Smart Meter

jack_tyler

Hi, I know this question has probably already been asked, but do you have to have a smart meter?


I have been getting repeat text messages recently from my energy supplier (EON) and emails too, asking me to contact them to make an appointment to book a smart meter fitting, as they are in my area. I really don't want one, and I have always been led to believe that I don't have to have one, but because I keep getting these texts and emails, its making me wonder that if I keep refusing, eventually will they force me into having one?


Any help is greatly appreciated

Browntoa

You don't have to get one .....

Gerry1

You don't have to have one.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/consumer-guide-understanding-energy-meters-ofgem/smart-meters-guide-your-rights

emc

Thisismoney.co.uk reports "Energy firms harrass reluctant customers and refuse to remove unwanted meters".

One reader was told they can't have their smart meter removed - even though they never gave permission for it to be installed.

Another reader has received a barrage of letters from her energy company, as customers have to contend with pushy energy companies thrusting endless marketing upon them.

AndyCF

One thing I did not see mentioned in the links is they -can- fit a replacement meter when the existing one expires as they do have a warranted lifespan although this is quite high. This part would be compulsory as far as I'm aware.

That would be the time to watch out for the replacement being a smart meter. If the supplier says its all they have, change supplier to one who will put 'in writing' the replacement will not be a smart meter (ideally ensure they say that it won't be a "smart meter with the comms hub disabled" or awol) if you're determined.

On fitting day ask to see the 'new' meter before they gain access to the old one, if tis a smart meter, apologise to the fitter/ engineer and send them away, show them the letter you got first though Then -immediately- ring and explain the situation politely but firmly, follow it up with a letter too asap. Reason for being nice to the fitter is its not their fault, they will simply have a worksheet with what to fit and where.

It is possible -just- to get a Smart changed for a normal legacy meter again (prepay at least) however it is difficult involving hoop jumping and it also costs to do this, likely a supplier change as well.

[Deleted User]

This could change quite soon in the near future.The huge mistake by the Tory Energy Minister to give occupants a choice in accepting one.
When I saw my first smart meters being installed by British Gas, they were mandatory as all meter exchanges, smart or dumb always were.
BG were installing them from 2009 in large numbers in the early days and I can t remember anyone making a fuss about them like they do now, at least on here.
.Everyone, to a man , just accepted the new meters because they had no choice.Like most of Europe have.No complaints, no fuss, no faux anger , everyone just accepted a new type of meter was being installed.
The new Tory Energy minister in 2012, surprisingly for a Tory, buckled under some tiny public pressure and mistakenly messed up the whole roll out with the ludicrous decision to give the occupiers a choice.
Hopefully Boris, who appears to possess common sense and has "grown an ever expanding pair " will order a change and make them mandatory..That is after he s got a decent majority in the forthcoming G.E.

brewerdave

Houbara wrote: »

This could change quite soon in the near future.The huge mistake by the Tory Energy Minister to give occupants a choice in accepting one.
Hopefully Boris, who appears to possess common sense and has "grown an ever expanding pair " will order a change and make them mandatory..That is after he s got a decent majority in the forthcoming G.E.

1. I think the chances of Boris having a "decent majority" are slim:rotfl:
2. No evidence that mandatory smart meters are high on anybody's agendas in the run up to a G.E - I think that any party/coalition in Govt. will have many more pressing matters to attend to !!

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Good morning jack tyler

Thank you for the info on the thread guys.:)

There has been a lot of talk around this subject and it's something Malc and I have raised.

You've agreed only to be contacted about smart meters. These offers can be turned down and you can stay on the tariff that you have chosen. You don't have to have the smart meters.

There's lot's more talk about it on this thread, if you'd like any more information.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4415605/eon-energy-reviews-give-your-feedback&page=70

Thank you

Helena

[Deleted User]

brewerdave wrote: »

1. I think the chances of Boris having a "decent majority" are slim:rotfl:
2. No evidence that mandatory smart meters are high on anybody's agendas in the run up to a G.E - I think that any party/coalition in Govt. will have many more pressing matters to attend to !!

You need to spend more time following political events and less time on the Energy Board if you think that the Tories under Boris Johnson are not going to absolutely trounce Labour at the forthcoming G.E...I speak from being a lifelong Labour voter who can t wait , like every Labour voter I personally speak to in Doncaster who will have their say at the ballot box, and we re certainly not going to put our cross next to Comrade Corbyns lot.
The flippant stupid decision by a Tory Energy Minister to give occupiers a say in what kind of meter is installed has to be revoked and very soon too. Its utterly ludicrous !
At the Tory conference yesterday Boris said the stop and search laws which were softened , will be reinstated . .Thats how quick things can be reversed.
I would like to hear from all you people on here who have made voracious anti smart "thou shall not pass "comments , what will you do when the decision is reversed and they re made mandatory ?
Are we going to see many Youtube vids of meter fitters with the Police and locksmiths in tow ? like we see when some people won t accept a prepayment meter to collect high debts ?

Browntoa

If you sign up for a tariff with them then there's no opt out on then "contacting/harassing" you by phone about getting one fitted .

I switched away to a supplier who don't have a mandatory " contact you"

Glandel

Browntoa wrote: »

If you sign up for a tariff with them then there's no opt out on then "contacting/harassing" you by phone about getting one fitted .

I switched away to a supplier who don't have a mandatory " contact you"

You didn't need to switch supplier, just transfer off the tariff that consented to you being contacted about getting a smart meter fitted.

Your smart meter rights - you CAN opt out

E.on has confirmed that none of its customers is required to get a smart meter. A spokesperson said: "To support our commitment to Ofgem to install smart meters for our customer base by 2020, we are currently reaching out to customers who have classic meters to replace them with a new self-reading smart meter.


"While smart meters are not compulsory, we firmly believe smart meters offer a number of significant benefits for customers, including bringing an end to estimated bills and the ability to gain a greater understanding of their energy use which can help them lower their energy consumption.
"If a customer receives this letter in the post and does not want a smart meter, the customers can choose to opt out from receiving future communications by speaking to one of our advisors [sic]."

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2018/01/we-need-to-change-your-meter-eon-gives-customers-the-hard-sell-on-smart-meters-but-you-can-opt-out/

Personally, if I had chosen (presumably beccuase it was the best tariff for us) an Eon tariff where I consented to being contacted about having a smart meter fitted, I would have allowed them one call.

If, from that call where, if I so expressed, I stated I was not interested in having a smart meter and so requested that I was did not wish to be contacted again (i.e. opt out) and was called again, then I would simply add the number used to call me to my BT Call Protect account.

Then they can call me as often as they like, as all calls from them will go to voicemail, and I will still benefit from being on the best tariff for me.

:money: