E.on Smart Meter Installation

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Smodlet wrote: »

So "Energy Plan" is Eon-speak for "Standard Tariff"? Thanks, Malc, I did not know that.

Spot on Smodlet. Energy Plan is our standard tariff that customers automatically default to if they don't choose one of our conditional tariffs. It's also the tariff those moving home default to where they don't contact us when taking over responsibility for the energy bills at a property.

Malc

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

bertiewhite wrote: »

When mine installed, I was told the daily/weekly/monthly total was exclusive of standing charge & VAT so it was only a rough indication of actual usage.

bertiewhite wrote: »

The meters are, just not the IHD's. Well, EON's aren't, anyway.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6072801/eon-smart-in-home-display

Hello bertiewhite and you're right. The smart meters themselves are accurate.

As Helena said in the linked post, it's best to rely on the meter for accuracy rather than the In Home Display (IHD). The IHD is more about raising awareness of the energy being used so customers can see if there are any possible savings to be made. Totally understand most MSE users are all over this. There are some customers not so vigilant and the IHDs can help them save money by saving energy.

We've also used various types of IHD over recent years and it depends on the make in question as to the data available. Some are certainly exclusive of VAT and daily standing charges.

Thanks for the feedback bertiewhite and have a good weekend.

Malc

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Smodlet wrote: »

So "smart meters" are not even accurate? Really what is the point of them? I would rather use a pencil and paper; oh wait, I do!

Smodlet wrote: »

So they are an even bigger waste of time, money and fossil fuels (guessing they are made largely of plastic) than I thought. It is high time this utterly useless government got a clue and stopped pushing the damned things until somebody, somewhere (probably Germany, maybe China?) has the first idea how to make them work properly... Ye gods, when is the last time this government did anything properly?

As above Smodlet. Smart meters are accurate.

The In Home Display (IHD) that comes with them is meant to be used as a guide. They're intended to help customers less savvy than a lot of MSE users better understand their energy usage so they can save money by saving energy.

There's more information about smart meters and IHDs on our website.

Have a good weekend Smodlet.

Malc

Smodlet

You too, Malc. I admit I have no idea how you have the patience to deal with all this day in, day out.

I wish you and Helena a peaceful Solstice and a Cool Yule.

EmDubs

So a little update here:

My other half has made numerous calls to E.on trying to find out what is going on. As I said previously for the past few years we’ve been paying the same amount each month and even ending up in credit.

We have never had an issue like this. Our habits haven’t changed and it’s not like we’ve all of a sudden overnight gained another person in the house who’s adding to the usage. They have said since October we have gone approx £2 over our Direct Debit each month so they will increase our monthly payment from £65 to £90 in January, even though they have now put us on the cheapest tariff available, which makes no sense whatsoever and nobody can give us a justified explanation as to why. It’s stressing us out completely to the point I’ve said to close our account and look for another provider as it’s simply not worth the upset.

All of this started because this meter was installed and I wouldn’t mind but it wasn’t even something we requested. Text message came through with date and time of installation, engineer installed it... PROBLEMS. (By the way he told us that everyone who goes onto the Smart Meter automatically get put on the cheapest tariff as an incentive or thank you for taking one.)

If my bill was a genuine and justified £90 a month then you know what? Take my money. But it isn’t and it never has been. And after this, I am certainly not paying E.on an estimated amount because the extra money is what they think I’m going to use for the rest of the year and then run the risk of having to fight to get it back when my usage is under that. Correct me if I’m wrong but I thought the whole point of Smart Meters and IHD’s is to stop estimates and allow clarity for both parties? All it’s done so far is cause stress and arguments!

Smodlet

EmDubs, I wonder if the extra £2 per month is the electricity required to power the smart meters... They don't tell you they use more than conventional ones, do they?

It sounds as if this engineer outright lied to you and my suggestion would be to raise a formal complaint and escalate until you receive compensation; in my case, I would also demand the removal of the damned things but that might be over ambitious. I would certainly want the difference between the cheapest tariff and what you have been charged refunded.

Some, not all, of the cheapest tariffs available require the installation of smart meters regardless of which provider you choose however, it is still possible to find competitive rates which do not require them. I mention this purely because I imagine this might be Eon's defence; that you misunderstood what their engineer said. I very much doubt you did misunderstand; I think you were deliberately misled because he could not be bothered to explain properly. He probably gets paid per installation and wanted to finish as fast as possible.

Good luck, HTH and please let us know how you get on. Just FYI, Bulb have been known to pay exit fees up to £60, give you a £50 incentive to join them if you use an existing customer's link (see the thread on here for that) and do not apply exit fees when you leave them. They might be an option to avoid being out of pocket.

To whom it may concern: I am not "touting"; I am with Eon, not Bulb so have no link to provide.

Gerry1

Smodlet wrote: »

EmDubs, I wonder if the extra £2 per month is the electricity required to power the smart meters... They don't tell you they use more than conventional ones, do they?

