Can I be forced to have a smart meter?

Scot_39

dealhunter2025 said:

An engineer came to fit one he found that there is not enough space where the current meter is to install - part of the wall would need removing. This would incur additional costs to me, which I would prefer to avoid - therefore I ignore requests to install smart meters. Does anyone know if there are any schemes to have such costs covered to enable smart meter installation, or does this purely need to be covered by the house owner?

AFAIK its entirely up to the homeowner.  Seen others here quote their quotes from their own electricians.

If the height of the meter including the top mounted comms hub is the constraint -

have you tried to see if your supply will fit a smart meter with a cabled comms hub (to take a couple of inches of the height) if that would be enough.

The only supplier I've seen do so here was Octopus - but others might

One is referenced here

https://www.smartme.co.uk/smets-2.html

Kaifa FL-100 cable for that particular manufacturer - their not long cables - but could allow side by side if height the issue..

Not sure if other manufacturers / other suppliers support / fit though.

Ildhund

EssexHebridean said:

As a rule the actual SMETS2 meter itself won't be any larger than what was there before. 

I had a look to check this out. My own Aclara meter is 120mm wide x 117mm tall, so possibly a bit wider than many older devices. I think the only DCC-approved way of relocating the CH is by means of the Kaifa FL100 Flying Lead, which doesn't look that much less tall than the CH itself, but it might be enough in a tight spot. 

mmmmikey

dealhunter2025 said:

An engineer came to fit one he found that there is not enough space where the current meter is to install - part of the wall would need removing. This would incur additional costs to me, which I would prefer to avoid - therefore I ignore requests to install smart meters. Does anyone know if there are any schemes to have such costs covered to enable smart meter installation, or does this purely need to be covered by the house owner?

I know that at least one of the energy suppliers were offering cash incentives to customers to get a smart meter installed but don't recall who - maybe someone else could help with that? Maybe you could change provider to some such supplier as a first step? Although it's unlikely to cover the cost it will go some way to offsetting it. Also, many contributors to this forum have made enough savings by taking advantage of tariffs only available with smart meters in less than a year that would probably more than cover any costs you incur, so might be worth paying. Or possibly just hold out in the hope that as the roll out comes to an end there will be incentives for people in your situation?