EON Smart Meters

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

John_the_Boy wrote: »

Thanks Malc & oliverbrown :beer:

John_the_Boy wrote: »

Hi Malc,

Further question, I ended up trying to switch to your Fix 2 year V4 but right at the end hit the hurdle of arranging to have a smart meter installed. Explained that I didn't want one and was told you can't go on to the tariff then.

Could you confirm if I can also reject a smart meter on the Fix 2 year V4 and stay on the tariff or are the T&Cs different for this one?

Many thanks.

John_the_Boy wrote: »

I can but my other half is computer illiterate so I try and avoid online accounts as it would make things hard for her if anything happened to me. Still an option though and I have another month to run on my current tariff.

Hello John_the_Boy and happy to confirm the same applies to our Fix 2 Year v4 tariff as with Fix and Boiler Cover v24 (replaced today with v25).

As above, you don't have to accept smart meters if you don't want them. You only agree to be contacted about them. It's the same T&C (11.1) which says as follows.

With this tariff you agree to be contacted during the tariff term for the installation of a smart meter.

I'm sorry the advisor you spoke with didn't understand this. If you do decide to try phoning again rather than use the website, please quote the above T&C.

I understand what you say about your other half possibly struggling with an online account. Fix 2 Year v4 isn't an online tariff and we'll be happy to take readings (without smart meters), amend payment arrangements, raise bills etc over the phone if this makes things easier.

Thanks John_the_Boy.

Malc

Halifax_sux

Hi Malc of E.ON, many thanks for your informative and very interesting reply.


So fingers crossed then ...


Especially that you offer me another cheap tariff when my current one expiries in 12 months time.


And possibly even another few good deals after that too.


Wouldn't be much cheaper (i know the industry isn't paying for Smart Meters so i don't suppose this applies too much) if the software of the IHD's was updated to allow meter readings to be taken displayed indoors? The current IHD's must know those meter readings or they would not be able to produce the figures they currently provide.


Surely it would be a fairly simple matter to display the "raw" meter reading before those same figures are used in the various calculations they must be doing at present? Or would that be a far too simple and cheap solution?

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Greenenergy wrote: »

I have an open formal complaint with Eon about the wholy misleading messages that are sent out to customers stating that "When you signed up to your energy tariff you agreed to have smart meters fitted"...

I would encourage everyone to lodge formal complaints with Eon about this misleading wording.

These messages were sent to me both as SMS and email. The person who contacted me is currently investigating but they were still pushing me to get one . My complaint is solely about the misleading wording - Having this raised this initially months ago clearly Eon have an agenda to push these.

Hello Greenenergy and I'm sorry you're unhappy with the messages we've sent. You're right to raise a complaint.

As part of the resolution and if not already done, I'd ask the Complaint Manager to arrange for a opt out. This will stop contact about smart meters for a time.

Whilst we've a regulatory obligation to offer smart meters to all our customers, they're optional and you've the right to refuse them. We've also a duty to keep customers up to speed with significant developments like the new SMETS2 meters. Many customers chose not to have smart meters because of issues when changing supplier. These issues aren't there with SMETS2 and it's important we let customers know.

I totally accept there are some who won't change their mind. In these cases, customers can either ignore these messages or arrange with our Outcome Management team for either a temporary or long term opt-out. We still might need to be in touch at some point as per our obligations and when there are further significant developments; it's just that the timings of this contact will be adjusted.

I know this isn't the main part of your complaint. Thought it might help take away some of the irritation.

Thanks Greenenergy.

Malc

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

RuralDreams wrote: »

I have just cancelled planned installation of meter due to the fact Eon cannot guarantee which meter I would get. If/when I reschedule it will be dependent on whether or not they are able to guarantee SMET2 being installed

Hello RuralDreams and I'm sorry you had to cancel the appointment to fit a smart meter.

You've been told the right thing. At the moment, we can't guarantee if a smart meter will be SMETS1 or 2. Wherever possible, it'll be SMETS2.

