British Gas trying to deceive customers to have smart meters installed

nigelbb

I just received this from British Gas:-
"You're on one of our energy plans that needs smart meters, it was part of the agreement when you signed up. We've noticed you've still not upgraded yours. Installation is free and our Smart Energy Experts are upgrading meters in homes near you, so book yours today. If you've decided you don't want a smart meter, contact us and we'll talk to you about our other energy plans."

The only problem is that I specifically chose the "Energy and Home Services Jun 2021v2" tariff as it did not require me to get smart meters installed. I've raised a complaint. It's disgraceful that British Gas are trying to deceive customers like this.

NRGuser1

I've just had the same email from them and I have the 'Energy and Boiler Cover May 2021v4' and I ensured that it did not have a compulsory smart meter requirement before I signed up.

NRGuser1

I've just been onto BG via their live web chat and it looks like the emails have been sent in error so I can just ignore it.

Derick_R

I have received this B.Gas email this morning too.
I have kept all my correspondence and original T&Cs sent to me from when I switched to B.Gas for my Electricity and my Gas supplies. I can't find anything in the T&C which makes it compulsory for me to have smart meters. Here is the T&C sections regarding Smart Meters:

Smart meters

If you have smart meters and join us from another supplier you may lose some smart functionality for example, automatic meter readings, but your ability to switch supplier or tariff is unaffected. If you have British Gas smart meters we should automatically receive your meter readings but there are some occasions where this won’t work. If you already have smart meters you don’t need to book an appointment to arrange for new smart meters and you can stay on this tariff. If your smart meters don’t send us automatic meter readings, you’ll need to send us meter readings when we prompt you for them.  

However, B.Gas also refer to their general terms and conditions online which states you must send at least 2 sets of meter readings a year to remain within the contract rules Also in this  general terms and conditions section 24 to 30 seem to give B.Gas the rights to change the T&Cs at any time:

We can change the terms of your contract at any time, including prices and payment methods, unless we’ve agreed with you that we won’t. If we make a change to your contract and that change puts you at a disadvantage (including if we increase your prices), we’ll let you know at least 30 days beforehand. The change won’t affect you if you: • End your current contract with us and start a new one with us no later than 20 working days after the change, or • Arrange to switch supplier no later than 20 working days after the change, and the switch is completed in a reasonable time. If you owe us money for supplying gas or electricity, we’ll tell you if we’ve stopped you switching. If you pay within 30 working days of us contacting you, the change to your contract won’t affect you. If you don’t pay, you agree to accept the change.

So it could be you have 20 days to notify B.Gas you don't want a Smart Meter and you want to terminate the contract or they will either force you to take a smart meter or move you to another more expensive tariff..

nigelbb

I'm pretty sure the "We can change the terms of your contract at any time, including prices and payment methods, unless we’ve agreed with you that we won’t." is an unfair contract term under the Consumer Rights Act which goes on to state that an unfair term of a consumer contract is not binding on the consumer. How can a contract be fair to the consumer when the business reserves the right to totally change the contract T&Cs?

Highland76

nigelbb said:

I just received this from British Gas:-
"You're on one of our energy plans that needs smart meters, it was part of the agreement when you signed up. We've noticed you've still not upgraded yours. Installation is free and our Smart Energy Experts are upgrading meters in homes near you, so book yours today. If you've decided you don't want a smart meter, contact us and we'll talk to you about our other energy plans."

The only problem is that I specifically chose the "Energy and Home Services Jun 2021v2" tariff as it did not require me to get smart meters installed. I've raised a complaint. It's disgraceful that British Gas are trying to deceive customers like this.

Or maybe overcome your fears and get British Gas smart meters installed? As long as you don't believe that they give cancer, or some YTS trainee at BG will switch off your energy supplies just for giggles, or that they increase your energy bills x 100, you'll be fine with the latest gen smart meters. Seriously, they work just like normal meters.

nigelbb

Highland76 said:

nigelbb said:

I just received this from British Gas:-
"You're on one of our energy plans that needs smart meters, it was part of the agreement when you signed up. We've noticed you've still not upgraded yours. Installation is free and our Smart Energy Experts are upgrading meters in homes near you, so book yours today. If you've decided you don't want a smart meter, contact us and we'll talk to you about our other energy plans."

The only problem is that I specifically chose the "Energy and Home Services Jun 2021v2" tariff as it did not require me to get smart meters installed. I've raised a complaint. It's disgraceful that British Gas are trying to deceive customers like this.

Or maybe overcome your fears and get British Gas smart meters installed? As long as you don't believe that they give cancer, or some YTS trainee at BG will switch off your energy supplies just for giggles, or that they increase your energy bills x 100, you'll be fine with the latest gen smart meters. Seriously, they work just like normal meters.

I have no objection in principle to smart meters bu I simply don't want the disruption. The gas meter is in a laundry room right at the back of the house while the electric meter is by the front door. I suspect that there will be a problem with the gas meter talking to the electric meter as it's so far away. The last time British Gas scheduled a service for the boiler they cancelled at less than 24 hours notice after I had taken time off work & the next appointment was two months later. I don't see why I should be inconvenienced when a smart meter gives me absolutely no benefit. If they offered a cheaper tariff or paid a cash bonus if I agreed to have smart meters fitted that would be another matter.

koalakoala

I had the same email, and I chose  then because they didn't have the need for a smart meter

nigelbb

I submitted a complaint to British Gas regarding this deceitful attempt to get smart meters installed. I just had the reply that my complaint was closed as under the T&Cs for the “ Energy and Home Services Jul 2021v2“ tariff (copy attached) I was obliged to have smart meters. The only problem is that my tariff is “ Energy and Home Services Jun 2021v2” which does not mandate smart meters. I have submitted another complaint about this attempt to brush off my initial complaint. 

[Deleted User]

I keep getting told my meter is too far away that it won’t work. 

MalMonroe

A similar thing happened with me. I'm with E.ON - but switching very soon - and they recently sent me a text advising that I had agreed to have a smart meter when I joined them. I did no such thing and contacted them to tell them that I certainly did not agree to having a smart meter when I signed up with them and I still don't want one. 

Smart meters are not mandatory and you don't have to have one if you don't want one. 

Most energy companies now say that you won't necessarily get the best tariff deals if you don't have a smart meter but I just don't want one at the moment and I resent being bullied!