Octopus have switched on my electric meter smart feature without my permission

Daisy_Blue

Hi I don't know if anyone has had a similar situation. When I moved into my house it was with Scottish Power and had smart meters. I changed supplier and the meters became dumb, which I was quite happy about. In September 2020 the electric meter display went and Shell Energy, who were my provider at the time arranged a replacement. I was very concerned that they would fit the 2nd generation smartmeter and I asked them to make sure that the smart feature would not be switched on. The fitter told me it was a second hand first generation meter. At first the smart feature was switched on, but eventually Shell Energy switched it off. Since then I've been providing both electric and gas readings.

I switched to Avro last year and within about a month they had gone bust and my account was transferred to Octopus. I gave them my September readings and also again on 30th November. When I received my statement last week I noticed that the electricity was showing smart meter readings. I contacted them by email and asked how this had happened and the smart feature turned back on without my permission. They are telling me that its in their terms and conditions and they won't switch it off! I've asked to see these t&cs that show they are allowed to switch the smart feature back on. They seem very determined that it won't happen.

I know obviously there are more serious pressing concerns at the moment with the price rises due, but would be interested to see if others have had the same issue and what they were able to do about it. 

FreeBear

Having a smart meter means you can access some of the tariffs that are a little more competitive. It also saves you having to submit meter readings on a regular basis.

So aside from your desire to communicate with the supplier each month, what is your objection to the meter becoming "smart" ?

[Deleted User]

There is technically no such thing as a dumb smart meter. Yes, early meters have gone dumb on the change of a supplier; however, these early smart meters are being enrolled onto the smart meter network. Once a smart meter is connected to the network it remains connected as the supplier has to be able to rollout meter firmware updates etc.  If you don’t want Octopus to use your smart meter readings then I am sure that it will be revert you to manual readings but I doubt that they will agree to turn the comms hub off.

Daisy_Blue

It's no bother to me to provide readings and yes I am concerned about the possibility that they will be able to switch off supply. 

MWT

This may help:

You can manage your data setting via your Octopus account online.

So if you do not consent to daily or half-hour readings you may turn it off there.

You do not have the right to refuse all the smart features.

emmajones1976

Daisy_Blue said:

It's no bother to me to provide readings and yes I am concerned about the possibility that they will be able to switch off supply. 

How many documented cases have there been so far in the UK of domestic load limiting? Loads, I assume? Links?

Astria

I think you'll find that most suppliers (including Octopus) have the right to enable communications to/from your smart meter for various reasons, such as your credit status, which tariff you are on, and so on. Typically they will only collect monthly readings from your smart meter. They only need your permission to enable daily reads or half-hourly reads.

You can find the T&Cs here: https://octopus.energy/policies/terms-and-conditions/

But note that some tariffs have additional T&Cs. You don't say which tariff you are on.

You may find that Shell energy did also have communicate with your meter - they just didn't collect the readings from the meter.

Daisy_Blue

emmajones1976 said:

Daisy_Blue said:

It's no bother to me to provide readings and yes I am concerned about the possibility that they will be able to switch off supply. 

How many documented cases have there been so far in the UK of domestic load limiting? Loads, I assume? Links?

As I said I am concerned about the possibility. I never said it has happened.

allison445

Same thing happened to me with British Gas but my issue was slightly different the meter readings they were receiving were not coming from my meter after a lot of faffing about were they wanted to replace it and me refusing they eventually made it dumb again.

emmajones1976

Daisy_Blue said:

emmajones1976 said:

Daisy_Blue said:

It's no bother to me to provide readings and yes I am concerned about the possibility that they will be able to switch off supply. 

How many documented cases have there been so far in the UK of domestic load limiting? Loads, I assume? Links?

As I said I am concerned about the possibility. I never said it has happened.

I am concerned about the possibility of nuclear war, doesnt mean its going to actually happen does it?

victor2

Daisy_Blue said:

emmajones1976 said:

Daisy_Blue said:

It's no bother to me to provide readings and yes I am concerned about the possibility that they will be able to switch off supply. 

How many documented cases have there been so far in the UK of domestic load limiting? Loads, I assume? Links?

As I said I am concerned about the possibility. I never said it has happened.

I am concerned about the possibility I might get struck by lightning. Must admit it's never happened to  me or anyone I know either though.