Are all Smart meters the same and can you change suppliers and keep the same Smart meter?

diystarter7

Being bombarded with messages from my supplier EDF. I vaguely recall hearing that not all Smart meters were compatible
with different suppliers.

Btw, do Smart meters cost any additional standing charge rates etc over the normal gas/electric meters?

Thanks

QrizB

If you have a smart meter fitted today it will be transferrable between suppliers.

Smart meters potentially give you access to cheaper tariffs. There are no extra charges.

diystarter7

QrizB said:

If you have a smart meter fitted today it will be transferrable between suppliers.

Smart meters potentially give you access to cheaper tariffs. There are no extra charges.

Thanks. Are you saying I was right and in the past not all Smart meters were interchangeable with other suppliers?

Why would some companies offer better/cheaper rates on Smart meters, please?

Verdigris

Why would some companies offer better/cheaper rates on Smart meters, please?

Because they have quotas to meet for fitting smart meters. It also costs them less to administer your account. They also get useful information, that can be agregated, to better balance the grid.

QrizB

diystarter7 said:

QrizB said:

If you have a smart meter fitted today it will be transferrable between suppliers.

Smart meters potentially give you access to cheaper tariffs. There are no extra charges.

Thanks. Are you saying I was right and in the past not all Smart meters were interchangeable with other suppliers?

Yes, some (not all) of the early smart meters were not transferrable to a new supplier. Those are suppposed to be being being upgraded / replaced eventually.
Verdigris has answered your other question.

Peter999_2

There are SMETS1 and SMETS2 meters.    SMETS1 was non-transferrable for a long time but SMETS2 could be transferred.

However, my parents and parents in law both have SMETS1 meters that became "dumb" when they changed suppliers.  However, in the last two months, both of the meters have suddenly started communicating with their new suppliers so it looks like finally they can be transferred.

[Deleted User]

Peter999_2 said:

There are SMETS1 and SMETS2 meters.    SMETS1 was non-transferrable for a long time but SMETS2 could be transferred.

However, my parents and parents in law both have SMETS1 meters that became "dumb" when they changed suppliers.  However, in the last two months, both of the meters have suddenly started communicating with their new suppliers so it looks like finally they can be transferred.

The Government instructed The DCC (the smart network provider) to develop an enrolment and adoption programme for all SMETS1 meters c.3 years ago. If a meter cannot be E and A’d onto the network then it has to be replaced. The programme has taken time because each meter manufacturer has had to develop and test the upgrade software.

[Deleted User]

diystarter7 said:

Why would some companies offer better/cheaper rates on Smart meters, please?

Smart meters form part of what is known as a Smart Grid. As more renewable power comes onto the Grid, it will become increasingly necessary to better match demand with supply. Smart meters have 4 registers each with 48 by 30 minute daily slots. A supplier can offer a tariff that is priced by each 30 minute period with higher prices at peak periods and lower (even negative prices) when supply outstrips demand (eg: Octopus Agile and Octopus Intelligent).
Many EVs; batteries; heat pumps and home appliances can now be programmed to make best use of the cheapest 30 minute periods. 

https://octopus.energy/intelligent-octopus/

Smart meters also have other built in monitoring; for example, the Grid voltage to your home. My smart meter was showing voltages in excess of 256volts. Getting my DNO to look at this data resulted in them agreeing to fit a voltage recorder just before Christmas. Earlier this week they reduced the base voltage to 240volts by ‘tapping’ my local transformer.

diystarter7

Many thanks all. Much easier and clear to understand you guys.
I am going for a smart meter it's a no brainer, thank you.

diystarter7

Update

I've just cancelled the rip off meter.

I bet you within a few years if not soon, just like forced water meters these will be forced on you.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/bills/article-10494535/Smart-meters-overhail-higher-peak-electricity-prices.html

QrizB

diystarter7 said:

Update
I've just cancelled the rip off meter.

That's your choice, at least until your meter needs replacing.