I think you'll find that the smart meter does not meter its own consumption. However, if you have an IHD plugged in to the mains it will be chargeable, although £2 per month seems unlikely: more like a fiver per year (if it hasn't ended up in a drawer by then).

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

EmDubs wrote: »

So a little update here:

My other half has made numerous calls to E.on trying to find out what is going on. As I said previously for the past few years we’ve been paying the same amount each month and even ending up in credit.

We have never had an issue like this. Our habits haven’t changed and it’s not like we’ve all of a sudden overnight gained another person in the house who’s adding to the usage. They have said since October we have gone approx £2 over our Direct Debit each month so they will increase our monthly payment from £65 to £90 in January, even though they have now put us on the cheapest tariff available, which makes no sense whatsoever and nobody can give us a justified explanation as to why. It’s stressing us out completely to the point I’ve said to close our account and look for another provider as it’s simply not worth the upset.

All of this started because this meter was installed and I wouldn’t mind but it wasn’t even something we requested. Text message came through with date and time of installation, engineer installed it... PROBLEMS. (By the way he told us that everyone who goes onto the Smart Meter automatically get put on the cheapest tariff as an incentive or thank you for taking one.)

If my bill was a genuine and justified £90 a month then you know what? Take my money. But it isn’t and it never has been. And after this, I am certainly not paying E.on an estimated amount because the extra money is what they think I’m going to use for the rest of the year and then run the risk of having to fight to get it back when my usage is under that. Correct me if I’m wrong but I thought the whole point of Smart Meters and IHD’s is to stop estimates and allow clarity for both parties? All it’s done so far is cause stress and arguments!

Hello EmDubs and many thanks for the additional information.

Technicians should not be talking about tariffs. As I mentioned last week, customers having smart meters installed don't automatically have their tariff switched. I'd encourage you to take Smodlet's advice and raise a formal complaint about this. We need to identify the technician in question so they can be re-briefed on their responsibilities. There's more information about how to raise complaints on our website.

Our payment arrangements are based on current prices and past usage. The aim is to achieve as near as possible to a zero balance by the annual review. There's an online tool, the Direct Debit Manager, that will give you more control over the arrangement. This includes being able to change the monthly payments to better suit different circumstances.

You might be happier with a Variable rather than a Monthly Direct Debit. These collect payment in full after every bill. As you've now smart meters, these bills will be based on accurate readings taken automatically from the meter. We'll put a message on each bill telling you when we'll take the payment. This is usually 10 to 14 days after the bill is issued. You won't lose out on the cheaper prices for paying this way as they apply to both Variable and Monthly Direct Debits.

Sorry again EmDubs that you were given such poor advice by our technician.

Malc

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Smodlet wrote: »

EmDubs, I wonder if the extra £2 per month is the electricity required to power the smart meters... They don't tell you they use more than conventional ones, do they?

It sounds as if this engineer outright lied to you and my suggestion would be to raise a formal complaint and escalate until you receive compensation; in my case, I would also demand the removal of the damned things but that might be over ambitious. I would certainly want the difference between the cheapest tariff and what you have been charged refunded.

Some, not all, of the cheapest tariffs available require the installation of smart meters regardless of which provider you choose however, it is still possible to find competitive rates which do not require them. I mention this purely because I imagine this might be Eon's defence; that you misunderstood what their engineer said. I very much doubt you did misunderstand; I think you were deliberately misled because he could not be bothered to explain properly. He probably gets paid per installation and wanted to finish as fast as possible.

Good luck, HTH and please let us know how you get on. Just FYI, Bulb have been known to pay exit fees up to £60, give you a £50 incentive to join them if you use an existing customer's link (see the thread on here for that) and do not apply exit fees when you leave them. They might be an option to avoid being out of pocket.

To whom it may concern: I am not "touting"; I am with Eon, not Bulb so have no link to provide.

Hello Smodlet and the cost of running smart meters varies depending on the set up at individual properties.

The electricity meter is mains powered and the gas meter is battery powered. On average, the cost is around 18 pence to 80 pence a year.

With EmDubs only recently changing tariff, I suspect it's to one of the Fix Online range. These tariffs only ask customers to agree to be contacted about smart meters. They can turn down our offers to install them and stay on the tariff.

As in my reply to EmDubs, I definitely agree a complaint should be raised. We need to investigate the circumstances behind this and make sure our technicians are consistently giving the right information.

Thanks Smodlet.

Malc

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Smodlet wrote: »

You too, Malc. I admit I have no idea how you have the patience to deal with all this day in, day out.

I wish you and Helena a peaceful Solstice and a Cool Yule.

Many thanks Smodlet. Helena's finished for the duration so I'm left to my own devices. I'll be sure to pass on your good wishes when she returns.

Season's greeting to you too. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. :xmassign:

Malc and Helena