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Can I be forced to have a smart meter?

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Comments

  • TimeLord1
    TimeLord1 Posts: 1,348 Forumite
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    edited 23 January at 10:29AM
    Who is in charge of this energy section? Does anyone know, or can you reply if you're running it? Anyway, what I want an answer to is links and images. What's allowed and not allowed because clearly I received a warning ⚠️ on trying to post  messages. 

     You can DM me if you don't want to be known or restrict certain information but in my opinion it wasn't political or false. Cheers!
  • TimeLord1
    TimeLord1 Posts: 1,348 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Savvy Shopper! Rampant Recycler
    @t0rt0ise
    .ue
    • Suppliers are receiving an increasing number of requests from Consumers to have Smart 
  • TimeLord1
    TimeLord1 Posts: 1,348 Forumite
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    edited 23 January at 10:43AM
    Can I also add, I currently have gas, electric, and water smart meters and I'm not opposed to it, just my opinion on them. Even though I think it shouldn't be forced on anyone causing them stress and worry.
  • QrizB
    QrizB Posts: 22,500 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 23 January at 11:03AM
    TimeLord1 said:
    Who is in charge of this energy section? 
    If you receive an official warning by DM, the DM includes contact details for the forum admins.
    If you received a warning by some other route, it's a new one on me!
    N. Hampshire, he/him. Octopus Intelligent Go elec & Tracker gas / Vodafone BB / iD mobile. Kirk Hill Co-op member.
    2.72kWp PV facing SSW installed Jan 2012. 11 x 247w panels, 3.6kw inverter. 35 MWh generated, long-term average 2.6 Os.
    Ofgem cap table, Ofgem cap explainer. Economy 7 cap explainer. Gas vs E7 vs peak elec heating costs, Best kettle!
  • QrizB
    QrizB Posts: 22,500 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 23 January at 11:10AM
    TimeLord1 said:
    @t0rt0ise
    .ue
    • Suppliers are receiving an increasing number of requests from Consumers to have Smart 
    That particular set of meeting minutes is illuminating. Thank you for digging them out.
    It  appears to confirmsm that, as of February 2024, there was no entitlement to have a smart meter installed in "dumb mode" and the advice from CAB to the contrary was incorrect, with CAB accepting that it was incorrect but not wanting to acknowledge that smart meters were de facto mandatory.
    The committee also noted that Ombudsman decisions that instructed suppliers to install dumb mode meters were contrary to Ofgem policy.
    The committee were asking Ofgem to change their policy. Do we know the outcome from their request?
    N. Hampshire, he/him. Octopus Intelligent Go elec & Tracker gas / Vodafone BB / iD mobile. Kirk Hill Co-op member.
    2.72kWp PV facing SSW installed Jan 2012. 11 x 247w panels, 3.6kw inverter. 35 MWh generated, long-term average 2.6 Os.
    Ofgem cap table, Ofgem cap explainer. Economy 7 cap explainer. Gas vs E7 vs peak elec heating costs, Best kettle!
  • TimeLord1
    TimeLord1 Posts: 1,348 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Savvy Shopper! Rampant Recycler
    QrizB said:
    TimeLord1 said:
    Who is in charge of this energy section? 
    If you receive an official warning by DM, the DM includes contact details for the forum admins.
    If you received a warning by some other route, it's a new one on me!
    Was a warning banner and a long winded email about legislation. I've also received DM warnings in the past about context that I can send.

    But without someone explaining it, it's the blind leading the blind.
  • TimeLord1
    TimeLord1 Posts: 1,348 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Savvy Shopper! Rampant Recycler
    edited 23 January at 11:24AM
    QrizB said:
    TimeLord1 said:
    @t0rt0ise
    .ue
    • Suppliers are receiving an increasing number of requests from consumers to have Smart 
    That particular set of meeting minutes is illuminating. Thank you for digging them out.
    It  appears to confirm that, as of February 2024, there was no entitlement to have a smart meter installed in "dumb mode," and the advice from CAB to the contrary was incorrect, with CAB accepting that it was incorrect but not wanting to acknowledge that smart meters were de facto mandatory.
    The committee also noted that Ombudsman decisions that instructed suppliers to install dumb mode meters were contrary to Ofgem policy.
    The committee were asking Ofgem to change their policy. Do we know the outcome from their request?
    But they still today have that exact information available informing people that they can for better word, request it switched off. I posted a screenshot earlier.

