Removal of Smart Meter

CFrog

A family friend has recently changed their energy supplier from SSE to Bristol Energy (BE). 

I'm not sure how long it has been installed but they have been told by the new supplier (BE) that the smart meter (installed by SSE) is obsolete and BE won't remove the (obsolete) smart meter.  They have been told it's not BE's responsibility and to get in touch with the former energy supplier to remove it.  

Has anyone come across this situation before?

Surely this situation is no different to that where a supplier encounters an 'old' meter at a house (where there's never been a smart meter installed) and they are obliged to fit a smart meter.  Aren't the suppliers being paid / subsidised by us to install these damned smart meters?

Any comments / advice ?

TIA

TadleyBaggie

Current supplier is responsible for the meter, whether it is dumb or smart.

QrizB

It's also not clear why your friend wants the smart meter removing? Are they on a smart-only tariff?

CFrog

QrizB said:

It's also not clear why your friend wants the smart meter removing? Are they on a smart-only tariff?

The new supplier (BE) said the installed smart meter is obsolete so will not use it for their own remote meter reading.  They want my friend to submit meter readings themselves.  For remote readings BE need their own smart meter installing but they won't remove the 'obsolete' smart meter installed by the previous supplier.  They are not on a smart only tariff.

brewerdave

Presumably your family friend has the early version (SMETS1) . Bristol Energy is now part of Together Energy ,who are ,quite frankly, useless !
Some of these early SMETS1 meters can be updated and adopted into the DCC (Data Communication Company) to allow them to be made smart again , but with the involvement of Together Energy ,I wouldn't hold my breath !!

Swipe

CFrog said:

QrizB said:

It's also not clear why your friend wants the smart meter removing? Are they on a smart-only tariff?

The new supplier (BE) said the installed smart meter is obsolete so will not use it for their own remote meter reading.  They want my friend to submit meter readings themselves.  For remote readings BE need their own smart meter installing but they won't remove the 'obsolete' smart meter installed by the previous supplier.  They are not on a smart only tariff.

I don't see a problem with that solution if they are not on a smart meter tariff.

mac.d

Nobody needs to remove anything, or even replace the meter. The meter is not obsolete, it's just no longer a smart meter, but a dumb meter that you need to take readings from manually to give your supplier.

CFrog

mac.d said:

Nobody needs to remove anything, or even replace the meter. The meter is not obsolete, it's just no longer a smart meter, but a dumb meter that you need to take readings from manually to give your supplier.

Many thanks for the responses.   I should have added that my friend is in her 80's and can no longer bend to access her meter and take the readings herself.  She's going to persevere with BE and (Together Energy or not) see where she can get !

Swipe

CFrog said:

mac.d said:

Nobody needs to remove anything, or even replace the meter. The meter is not obsolete, it's just no longer a smart meter, but a dumb meter that you need to take readings from manually to give your supplier.

Many thanks for the responses.   I should have added that my friend is in her 80's and can no longer bend to access her meter and take the readings herself.  She's going to persevere with BE and (Together Energy or not) see where she can get !

In that case, she should be able register for priority service with her energy supplier so someone can come out to read the meter for her periodically

greenguppie

QrizB said:

It's also not clear why your friend wants the smart meter removing? Are they on a smart-only tariff?

I don't recall Bristol Energy offering any smart meter only tariffs recently (if ever)

According to the BE website, it does warn those with existing smart meters that they may lose some smart functionality. It also says it will need a manual start reading in any event.
https://www.bristol-energy.co.uk/smart-meters/switching-with-a-smart-meter

mjm3346

brewerdave said:

Presumably your family friend has the early version (SMETS1) . Bristol Energy is now part of Together Energy ,who are ,quite frankly, useless !
Some of these early SMETS1 meters can be updated and adopted into the DCC (Data Communication Company) to allow them to be made smart again , but with the involvement of Together Energy ,I wouldn't hold my breath !!

That's being very kind to BE/Together Energy based on the radio 4 "your and yours" programme this lunchtime