Smart Meters and Separate Suppliers

dreamypuma

I'll shortly be looking to switch suppliers. Like many two separate providers seems to offer  better value for my usage. This brings me to my query.

I'm not opposed to smart meters, but as I am likely to have two different providers, do both traditional meters get switched over at the same time, by one "lead" provider? Or will the provider of each respective supply change over their relevant meter?

Finally, what impact does this have on the IHD (the one that will inevitably get thrown in a drawer, once the novelty wears thin)

MWT

The electricity meter will have to be done first, as that provides the connection to the DCC, and you'll get the IHD when that happens.

When that has been done your gas supplier can arrange to have the smart gas meter fitted.

dreamypuma

MWT said:

The electricity meter will have to be done first, as that provides the connection to the DCC, and you'll get the IHD when that happens.

When that has been done your gas supplier can arrange to have the smart gas meter fitted.

Thanks. So each provider installs their own meter. 

Has anyone actually been through this process? I'm guessing with the additional coordination required, this is probably less appealing to suppliers. 

brewerdave

Don't think the front end operators at the various Utility Cos. understand how smarts work. About 18 months ago ,my then gas supplier were making noises re fitting smart meter but when the actual installers rang, they were talking about replacing both meters. I told them I was with another supplier for leccy whereupon they immediately lost interest.

dreamypuma

brewerdave said:

Don't think the front end operators at the various Utility Cos. understand how smarts work. About 18 months ago ,my then gas supplier were making noises re fitting smart meter but when the actual installers rang, they were talking about replacing both meters. I told them I was with another supplier for leccy whereupon they immediately lost interest.

I wouldn't have an issue with one company managing the installation of both devices, so long as the readings were issued correctly, and tarriffs from the respective suppliers were applied. Is this managed centrally by the DCC?

[Deleted User]

dreamypuma said:

brewerdave said:

Don't think the front end operators at the various Utility Cos. understand how smarts work. About 18 months ago ,my then gas supplier were making noises re fitting smart meter but when the actual installers rang, they were talking about replacing both meters. I told them I was with another supplier for leccy whereupon they immediately lost interest.

I wouldn't have an issue with one company managing the installation of both devices, so long as the readings were issued correctly, and tarriffs from the respective suppliers were applied. Is this managed centrally by the DCC?

Meter installations are managed by suppliers. Suppliers are termed DCC Users and a key part of the meter commissioning or switching process is the transfer of tariff information to the smart meter. This very day, I have had both my SMETS2 meters replaced because of meter faults. My new electricity is online but my gas meter appears to have failed the DCC commissioning process. In your situation, I would pick a supplier like Octopus which has no exit fees and a good smart metering team, and get them to install both meters. Once the National Database is updated with the new meter information, then just switch away to any supplier/suppliers of your choice. The new supplier/s then take on responsibility for your smart meters.

SMETS2 meter readings are obtained from the DCC using what is known as an Adaptor ( a piece of software). Many suppliers have produced their own; others use a third-party such as TMA.

dreamypuma

Dolor said:

dreamypuma said:

brewerdave said:

Don't think the front end operators at the various Utility Cos. understand how smarts work. About 18 months ago ,my then gas supplier were making noises re fitting smart meter but when the actual installers rang, they were talking about replacing both meters. I told them I was with another supplier for leccy whereupon they immediately lost interest.

I wouldn't have an issue with one company managing the installation of both devices, so long as the readings were issued correctly, and tarriffs from the respective suppliers were applied. Is this managed centrally by the DCC?

Meter installations are managed by suppliers. Suppliers are termed DCC Users and a key part of the meter commissioning or switching process is the transfer of tariff information to the smart meter. This very day, I have had both my SMETS2 meters replaced because of meter faults. My new electricity is online but my gas meter appears to have failed the DCC commissioning process. In your situation, I would pick a supplier like Octopus which has no exit fees and a good smart metering team, and get them to install both meters. Once the National Database is updated with the new meter information, then just switch away to any supplier/suppliers of your choice. The new supplier/s then take on responsibility for your smart meters.

SMETS2 meter readings are obtained from the DCC using what is known as an Adaptor ( a piece of software). Many suppliers have produced their own; others use a third-party such as TMA.

Thanks. This seems a logical approach. Join a reliable dual fuel provider with no exit fees, get both meters exchanged, commissioned and registered. Then consider separate providers.

I'll take a look at Octopus. I guess they are going to be a short term pricey option, but I hear positive things about them.

My best value duel fuel providers (With no exit fees) are Avro, Green, OTM and BG. I'm assuming of these BG is the safest bet for a smart meter install.