Meter readers, first time in many years

savers_united

Following on from a post on here recently (can't find it), having a chat with 2 mates at the footy the weekend and one had his meter read a fortnight ago and the other had a calling card posted to say they had called and will try again (He been waiting 3 months for a smart meter). 

Last time both had meters read was 6+ years ago, the guy reading the meter blamed the pandemic and the continued focus on smart meter roll out for the drop in visits to gather data. 

I guess as more properties have smart meters fitted the number of properties needing a visit reduces, so non smart meter properties could see more frequent visits.

Or as my mate saw it they are ensuring that meter readings are accurate ahead of a steep rise in prices. (Both were switched to a SoLR) 

[Deleted User]

I doubt that we are going to see a massive rise in meter reading visits given that the £6/year saving is included in the smart meter business case. You might be correct that the Administrators of failed suppliers may be trying to make sure that they get their dues. 

The requirement in SLCs is nothing more than a supplier obtaining a meter reading once every 12 months.

imeach

The pandemic only stopped Morrison Data Services for a couple of months in first lockdown, since then business as usual, whatever usual is.

The suppliers tell us what they want read and when, and there really is no pattern to it.
Some properties every quarter or less, some very rarely or never.
Definitely no rise in work due to price increases

Smart meters and prepayment still need a "visual inspection"

Verdigris

imeach said:

The pandemic only stopped Morrison Data Services for a couple of months in first lockdown, since then business as usual, whatever usual is.

The suppliers tell us what they want read and when, and there really is no pattern to it.
Some properties every quarter or less, some very rarely or never.
Definitely no rise in work due to price increases

Smart meters and prepayment still need a "visual inspection"

Well, I was on furlough for 6 months but agree with the comments above. Pre=pandemic I reckon I read/inspected nearly as many smart meters as dumb ones.

The meter reading companies just do what the suppliers ask.

SAC2334

I used to work for MDS , I dont now having retired a few years ago but my former workmates kept me in touch what was happening. The majority of my mates had approx 10 months on furlough , a paid holiday with only a few working throughout the first lockdown on business readsand specials work  .When they did return most would not go indoors and refused to knock on doors anyway and just stick to opening outside boxes .They have never had it so easy . There were no vaccines available and they were looking after their own health as much as their customers . Personally as an OAP I would nt have had anyone in my house mask or no mask 

Verdigris

I retired a couple of months after returning from furlough. I was well over retirement age, anyway. Bumped into an old colleague, a few weeks ago; he'd had Covid, was off for a month or more, and was still under the weather. Two people from the team have died. I think all the other oldsters, like me, jacked it in, too.

EssexHebridean

Something that only just occurred to me on seeing this thread is that while home visits to read meters seem to have mostly died a death (although of course with the increase in meters outside properties it may be that a lot of folk simply don't realise when it's happened) commercial reading seems to have continued as normal. It may be that there's a reason for this which I'm unaware of - a requirement to have external reads of commercial meters remaining when it's been dropped for resi ones perhaps. Our office meter gets read around once every six months. 

MattMattMattUK

Most energy suppliers now ask customers to submit readings twice a year (it is usually included in the terms and conditions) and occasionally verify that with a picture of the meter reading. 

Verdigris

while home visits to read meters seem to have mostly died a death

There were always more meters to read, than hours in the day, when I was still working.

SAC2334

Swipe said:

They have TV licensing fake calling cards to be delivered so are making money off that.

Please edit your post .They are not counterfeit , simply a hand delivered TV licence reminder 

Verdigris

MDS dropped that contract a few years ago.