New Smart Meter with every supplier?

bonus2010

I’m just wondering if you already have a smart meter and move to a different supplier, is it normal that they want to install their own version of smart meter?

Utilita energy was appointed as my supplier by Ofgem when Our Power failed and I’ve received both repeated letters and emails from them since wanting to fit a smart meter and for me to make arrangements with them. They even say in their letter that they’ve been phoning me but haven’t managed to get in contact.

I’ve already switched gas from Utilita to ScottishPower and expecting the electricity supply to switch over next week so I’ll be ignoring this letter, but prior to all this when discussing something else on the phone with Utilita, I told them I had ScottishPower smart meters but I’m sure the national database will also be aware I’ve got smart meters that they have access to.

The reason why I’m asking is that if suppliers have been replacing smart meters every time we change energy provider that’s going to multiple the costs something terrible which bearing in mind, is passed on to all consumers in their bills.

Bark01

No.

It sounds like you have a Smets1 meter at the moment they can't be switched between suppliers and remain smart. However a system to fix this has its pilot launch in May. With the full roll out happening over the next 12 months or so, any meters that don't work after that will need to be switched to Smets2 meters by the end of 2020

From the end of march 2019 most meters being installed will be a Smets2 meter, this will work with any supplier.

MeterMan

You're right, its been a ridiculous policy of suppliers to change meters when there is already a smart meter installed. A huge waste of money and a huge waste of time, but the suppliers are acting on instructions from the government, Offer every customer a smart meter by 2020.

Your current meter is likely to only be compatible with the supplier that fitted it, hence why your new supplier wants to change it. If its a smet2 meter going in, then jump on, if not then I'd suggest you wait.

Another thread on here in the last few days has suggested that all smet1 meters will be cross supplier compatible in the 'smart' sense from the end of May.