues.

Michaelw

Theres more information on the latest smart meters here including model numbers.

https://www.smartme.co.uk/technical.html

At this stage it would be worth checking with the supplier to which meter they would be installing.

badmemory

But if you like to check your own readings they are more difficult to read & many IHD do not display the unit reading for gas, so you can't use that.

badmemory

Michaelw wrote: »

At this stage it would be worth checking with the supplier to which meter they would be installing.

& get this in writing

tastyhog

bengalknights wrote: »

It's worth it for them, for you it won't make a difference other than potentially not being able to switch if other suppliers don't support it

pray tell us all what issue there will be to prevent you from switching suppliers if you have a smart meter