Smart meters - meter readings and switching suppliers ?

crlong

Hello

Does anyone have a link to a website that explains when switching energy suppliers and a smart meter is installed:

1) Are the actual meter readings available, via some form of remote reading, to both old and new supplier to form an accurate final bill for old (company A) and "starting point" for new  (company  ?

2) Does the customer have any responsibility to "take" meter readings from a smart meter - at any time?

3) Is there a period between starting a new energy contract and switching suppliers? e.g. could I be contracted to new company "B" from say 28 February but only start paying company "B" from March 17 and be liable to energy payments to company "A" for the period between 28 February to March 17?

Regards,

Clive

MWT

#1 No, only the current supplier has direct access to the data on your meter, your new supplier will not get that access until they take over your supply. See #2 for more details...

#2 Your current supplier may ask you to take a reading if they are having problems remotely reading the meter, and you will need to provide a reading to your new supplier if you switch. That reading will be validated by the industry process and adjusted if necessary but with access to the smart meter readings for verification it should only be adjusted if it is taken before or after the day of the switch.

#3 You remain liable to pay your old supplier for energy used up to the day of the switch and your new supplier from that same day, When you agree to switch your new supplier will tell you when they will take payment from you and with most suppliers that first payment is likely to be in advance of your usage.

So yes, your switch date is likely to be after you agree to the new contract so there may be a period when you have contracts with both your old and new suppliers but you will never pay both for the same energy as the opening reading for the new supplier must be used as the closing reading for the old supplier, but you could end up making your first payment to the new supplier while you are still paying your old supplier due to the first payment being in advance.

MWT

Given your other post, I should add that the other time to supply a manual reading is when you first move into (or take control/ownership of) a property as you will need to register with the existing supplier to open an account and give them a meter reading before you attempt to switch to another supplier...

Robin9

@crlong It is also good practise for you to take monthly manual reads and keep your own records. Smart meters have been known to have battery problems and other wobblies.

niktheguru

Regardless of whether you have a smart meter or not it is always good practice to read your meter on the day (or a few days) before your switch so you can get the accurate closing/opening reading that will be used when switching providers (just in case the balls it up. Some providers will actively ask you for the reading, regardless of whether your meter is smart or not, and will then connect to your smart meter and continue reading it smartly)

When you "switch suppliers" you will still be paying company A (the current company) until the switch date (i.e when your supply gets moved over, NOT when you first apply for the switch), you will start paying for your energy to company B from the date your energy has switched to company B (though most suppliers now will take an advanced direct debit either on switch date or before this, to go into your account)

Like others have said, in your other thread you've talked about moving into a new property. When you move into a property it is YOUR responsibility to contact the existing supplier and give them your details. You will be owing them money for any energy used from the date you've exchanged contracts for the house (if buying the house) or from the date your rental agreement starts (if renting) and not necessarily the "day you move in". You can obviously switch to a provider of your choosing, but this usually takes more than 2 weeks, this 2 week period of energy use is owed to the EXISTING supplier, and not your new supplier, hence you will have to pay the existing supplier before your contract with the new supplier starts.

Hope that helps.

[Deleted User]

crlong said:

Hello

Does anyone have a link to a website that explains when switching energy suppliers and a smart meter is installed:

1) Are the actual meter readings available, via some form of remote reading, to both old and new supplier to form an accurate final bill for old (company A) and "starting point" for new  (company  ?

2) Does the customer have any responsibility to "take" meter readings from a smart meter - at any time?

3) Is there a period between starting a new energy contract and switching suppliers? e.g. could I be contracted to new company "B" from say 28 February but only start paying company "B" from March 17 and be liable to energy payments to company "A" for the period between 28 February to March 17?

Regards,

Clive

As indicated above, the switching process has not changed as only 50% of homes have smart meters. For security reasons, only the designated supplier can access your comms hub/meters. To do this, after switch, the new supplier has to send out their security certificates to each meter. This stops all other parties from accessing your meters and any data such as meter readings; 30 minute usage etc. Think of it like this. A man from Amazon arrives at your door with a parcel which you are expecting, so you accept it. Another man from Hermes arrives with a parcel that you are not expecting, so you reject it. This is how GCHQ layered security works.

On switch you are likely to be asked by the new supplier for readings. If you are not used to reading the meter, then be careful not to provide the wrong reading. For example, some gas meters also show usage in kWhs as well as volume: the supplier wants the latter. If in doubt, do nothing. The new supplier and its data collector will come up with an opening/closing reading. 

I know many people get very agitated when they get a Final Bill where the industry-estimated reading differs from what is on the meter. For example, the estimated electricity meter is 200 units higher than the meter so you end up overpaying your old supplier by £30 (assuming 15p/kWh). If this is the case, then you will only pay your old supplier the daily standing charge until your meter passes the opening reading. If, say, your new unit price is 18p/kWh then the actual cost difference to you is 200 times 3p or £6. This cost difference may actually work in your favour if your new price is higher, so think before you react.

If you are unhappy with the opening/closing reading, then contact your new supplier with a photo of the actual reading on your meter and ask them to agree a new closing reading with your old supplier. I should that my example is somewhat extreme: in most cases, the difference is but a few units.

Jim80

I moved suppliers and my new supplier cannot read my meter and I have to manually tell them the reading every so often.....
Maybe I can get it fixed, but its hardly any benefit having a smart reader, it is only as smart as me paying attention and changing my behaviour, which is already fairly good.

crlong

Thanks for all the detailed, clear and helpful comments. Much appreciated and a real help. *applause*

[Deleted User]

Jim80 said:

I moved suppliers and my new supplier cannot read my meter and I have to manually tell them the reading every so often.....
Maybe I can get it fixed, but its hardly any benefit having a smart reader, it is only as smart as me paying attention and changing my behaviour, which is already fairly good.

What make and model of smart meter do you have? 

Jim80

Dolor said:

What make and model of smart meter do you have? 

No idea and not bothered about looking
It was one of the earlier models, had a leak on the nipple of the old one found during boiler service and they swapped it out.