Switched to EDF who can't read my Smart meter

jeetster

I'm frustrated! I switch to EDF (from Eon) to save money and I chose EDF over cheaper suppliers as on the Energy comparison it says they supported Smart meters. However, I just had an email from them that they believe I have a SMETS 1 meter and not a SMETS 2 meter and so can't connect and take readings. Maybe I should have checked but I only had my smart meters put in about 18 months ago and so assumed it would be fine. Now I do have a smart meter device and this seems to give the electricity reading ok and so I don't need to do too much effort to read it. But for the Gas meter reading it gives it in KWH and m3 and so I'm still on my hands and knees for that one.
A couple of questions:
1. How can I validate whether I have a SMETs 1 or SMETS 2 meter?
2. Is it possible to upgrade?
3. I have an Eon Smart meter how do convert the KWH gas reading to m3?

Thanks

J

Robin9

Re 3 -  I think you mean the other way around - multiply the m3 by approx. 11.2  The meter reads in m3 and its that reading the supplier wants not the kwh

MWT

Robin, I think the OP is trying to use the kWh display on the IHD and convert back to m3...

#1 if it is 18 months old and they believe it is SMETS1 there is little reason to doubt them as SMETS2 installations didn't get going in any volume until early last year.

#2 Generally, no, as the stance is that SMETS1 will be upgraded via firmware and enrolled in the DCC at some point later this year. Probably not going to happen on schedule bu t for now at least, most suppliers will not upgrade and will choose to wait.

#3 Do not attempt to convert the kWh display to m3; although mathematically possible, obviously, it will be incorrect as the meter is using a static calorific value to calculate an approximation of the kWh, but it only actually measures in m3. Do dig into the menus on the IHD though as most can be persuaded to show the m3 reading. ... but for preference just read the meter, it may not be easy but it will be accurate.

jeetster

Cheers. Yes on #3 I'm reading the gas KWH reading on the device you plug in. Whereas on the meter itself you press 9 and it tickers through both m3 and then KWH. Will have another dig around in the menu's.

matelodave

The problem with trying to read kwh from a gas meter or from the IHD is they cannot accurately do the m3/kwh conversion. This is because it is a variable amount based on the calorific value of the gas when it's supplied together with a temperature and pressure adjustment. These will be shown on your bill when the supplier converts from m3 to kwh,and are usually different every month. Unfortunately without having access to that variable information the gas meter or IHD can only use a generalised constant guess factor (usually around 11.2 or 11.3). You must send in the m3 figure that's displayed on the meter itself. 

If you have checked and established that what the IHD shows is identical to the meter readings then you can use it for electricity kwh readings but not gas, only m3. However make sure because the gas meter feeds its reading through the leccy meter before it gets to the IHD and can often get corrupted.

When the meter is actually working in smart mode then reading are sent from the meters to the supplier, not via the IH. Most suppliers advise you to read the meter and not the IHD when sending in readings. 

helloevans

No sure if this has been resolved but I moved to EDF last year and they constantly tell me that I have a SMET1 gas meter hence they can't take the readings.  I told them I def have a SMET2 as I refused to have the SMET1 to avoid the problem I am having now. This has been going on for months. Then in December I got a bill that said for Gas - OUR READ.  Not YOUR READ or estimate. Thought hurray.  However not gone again and they have said its a SMET1. that is until I sent a photo of the meter with SMET2 all over it.  I was told they would reply to my complaint in 10 days. Tumble weed. Chased after a month and the complaint had been closed..... its not reopened. Got some bull story about why its not working and it will be sorted sometime in the future but there wasn't a timescale. She actually asked in her email if she could close the complaint. You can imagine my response.  NO.  Still waiting to hear - next step ombudsman and a move to another supplier.

MWT

helloevans said:

However not gone again and they have said its a SMET1. that is until I sent a photo of the meter with SMET2 all over it.  I was told they would reply to my complaint in 10 days.

Can you post the make and model of the meter, and preferably a photo?

For example L & G have an E470 smart meter that can be either SMETS1 or SMETS2 depending on the model. The model number is clearly printed on the meter, but you will not find SMETS1 or 2 printer anywhere...

niktheguru

You can always ask EDF if they will upgrade your smart meter from smets1 to smets2. I know octopus changeover smart meters, but that's usually if you want to go on one of their smart tariffs that require 30min readings. I had my British gas smets1 changed to smets2 last week.
Also, why don't you just switch to a cheaper provider then if EDF can't read your smart meter.....unless you've fixed and are now out of the grace period.

Swipe

EDF only bill twice yearly and will email just before the bill is due when it's time to send in your readings. So you'll only have to ever read it twice in one year. Probably not worth worrying about if the IHD is working fine.