SMETS2 - Smart Meter Models Recommended? and Switching between suppliers

BigBlueSky

I am aware that some of the SMETS1 meters were terrible and fiddly to take a manual meter reading.

Are the SMETS2 ones a lot better? - Are some make/models of meter better than others ?  I'm thinking of going for one but also shopping around for energy tariffs so the make/model being fitted by different suppliers may be a consideration too.

Also, once you have a SMETS2 meter installed is switching supplier on a regular basis straight forward - do the meters get updated quickly and easily without any issues ?

Thanks in advance

Skint_yet_Again

My dad had a SMETS2 fitted when he was with EON. Switched to Scottish Power & it has stopped working 

matelodave

https://www.smartme.co.uk/technical.html#gsc.tab=0

Have a look on here -a couple of pages down there are two tables - one showing the make&model no of SMETS2 meters and a second showing the same for SMETS 1 which are intended to be enrolled. You may need to trawl through manufacturer's literature to find out what they look like and in general you dont' get a choice when they get installed. You could ask your supplier or DNO what they use but I suspect it's not going to be easy to find out until the man arrives on your doorstep.

I'm guessing that unlike SMETS1 where the supplier was virtually tied into his data collection system which predicated a specific meter,  SMETS 2 meters are supposed to be interchangeable which would enable him to procure and fit whatever he wants or whatever is in the stores.

BigBlueSky

Skint_yet_Again said:

My dad had a SMETS2 fitted when he was with EON. Switched to Scottish Power & it has stopped working 

I was under the impression that the whole point of switches with SMETS2 meters were that they should be smooth and trouble free ? - Just wondering if this is the norm or more of a one-off.

BigBlueSky

matelodave said:

https://www.smartme.co.uk/technical.html#gsc.tab=0

Have a look on here -a couple of pages down there are two tables - one showing the make&model no of SMETS2 meters and a second showing the same for SMETS 1 which are intended to be enrolled. You may need to trawl through manufacturer's literature to find out what they look like and in general you dont' get a choice when they get installed. You could ask your supplier or DNO what they use but I suspect it's not going to be easy to find out until the man arrives on your doorstep.

Thanks - That is useful to know.  I will ask around and see.
If we have gas/electricity with two separate companies does that mean we have two separate IHD's ? - Or with the new SMETS2 meters, do would we just have the one ?

Highland76

I had smets2 meters installed through E.ON last Dec and I've just moved to EDF - they continue to work in full smart mode with EDF. I'll post some pictures later on.

BigBlueSky

Highland76 said:

I had smets2 meters installed through E.ON last Dec and I've just moved to EDF - they continue to work in full smart mode with EDF. I'll post some pictures later on.

Thanks - That would be great

Highland76

These are my smets2 meters installed by E.ON last Dec and which continue to work flawlessly with EDF:

BigBlueSky

Thanks - That electricity one especially looks to have a nice easy to read display.

Petriix

Do you have a particular reason for getting a smart meter? If not then don't. Every time someone fits a smart meter a fairy dies we all pay for it through our bills. There's zero benefit to you unless you want a specific tariff that requires a smart meter (such as Octopus Go or Agile).

BigBlueSky

Petriix said:

Do you have a particular reason for getting a smart meter? If not then don't. Every time someone fits a smart meter a fairy dies we all pay for it through our bills. There's zero benefit to you unless you want a specific tariff that requires a smart meter (such as Octopus Go or Agile).

It was mainly for two separate family members.  One has their meters tucked away in an awkward position (very hard to get to), and the other is elderly and has to have a meter reader visit every so often to read (which they are not that keen on).
It would be much better if the readings were taken automatically.  Although if there is a problem and they need to be manually read it would be good if the display on the actual smart meter was reasonably easy to read (unlike some of the SMETS1 meters which I believe had a very small display and not too clear).