Energy companies (or is it just EON) pushing installation of smart meters during lockdown

veryintrigued

Anyone else being barraged with text messages, emails and now phone calls from their energy company in lockdown?

Surely this can't be considered essential work or essential travel?

There used to be EON reps lurking on here.

[Deleted User]

I think that you will find that smart meter installations are now permitted during lockdowns:
Quote: Where people cannot work from home they should continue to travel to their workplace. This includes, but is not limited to, people who work in:

• critical national infrastructure
• construction
• manufacturing
• childcare or education
• essential public services

Unquote

if you disagree, then drop your MP a line. FWiW, I had my SMETS2 meters replaced last month (it’s a long story) but my wife and I were very happy with all the precautions taken by the installer. We are in the vulnerable/shielded category.

veryintrigued

If you consider fitting a smart meter is essential in the current times I think 'you'll find' you need to write yourself a letter @[Deleted User].

Staggering.

imeach

It's keeping people working too.
I'm sure there a lot of people who would really struggle on furlough again especially if there is no top up from 80%
If they are taking all precautions, can't really see a problem (open the floodgates)

veryintrigued

Bewildering.

Absolutely bewildering.

Little wonder we're in such a 'lockdown in name only' scenario.

Gerry1

imeach said:

It's keeping people working too.

Yeah, right.  It's really putting the fun into fun-erals. 

[Deleted User]

veryintrigued said:

If you consider fitting a smart meter is essential in the current times I think 'you'll find' you need to write yourself a letter @[Deleted User].

Staggering.

No one is forcing anybody to accept a smart meter installation in lock down but they are permitted as part of ‘critical national infrastructure’. My latest meters were installed when we were in Tier 2 with a very low infection rate. The installer did nothing more internally than walk 8 feet into the kitchen to purge the gas hob. All the other work was carried out externally. He complied fully with the safety procedures below:

https://www.shellenergy.co.uk/blog/post/smart-meter-installations-are-resuming-soon

veryintrigued

[Deleted User] said:

veryintrigued said:

If you consider fitting a smart meter is essential in the current times I think 'you'll find' you need to write yourself a letter @[Deleted User].

Staggering.

No one is forcing anybody to accept a smart meter installation in lock down but they are permitted as part of ‘critical national infrastructure’. My latest meters were installed when we were in Tier 2 with a very low infection rate. The installer did nothing more internally than walk 8 feet into the kitchen to purge the gas hob. All the other work was carried out externally. He complied fully with the safety procedures below:

https://www.shellenergy.co.uk/blog/post/smart-meter-installations-are-resuming-soon

Installing a meter isn't critical to anything. Let alone national infrastructure IMO.

Stepping into your house is only part of the risk.

The full supply chain, logistics and transport puts dozens of people at risk for something which can frankly wait.

That's my opinion.

Verdigris

Would it still be your opinion if it was your job on the line?

veryintrigued

Verdigris said:

Would it still be your opinion if it was your job on the line?

Yep.

Greater good. Selfless like that.

Furlough is designed for these scenarios.

You're suggesting Eon are doing this from a job protection angle?

If you are - you're being naiive.

[Deleted User]

Factoid:

Lockdown 2

In November, the number of smart meters installed per day was on average 17,148 per day and throughout the month 360,100 SMETS2 meters were installed. 

In comparison the March to June lockdown saw average daily installations of just 658 a significant plunge from the 17,362-average seen in February. The lowest daily figure during the first lockdown was just 323.