    Edit

    https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/your-energy-meter/getting-a-smart-meter-installed/
  • QrizB
    QrizB Posts: 22,500 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 23 January at 11:43AM
    TimeLord1 said:
    QrizB said:
    TimeLord1 said:
    @t0rt0ise
    .ue
    • Suppliers are receiving an increasing number of requests from consumers to have Smart 
    That particular set of meeting minutes is illuminating. Thank you for digging them out.
    It  appears to confirm that, as of February 2024, there was no entitlement to have a smart meter installed in "dumb mode," and the advice from CAB to the contrary was incorrect, with CAB accepting that it was incorrect but not wanting to acknowledge that smart meters were de facto mandatory.
    The committee also noted that Ombudsman decisions that instructed suppliers to install dumb mode meters were contrary to Ofgem policy.
    The committee were asking Ofgem to change their policy. Do we know the outcome from their request?
    But they still today have that exact information available informing people that they can for better word, request it switched off.
    And, presumably, it's still wrong?
    Unless there's something to say that Ofgem have changed their policy?
    Edit to add:
    The CAB wording from that link looks to have been very carefully chosen.
    You can ask your supplier to install your smart meter with the extra functionality switched off. This means it’ll work in the same way as your current meter, and won’t send any information to your supplier. Contact your supplier to check if they can do this.
    "You can ask" but there's nothing to suggest that your preference needs to be respected.
    "Contact your supplier to check if they can do this" acknowledges that, in practice, suppliers might be unable to do so.
    N. Hampshire, he/him. Octopus Intelligent Go elec & Tracker gas / Vodafone BB / iD mobile. Kirk Hill Co-op member.
    2.72kWp PV facing SSW installed Jan 2012. 11 x 247w panels, 3.6kw inverter. 35 MWh generated, long-term average 2.6 Os.
    Ofgem cap table, Ofgem cap explainer. Economy 7 cap explainer. Gas vs E7 vs peak elec heating costs, Best kettle!
  • t0rt0ise
    t0rt0ise Posts: 4,674 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    TimeLord1 said:
    @t0rt0ise
    .ue
    • Suppliers are receiving an increasing number of requests from Consumers to have Smart 
    It would be nice to see something a bit more recent. The below is interesting, found in the FAQs.

    "Smart metering will bring significant benefits to consumers and the wider energy system. Government expects energy suppliers to have processes in place to respond to concerns about smart metering, including providing information that may reassure consumers. Once installed, energy suppliers are required under their licence to take all reasonable steps to maintain the smart metering system, including the HAN and WAN. Ofgem is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with these licence conditions."
  • MattMattMattUK
    MattMattMattUK Posts: 12,757 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 23 January at 11:40AM
    TimeLord1 said:
    MattMattMattUK said:
    Dumb mode is the brain mode for those who believe conspiracy theories and try to block having a smart meter installed, nothing more.
    If you see the last link I posted, they clearly use it as a defunct meter not transmitting data
    (dumb mode)  But there the mention Citizen Advice is still mentioned today as having information on its page that you can ask for it's smart mode to be switched off. I don't think they like people being able to see it or believe they have an option.  Below is that suggestion. 
    There is no "they", people often mean "dumb mode" they think that they can have their smart meter made dumb and not communicate, they cannot. The Citizen's Advice website telling people that they can refuse a smart meter is not accurate, they have been pulled up on it multiple times but have not updated the information. That information is factually and legally inaccurate. 
    TimeLord1 said:
    Can I also add, I currently have gas, electric, and water smart meters and I'm not opposed to it, just my opinion on them. Even though I think it shouldn't be forced on anyone causing them stress and worry.
    Smart meters should be compulsory, not optional. Anyone who finds the concept of them stressful or worrying needs to speak to their GP.
    TimeLord1 said:
    QrizB said:
    TimeLord1 said:
    @t0rt0ise
    .ue
    • Suppliers are receiving an increasing number of requests from consumers to have Smart 
    That particular set of meeting minutes is illuminating. Thank you for digging them out.
    It  appears to confirm that, as of February 2024, there was no entitlement to have a smart meter installed in "dumb mode," and the advice from CAB to the contrary was incorrect, with CAB accepting that it was incorrect but not wanting to acknowledge that smart meters were de facto mandatory.
    The committee also noted that Ombudsman decisions that instructed suppliers to install dumb mode meters were contrary to Ofgem policy.
    The committee were asking Ofgem to change their policy. Do we know the outcome from their request?
    But they still today have that exact information available informing people that they can for better word, request it switched off. I posted a screenshot earlier.

    Edit

    https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/your-energy-meter/getting-a-smart-meter-installed/
    They do, it is still wrong, it is still not legally correct.
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