There are certain situations where it's not possible to fit SMETS2 right now. It could be signalling issues or specific metering conditions that don't become apparent until a technician is on site.

According to the latest information I have, 90% of our smart meter installations are now SMETS2 and this is definitely the preferred option. Where SMETS2 can't be fitted, we'll offer to fit SMETS1 and then upgrade this later so it's managed in the same way as SMETS2. These upgrades will be done remotely so there's no need to re-visit a property.

I'm sorry we can't give you the guarantee you're looking for at the moment RuralDreams. As I say, wherever possible it will be SMETS2.

Malc

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Halifax_sux wrote: »

Hi Malc of E.ON, many thanks for your informative and very interesting reply.


So fingers crossed then ...


Especially that you offer me another cheap tariff when my current one expiries in 12 months time.


And possibly even another few good deals after that too.


Wouldn't be much cheaper (i know the industry isn't paying for Smart Meters so i don't suppose this applies too much) if the software of the IHD's was updated to allow meter readings to be taken displayed indoors? The current IHD's must know those meter readings or they would not be able to produce the figures they currently provide.


Surely it would be a fairly simple matter to display the "raw" meter reading before those same figures are used in the various calculations they must be doing at present? Or would that be a far too simple and cheap solution?

You're welcome Halifax_sux. Happy to help.

Once your switch has gone through, it might be an idea to have a chat with our smart teams. Depending on the circumstances at the property, it might be possible to put in SMETS2 meters with one of the new displays giving you the information you're after.

Just a thought. Certainly worth asking the question. As you say, we don't charge for these meter exchanges.

Malc

Kite2010

Oh look, another letter from EON demanding I have a smart meter fitted, quite forceful in wording. No I didn't agree to have a meter fitted, just to be contacted, and even though I've rejected said contact but still they can't get it into their head that I don't want a completely pointless "Smart" meter.


One key benefit having a little display, telling me that I'm using energy is as much benefit as the MPG display on my car, yes I know if I turn the kettle on it will use energy (likewise if I know I put my foot on the acceleration pedal I will use more fuel). Only benefit of Smart Meters is to the energy company as it will allow them to introduce peak time charges in the future

oliverbrown

Hi Malc,

It's good to see you are answering all questions raised here. I have a couple more.

On the smart meters you install, can the comms/transmitter module be physically removed from the meter for those who want it in traditional/dumb mode?

Also, on the quotation page, the smart meter wording for Fix Online is different to the other products. If they are identical in terms of smart meter terms, why is the wording different to Fix Online?

Halifax_sux

Kite2010 wrote: »

One key benefit having a little display, telling me that I'm using energy is as much benefit as the MPG display on my car, yes I know if I turn the kettle on it will use energy (likewise if I know I put my foot on the acceleration pedal I will use more fuel). Only benefit of Smart Meters is to the energy company as it will allow them to introduce peak time charges in the future

I have got to agree with Kite, it certainly is there raison d'etre. However, if they're going to do it anyway, at least give me my meters readings without getting cold and wet.
You'd think the industry would have thought that was a pretty good selling point for Smart Meters,


"Smart Meters, making your life easier", could have been the marketing slogan.


Your most welcome Regulator.

badmemory

Do any of these IHDs actually give the gas METER reading not how many KWH have been used? As we all should know by now this is not the same thing!

dreamypuma

So tomorrow morning I have a Smart Meter installation scheduled with EON.

After some chasing by EON, where I was advised that by subscribing to their Fix Online V8 tariff, I agreed to have a Smart Meter installed. I reluctantly agreed with the caveat that I'd only allow a SMETS 2 meter to be installed.

Firstly - I thought EON since altered the T&C's, to clarify that Installation wasn't mandatory, and we were only agreeing to be "contacted" about installation?

On reviewing the T&C's link provided at time of sign up, I no longer see anything about installation being mandatory.

Secondly, has anyone declined installation on their installation date due to the meter not being SMETS2 or as agreed for any reason? How did that pan out?

Finally, has anyone had an old EON Smart Meter upgraded or is this still pipe dreams?