Unable to change suppliers until Bulb fix my smart meter?

purpleparrotuk

Hi. Can anyone please advise. I want to change energy suppliers. The problem is because my smart gas meter has not worked properly since the install (not connected to the network properly and have been told it needs a power cycle otherwise I will have to keep reading manually) if I change suppliers it will never be fixed. Apparently the new supplier is not allowed to commission or fix a meter another supplier has fitted. Is this correct? If so surely it is unfair I have to stick with Bulb and their price hikes and poor customer service unless I want to manually read the meter forever. 

Robin9

Your choice - Bulb service and prices v someone else's better service (perhaps) and a manual read of a meter once a month (which you ought to be doing anyway)

To my mind it's a no-brainer.

dogshome

The 'Owner' of the meter is your present supplier, but when you change to a different supplier, the 'Ownership' passes to them.

Whether or not a new supplier will accept you as a new customer with a 'Dumb' Smart meter is up to them, so ask.

As you can still supply accurate readings, I suspect the answer will be YES

purpleparrotuk

Thanks for the replies. But how will I ever get a fully working smart meter if I change? If I ever move house I’m sure the new owners wouldn’t be happy with a half working smart meter. All it’s needs is connecting to the network. 

Robin9

purpleparrotuk said:

............I’m sure the new owners wouldn’t be happy with a half working smart meter. All it’s needs is connecting to the network. 

That question won't appear in their top 10 or even top 100 

purpleparrotuk

I just want a fully working smart meter. 😔

matelodave

It would be nice if it worked as a smart meter but it's not essential (unless you make it so).The fact that it is not working in smart mode will not stop you from changing suppliers

Why pay more than you have to and get yourself all wound up when it still works a s a conventional meter - just like the one you had before. 

My smart meter stopped being smart when I changed suppliers some three years ago and I reckon it's saved me the best part of £600 by not worrying about whether it's smart or not.

Entirely up to you of course but don't expect a great deal of sympathy.