Smart Meters

RitaC

I switched to British Gas a few years ago and had smart meters fitted which worked well for me.  I then switched to Avro Energy via the Cheap Energy Club and the meter didn't work.  I am now switching back to British Gas (via the Cheap Energy Club of course ! ) and am wondering if my smart meter will automatically work once the switch is complete or if British Gas have to do something to activate it it?  Anyone have any idea please?  Rita

Neil_Jones

I think what you actually mean is "your meter wasn't smart with Avro", not that it "didn't work".  It would have just become a normal dumb meter.

I believe if you go back to the home supplies your meter started on, it should go smart again,  If not, it'll just be like it was on Avro.

Gerry1

RitaC said:

I am now switching back to British Gas (via the Cheap Energy Club of course ! )

Could well be a big mistake.  The CEC doesn't show all suppliers (despite claiming to do so).  Similarly, it won't show any comparison results at all from from Avro if you are already an Avro customer, and presumably it won't alert you if a cheaper Avro tariff becomes available.

Check with Citizens Advice and Switch with Which? before your switch goes ahead, not forgetting to check whether separate suppliers are cheaper.

Vanguard11

I have a related but slightly different smart meter problem. I am with Shell Energy on a Dual Fuel tariff. In December I got smart meters installed. Electricity meter works ok, but gas meter has never gone smart. Apparently the problem is that the gas meter is too far away from electricity meter to communicate on standard 2.4Ghz frequency and I need to get the gas meter replaced with a dual band type with greater wireless range, which was being prototyped last year.   I have asked Shell when this will happen but get usual bog standard reply "we know we have a technical issue and we are working hard to resolve it - please be patient."    I am looking at switching supplier as there are some cheaper tariffs now available. My question is - if I switch supplier,  who is responsible for getting the gas meter to become smart? is it the new supplier, Shell Energy or SMS [which was the company Shell used as subcontractor for meter installation] ? Would I be better to stay with Shell energy until problem is fixed?   I would appreciate help from anyone out there who has had a similar experience

brewerdave

You may be waiting a long time for Shell to fix the issue. Their primary driver is to get the installations done - not get them working. So you might as well switch if it will save you money!!

Gerry1

Vanguard11 said: Would I be better to stay with Shell energy until problem is fixed?

Just switch to your preferred supplier, let the smart meters go dumb, and read the meters manually each month.  Why pay more to keep your shiny toy half working?

cnh237e

Smart meters - as a single occupant in my house what benefit will having a smart meter have? (Other than no longer having to provide meter readings). Fitting one will not lower my tariff nor will it turn any lights off that have been left on.
All I see is that it will use more energy powering the smart feature and the display.
At this point in 2121 when my current meter is up for renewal I fail to see a need for a smart meter in my house.
Over to you. Discuss.....

JJ_Egan

It has been well discussed .

Gerry1

There will be no benefit whasoever.  However, its specified Load Limiting and Load Shedding abilities can restrict your usage or disconnect you if there's insufficient generating capacity at peak times because ageing power stations have been shut down and not replaced.  It also stores a year's worth of usage at 30-minute intervals, and you may not be happy with how your private lifestyle can be analysed and monetised.

The Smart Meter Snoopers

EDF using Onzo

Delessex

When using your cheap energy club to find the best deal it would be VERY useful if there was a flag to indicate that smart meters are compulsory for the tariff shown (such as for British Gas) . Perhaps you could add it to the TARIFF FEATURES filter options?

nottsphil

Gerry1 said:

Vanguard11 said: Would I be better to stay with Shell energy until problem is fixed?

Just switch to your preferred supplier, let the smart meters go dumb, and read the meters manually each month.  Why pay more to keep your shiny toy half working?

Do Utilita allow you to do that, and if not, who pays for the necessary meter upgrade?