SSE email - old meter expiring

welshbabe88

I know there have been a few posts on this.
We are not really keen on a new smart meter - but if we opt for a 'dumb' one - do we still have to send in readings?
Looks like this is the next attempt to get us all to change - though our meter is 30 years old so not exactly new!
Also we are not currently letting anyone into our house anyway unless it was an emergency and still trying to isolate.

Neil_Jones

welshbabe88 said:

I know there have been a few posts on this.
We are not really keen on a new smart meter - but if we opt for a 'dumb' one - do we still have to send in readings?
Looks like this is the next attempt to get us all to change - though our meter is 30 years old so not exactly new!
Also we are not currently letting anyone into our house anyway unless it was an emergency and still trying to isolate.

Well if your existing dumb meter doesn't send readings now, what makes you think a new dumb one will?

Meters should be replaced on average every 20 years, but not unheard of for them to be floating around in properties long past that point, as I believe a lot of mechanical ones were just refurbished and pushed back out again, the certificate period is the key, not necessarily how long its been there.

[Deleted User]

If your meter has been deemed end-of-life ( and a 30 year old meter would probably sit in this category) then your supplier already has the legal right to enter your property to replace your meter. In such circumstances, the Govt (BEIS) has said that suppliers can fit smart meters without the consumer’s permission. Your supplier may agree to fit a smart meter with the communications hub disabled but these meters can be difficult to read - why, because they were designed to be meters that sent out data.

PS My wife was also in the shielded category for the last 13 months. We have taken the view that with CV19 cases so low at the moment, now is the time to get the boiler serviced etc. I can vouch for the fact that installers follow CV19 protocols; ie, mask, gloves, wipe down etc.

welshbabe88

Thanks Neil - yes, indeed, part of that question was 'dumb'!!    
Yes, agree Dolor that our meter is now getting old - so it gives them a good excuse to say we need to change.  I suppose the horror stories of people being overcharged etc has put us off bothering to change before now - but we knew the time would come.
We are lucky our boiler is outside so it was serviced outside in March but I wouldn't have anyone in.  We did have a plumber inside the back door for a leaky radiator - but thats all - don't think he had gloves and only one of those neck gaiters - but I was outside with the doors open and had a good blow through afterwards!