Electric meter faulty - energy supplier wants to fit smart meters

chaotic_j

Hi,

Submitted meter readings last week, electric meter making a strange noise and realised the analogue disc has stopped spinning. Must be 40+ years old.

Called our energy supplier 'Octopus' who advise they want to change both electric and gas meters for smart meters - which we don't want.

They say that there is no option other than to have smart meters as this is all they have? They can 'turn off' the smart part of the meters. Is this true as I was under the impression it is the customers choice and refurbished meters should be available?

Also why would they replace the gas meter when it's working fine?

Many thanks,
chaotic_j

The_Fat_Controller

Why should any company keep refurbishing old technology ?
Mechanical meters are a thing of the past, get real !

Verdigris

Why pay a relatively high price for peak rate energy from Octopus and then cut yourself off from very cheap energy by not having a smart meter?

Hasbeen

chaotic_j said:

Hi,

Submitted meter readings last week, electric meter making a strange noise and realised the analogue disc has stopped spinning. Must be 40+ years old.

Called our energy supplier 'Octopus' who advise they want to change both electric and gas meters for smart meters - which we don't want.

Why? Do you not want to be up to date with newish technology?

They say that there is no option other than to have smart meters as this is all they have? They can 'turn off' the smart part of the meters. Is this true as I was under the impression it is the customers choice and refurbished meters should be available?

It is not the customers choice and why would they spent money refurbishing 40+ yrs old meters?

Also why would they replace the gas meter when it's working fine?

Because they will be there and it is more suitable to do both at the same time? Is it 40yrs old as well?

Many thanks,
chaotic_j

Get them fitted. You can still take manual readings and submit to check they are sending actual readings.

You also get an In House Display "IHD" which is entertaining to some.
All energy companies are pushing to install these as per GOV. uk

If you do not you run the risk/blackmail of getting uncompetitive quotes from future  providers. Unless you agree to installation.  

LOL: Sorry.    If you do not want them then get your quill pen out, and a piece of parchment/paper and write a letter of complaint to post at your local GPO. I believe you can do this for a Penny stamp?   

[Deleted User]

I believe when a meter has reached its End-of-Life, the supplier has the right to fit new meters which by default will be smart. That said, BEIS agreed in June that when a supplier still has a supply of old analogue or advanced meters these can be fitted on request; however, the supplier is permitted to raise a charge for doing so.

If you elect for dumb smart meters, then all three components will be fitted: that is, the gas and electricity meters and the comms hub. As the supplier has to monitor the correct functioning of these meters (ie; gas battery life), it is worth asking Octopus what they mean by a dumb smart meter.

PS I am pretty sure that no supplier will go to the bother of refurbishing old meters. It is not worth the time and effort. 

Telegraph_Sam

Having read no end of reports on people's experience with smart meters I just hope that my non-smart ones will function for many years to come.  Can the supplier insist on installing smarts, or do they have the option to replace like for like (i.e. dumb meters)?

[Deleted User]

Telegraph_Sam said:

Having read no end of reports on people's experience with smart meters I just hope that my non-smart ones will function for many years to come.  Can the supplier insist on installing smarts, or do they have the option to replace like for like (i.e. dumb meters)?

Perhaps a read of the post above might provide part of the answer that you are seeking. At the moment, suppliers cannot require you to accept a smart meter. Those that don’t will, I suspect, find themselves increasingly marginalised; for example, more expensive non smart tariffs. There is also the possibility when AltHAN is available for consumers in apartment blocks etc, that the Government’s mind might change re consumer choice.

Finally, do not believe all that you read on MSE. There are now in excess of 20M deployed smart meters. Yes, there are some ongoing issues but these are being addressed by suppliers.

Browntoa

Unless the rules have changed since I last looked they 

Cannot force you to have a smart meter

They cannot raise a charge to replace "end of life" meters with a non smart

Telegraph_Sam

I confess that this is the first time I have consulted this particular thread. Suffice to say that I have read sufficient horror (and not so horror) stories about people's experience with smarts that I would and will make a conscious effort to avoid them at least until the time comes when the technology is bug-free - and I have the option. Changing suppliers when with smarts seems to be a favourite source of hassle

[Deleted User]

Browntoa said:

They cannot raise a charge to replace "end of life" meters with a non smart

BEIS changed its position in June 2020. Supplier’s can make a charge when a meter is EoL and the consumer refuses to accept a smart meter.

From the BEIS Consultation

Quote: Moreover, as noted above, some energy suppliers are already making their most competitive tariffs contingent on a smart meter or have introduced a charge for installing a traditional meter where a consumer refuses the offer of a smart meter. We consider these are reasonable approaches that reflect the differences in the cost of serving smart and non-smart consumers. Unquote

Gerry1

Dolor said:

Browntoa said:

They cannot raise a charge to replace "end of life" meters with a non smart

BEIS changed its position in June 2020. Supplier’s can make a charge when a meter is EoL and the consumer refuses to accept a smart meter.

From the BEIS Consultation

Quote: Moreover, as noted above, some energy suppliers are already making their most competitive tariffs contingent on a smart meter or have introduced a charge for installing a traditional meter where a consumer refuses the offer of a smart meter. We consider these are reasonable approaches that reflect the differences in the cost of serving smart and non-smart consumers. Unquote

So much for all the promises from several Secretaries of State that smart meters would not be compulsory.  It was all lies right from the start.