Smart meter hell

Maddy762

Last year I joined OVO energy and had a smart meter 1 installed. In March 2019, my fixed contract ended and I was moved onto a variable contract. I decided then to switch. I switched to EDF. During the switching process my smart meter stopped working and just showed 0. I was unable to provide EDF with any physical meter readings from my gas meter as the smart meter has blocked the dial and I can't move it.

I booked an appointment with EDF to come and fit a new smart meter that is compatible with them. An engineer attended the appointment but was unable to fit the meter as he did not have a ladder with him to reach my electrics box. After this, when I called to book a new appointment I was told I was not eligible and that previous appointment should have never been made.

After exhausting EDF's complaints procedure I was told I am not eligible and I must wait until my smart meter 1 has an update to make it compatible with other suppliers. There is no time scale for this. I was told I may leave them and they waved their exit fees due to the stress this was causing.

I have contacted other energy suppliers who have told me they would not be able to remove a 'compliant smart meter' to install the second generation and instead I must wait until the update takes place. They also reiterated there is no time scale for this.

This leaves me, I feel with no option but to switch back to OVO. Despite that it is going to cost me a lot more per month going with them, than several alternative providers. Is there any way out of this?

Benight

Reply removed having now read the user's other thread.

molerat

I suspect it was not the smart meter that stopped working but the IHD.

Maddy762

Benight wrote: »

Reply removed having now read the user's other thread.

Ehh...????

Maddy762

molerat wrote: »

I suspect it was not the smart meter that stopped working but the IHD.

Should I contact EDF and clarify whether they are still receiving my meter readings and it just doesn't show it on my home display?

Maddy762

Although I don’t think that is the case because I kept getting emails from EDF asking for meter readings and then an email saying I didn’t supply so they would be estimated...

Raxiel

Is the meter itself simply out of reach? Or is there a problem with it's display (forget about the remote display for now)?



If it's the latter, tell EDF you can't read your meter and ask them to send a meter reader to read it for you. If they succeed you can ask them how they did it. If they can't read it either, ask them to record it in their notes, and then raise a complaint with them that an un-readable meter is effectively faulty and you need them to provide you with a working one. You're not asking them to fit you with a smart meter to count against their quota (which is why they talked about 'eligibility' before), you're asking them for a repair.



If you don't get anywhere take it to the Ombudsman.

Maddy762

The issue is the smart meter installed by OVO is blocked the dial of the meter so without removing the smart meter as far as I can tell I can not read the meter reading. Would I be better doing this than switching back to OVO and having a functional smart meter again?

Carrot007

Maddy762 wrote: »

The issue is the smart meter installed by OVO is blocked the dial of the meter so without removing the smart meter as far as I can tell I can not read the meter reading. Would I be better doing this than switching back to OVO and having a functional smart meter again?

So your problem is entirely OVO. Andshould have been rectified before leaving them. It's going to be hard now, even if you switch back.


Why did you ever accept a stupid blocked meter setup like that?


And smart meters do not have dials, but I give you the benefit of the doubt here and assume you mean the display.


A photo may help (post broken link).

Maddy762

Thanks carrot I must have accepted it because I’m thick as sh*t I guess? Even more thick of me that I never bothered to check the meter readings after the installation of the smart meter because it was doing it for me. Lesson learned.

Why is it going to be hard now even if I switch back? If I have to get the ombudsman involved I will.

Carrot007

Maddy762 wrote: »

Why is it going to be hard now even if I switch back? If I have to get the ombudsman involved I will.

It could be argued that by letting the meter stay in that state and moved supplier that you accepted it was OK.


I am still unsure exactly what is blocking what. Hence the request for a picture.


OVO should sort it out as they created the problem. But like other suppliers they have still got to comply with the thankless task of fitting smart meters. You have one and wheather it works of not is not part of the metric suppliers have to meet. hence their reluctance to prioritise you.


OVO are a pain at the best of times. As such is why I think it will be a long drawn out process. Again I cannot fathom your problem so I can only go based on your little info.