Failed Smart meter from Spark, not able to top up and no IHD

Nenathenoggin

First post for me so please be kind 😊 I moved into a property just before lockdown and inherited Spark energy as a supplier. A month or so back I ordered a smart meter as I though it would help me better budget my usage. The first appointment failed as the engineer just didn’t turn up and then lied about being at my house. I called Spark and after an hour they really arranged another appointment. The second engineer came last week and fitted the Liberty 100. He left and I realised I hadn’t been given an IHD so live chatted with Soark only to be told that they didn’t have any stock of the IHD and didn’t know when or if they would have more. So they put me in a waiting list!! I then realised last night that I have no means to see how much credit I have (as I adopted the pre payment style of paying also) I panicked and tried to buy electricity as per their instructions but it failed to go through. I tried the Swift app and the web site with mo success. (Although I checked and the money has been taken from my bank account!) I am terrified that I will lose power! I have tried to call them today and finally got through to an agent who said that the new smart meter is not communicating with them so she will have to raise it with the ‘smart’ team on Monday. She assured me I wouldn’t get cut off in the mean time. I am disabled, my daughter has a medical condition which is exacerbated by the cold and I have a tortoise that needs a uvb heat lamp! I am completely beside myself with this whole event. Had I known what I know now I wouldn’t have bothered!! Has anyone had a similar experience? Can I change supplier without being charged? Sorry about the long post! 😬

Gerry1

Welcome to the forum.

You need to leave Spark as soon as you can: their rates are eye-wateringly expensive.  It's likely that your estate or lettings agency has 'monetised' you.  They get a bonus for every 'victim' they sign up.

Prepayment is generally not a good idea because the rates will be even higher.  It's usually better to switch to a credit meter, pay by monthly direct debit and read the meter(s) frequently if you are worried about getting a big bill.  If you are worried about a credit check, read this MSE article.

Whoever you are with, if you switch to a credit meter make sure you send meter readings every month and check that your DD is keeping up with your usage, it's not All You Can Eat.

Nenathenoggin

Thank you. Can they charge me for leaving? I don’t believe I’ve signed anything..

Gerry1

You always need to register with incumbent supplier and send opening meter readings.  Make sure you get a new payment card or whatever card otherwise you may be paying off the debt of the previous occupier.  They can't charge you for leaving (unless you have signed up to a fixed duration tariff) but they can block you leaving if you owe them money (IIRC more than £500 per fuel).

Nenathenoggin

I don’t have any debt with them and I sorted the previous tenants debt when I moved in so there should be no issues. I don’t believe I have signed up to any fixed period but I will need to double check all the paperwork they sent me when I moved in. I need to sort out the faulty smart meter first though as it’s serving no purpose at all at the moment. It’s not communicating with either me or them!! Not very smart!
Thank you

Gerry1

Forget the smart meter shiny toy, it's just a completely irrelevant distraction.

It's far, far more important to find out the crippling cost of each kWh you are buying and the rip-off daily charges and switch to a more affordable tariff from a better company !

Keep records of the meter readings so that in time you will know your annual consumption accurately.

Robin9

Does the display wake up when you press button B

Nenathenoggin

yes, but when I please any other numbers at just says ‘not in use’ or default ??? The lady at Spark said it wasn’t communicating with them

Nenathenoggin

sorry I meant press*** not please 

Robin9

I wasn't bothered about it not communicating with them - if the screen is live you should be able to see the various rates, consumptions, credits it has.

Nenathenoggin

Ah ok I see. I looked at a few forums last night and pressed various numbers in the key pad but nothing seemed to show me my credit at all. Maybe I was looking at the wrong thing? Thank you for helping