Mandatory Smart Meter with British Gas

SaughallKen

Hi Folks, just had an email from British Gas telling me I must have a smart meter as it was part of the condition of my tariff - Energy Plus Boiler Cover March 2020. I can't see it in the conditions I have. Anyone any knowledge please. Thanks

unrecordings

I've been looking at some tariffs recently with that clause, the advertising also including something to the effect of 'you can change your mind about the smart meter afterwards' - so maybe try and go back to the original offer if you can and point out the mis-selling of the product

thorganby

SaughallKen wrote: »

Hi Folks, just had an email from British Gas telling me I must have a smart meter as it was part of the condition of my tariff - Energy Plus Boiler Cover March 2020. I can't see it in the conditions I have. Anyone any knowledge please. Thanks

You really need to visit an optician.

Yes you have agreed by taking this tariff.

Smart meters If you are eligible for smart meters and don’t already have them (either for both fuels or just one fuel), by signing up to this tariff you agree you’ll book a smart meter installation appointment within 3 months and be at home for the appointment by going to https://www.britishgas.co.uk/smart-home/smart-meters.html. When your booking is confirmed we’ll arrange for smart meter(s) to be installed for no extra charge (if your home does not already have smart meter(s)).

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/aem6/content/dam/britishgas/documents/tariffs/terms/EnergyPlusBoilerCoverMarch2020%20.pdf

unrecordings

So they've just agreed to the appointment, not the actual installation

Carrot007

Your choices are.


1. Different tarrif.


2. Have a smart meter.


3. The remote posibility that they try to fit the smart meter and cannot get a mobile signal and allow you to stay on the tarrif without one.


Your choice.

[Deleted User]

The meter fitters work at a snails pace nowadays and could well take almost a year to get round to visiting you and pressing your front door bell, which has just run out of battery.
By that time you will be ready for a switch away from BG..
When BG first started fitting smart meters back in 2009 they were fitting up to 15 a day with their meter fitters on a healthy bonus. I reckon they are down to between 1 to 4 a day now tops. its a very slow affair now with meter fitters spending more time driving than actually fitting them. The other suppliers are the same

Matty36

What's the issue with getting them installed? You've already paid for them with the incessant price increases over the years (even though they claim they're free)

RelievedSheff

Houbara wrote: »

The meter fitters work at a snails pace nowadays and could well take almost a year to get round to visiting you and pressing your front door bell, which has just run out of battery.
By that time you will be ready for a switch away from BG..
When BG first started fitting smart meters back in 2009 they were fitting up to 15 a day with their meter fitters on a healthy bonus. I reckon they are down to between 1 to 4 a day now tops. its a very slow affair now with meter fitters spending more time driving than actually fitting them. The other suppliers are the same

We found quite the opposite with EDF. We got an appointment within a couple of weeks of requesting the smart meter installation. The lady that came to fit the meters had already done three that day and had mine and another couple to fit that day.

The gas meter never worked on smart mind. But that didn't matter as we moved to a new build house shortly afterwards which had British Gas smart meters fitted so we switched suppliers.

nigelbb

Matty36 wrote: »

What's the issue with getting them installed? You've already paid for them with the incessant price increases over the years (even though they claim they're free)

Disruption, taking time off work etc for absolutely no benefit to me. I haven't heard one good reason why I should have a smart meter. My gas meter is in the downstairs loo in a little cupboard & the electricity meter in a little cupboard in the hall by the from door. It takes me all of a minute to take a photo of each with my smartphone. How would a smart meter benefit me?

RelievedSheff

nigelbb wrote: »

Disruption, taking time off work etc for absolutely no benefit to me. I haven't heard one good reason why I should have a smart meter. My gas meter is in the downstairs loo in a little cupboard & the electricity meter in a little cupboard in the hall by the from door. It takes me all of a minute to take a photo of each with my smartphone. How would a smart meter benefit me?

You won't have to take any more photos of your meters.

On a more serious note we have found that we are now more aware of what energy we are using and when and have been able to make several small changes that have saved us a few quid here and there. It might not be huge savings but it is all money in our pocket rather than the energy suppliers.

AndyCF

When I switched approx early last year with B.Gas from a credit meter (analogue dial type) to a prepayment one, the replacement meter was not a smart one. It was a regular card type meter.

I cannot recall if I asked for a smart or not, I suspect not. But I certainly do not recall them saying it would be.

The only boring fact here is the meter they did fit was well used, with a reading already on it, this might be quite normal. Reading as in total units not monies. Yes I made sure this was recorded correctly so I was not paying for the previous user of the meter.