Waiting for new Elec meter - so cannot switch supplier?

alexlyne

I noticed the meter wasn't going round back in January and immediately notified supplier. It took a couple of weeks for them to be convinced that the meter was broken, then in march was asked when I wanted it changed (with at least 4 weeks notice!). Of course, Covid then struck, and I was called in May to say that they hadn't forgotten about me. But nothing since then!  Now I'm up for contract renewal (or switch), but as I understand it, I cannot switch supplier because I presumably owe some money, but they don't know how much yet until the meter gets fixed and they need a month to get estimated usage (in winter too, yay) from what I've read here and elsewhere.

Firstly, I don't want to go to contractless, given the high default costs, so will have to sign up for their best fixed rate. Can I suggest that when I do that I shouldn't be penalised if I want to switch once the elec meter debacle is over (as they're effectively holding me to ransom until they get a move on with sorting out the meter). The 'best' rate they have doubles the elec standing charge. Can I ask to stay on my current charges (and be successful)?

Secondly, if I go quiet, then it could be that this goes on for more than a year from when I reported it. This could be in my best interest as backpayments can only be requested for up to 12mo?

Thirdly, somewhat unrelated, when I get a new meter, will a SMETS wotsit be installed by default?

Thanks

Al

Gerry1

Why not just start a switch to a new supplier and see whether it gets rejected by your existing supplier?  If so, ask for a deadlock letter straight away and then go to the Ombudsman upon receipt or after eight weeks.  If the switch goes through, just give the meter reading in the normal way: it's not your fault it's stuck, it's their problem to sort out not yours, and so far they've failed to do so.

If the mysterious third party changes your closing / opening reading, challenge it if it's more than 250kWh above what the meter says. Check back on your usage over the last few years and see what you might have used while the meter was stuck.  If the companies suggest using an estimate that's at this level or below then accept it, if not then ask for a deadlock letter and then go to the Ombudsman.

Don't accept any estimate based on anything unfair such as pro-rata on one month's usage on the new meter, because it won't reflect your summer usage.

Don't accept a smart meter if you don't want one: there are many conventional meters around that have been replaced.  Just make sure that you have photographic evidence of reading of the old meter when it's removed and the reading of the replacement meter when it's installed, and make sure the technician records them accurately on the label that will be attached to the meter.

alexlyne

Thank you for your input Gerry, much appreciated. You're right, nothing to lose by initiating a switch. I do notice a larger number of the better deals being dependent on accepting a smart meter, so done bbc avoidable for much longer...!

Gerry1

Many of the cheaper suppliers such as Neon Reef and Yorkshire Energy don't insist on smart meters; I can't think of any of them that do.

Just do a full market comparison starting with Citizens Advice and 'Switch with Which?'.