Electricity meter "lifespan" before replacement due

doesntnotcompute

I've looked around and seen different figures for the life of meters depending on the type of meter (5 years, 10 years, ....), and then there seem to be people to this day with 30 year old etc meters getting replaced.

For instance my "dumb" key fob prepayment electricity meter is currently 11 years old, I'm wondering when it might be due for replacement - I've seen figures of 10 years for that type of meter, but then I've seen five years aswell, and also read of people having their meter for much much longer.

Is there any kind of a general rule of thumb?

Carrot007

A certification life is not a set thing and can be changed if required.

All non smart meters have been declared end of life so can be changed on a "recert" requirement (if possible).

New meters are probably all 10 years. The oldest traditional meters were 35 years but as I have said are now 0 years.

Of course it is up to the supplier to prioritise (or pay the fine (which will be added accross everyone's charges)).

brewerdave

My dial gas meter has a 1988 ticket on it !!!

Zandoni

I have tested many 60 year old gas meters and they are usually accurate, some were a little fast because they were made with leather diaphragms which dried out and shrunk when we stopped using coal gas.

doesntnotcompute

Flip a coin sounds like for a meter my age - wait that didn't come out right - a meter my meters age.

I wonder if suppliers would now maybe be prioritising smart meter installs over replacing meters "of a certain age" (or something) rather than replace them and possibly have to replace them again with a smart meter in the near future.

MWT

doesntnotcompute said:

Flip a coin sounds like for a meter my age - wait that didn't come out right - a meter my meters age.

I wonder if suppliers would now maybe be prioritising smart meter installs over replacing meters "of a certain age" (or something) rather than replace them and possibly have to replace them again with a smart meter in the near future.

Other than British Gas, the vast majority of suppliers stopped keeping 'dumb' meters in stock a while ago, pretty much all they have now are smart meters so it isn't even a choice.

Zandoni

MWT said:

doesntnotcompute said:

Flip a coin sounds like for a meter my age - wait that didn't come out right - a meter my meters age.

I wonder if suppliers would now maybe be prioritising smart meter installs over replacing meters "of a certain age" (or something) rather than replace them and possibly have to replace them again with a smart meter in the near future.

Other than British Gas, the vast majority of suppliers stopped keeping 'dumb' meters in stock a while ago, pretty much all they have now are smart meters so it isn't even a choice.

I thought that might be the case too, but only the other day I received a letter to say that my dumb meter has reached end of life and it will be replaced next March, it strangely stated that it will not be a smart meter.

MWT

Zandoni said:

MWT said:

doesntnotcompute said:

Flip a coin sounds like for a meter my age - wait that didn't come out right - a meter my meters age.

I wonder if suppliers would now maybe be prioritising smart meter installs over replacing meters "of a certain age" (or something) rather than replace them and possibly have to replace them again with a smart meter in the near future.

Other than British Gas, the vast majority of suppliers stopped keeping 'dumb' meters in stock a while ago, pretty much all they have now are smart meters so it isn't even a choice.

I thought that might be the case too, but only the other day I received a letter to say that my dumb meter has reached end of life and it will be replaced next March, it strangely stated that it will not be a smart meter.

It is possible that you are in a known 'dead zone' for the signal which might prompt them to not even try a smart meter install.

Zandoni

MWT said:

Zandoni said:

MWT said:

doesntnotcompute said:

Flip a coin sounds like for a meter my age - wait that didn't come out right - a meter my meters age.

I wonder if suppliers would now maybe be prioritising smart meter installs over replacing meters "of a certain age" (or something) rather than replace them and possibly have to replace them again with a smart meter in the near future.

Other than British Gas, the vast majority of suppliers stopped keeping 'dumb' meters in stock a while ago, pretty much all they have now are smart meters so it isn't even a choice.

I thought that might be the case too, but only the other day I received a letter to say that my dumb meter has reached end of life and it will be replaced next March, it strangely stated that it will not be a smart meter.

It is possible that you are in a known 'dead zone' for the signal which might prompt them to not even try a smart meter install.

My neighbours have them.

brewerdave

Zandoni said:

MWT said:

doesntnotcompute said:

Flip a coin sounds like for a meter my age - wait that didn't come out right - a meter my meters age.

I wonder if suppliers would now maybe be prioritising smart meter installs over replacing meters "of a certain age" (or something) rather than replace them and possibly have to replace them again with a smart meter in the near future.

Other than British Gas, the vast majority of suppliers stopped keeping 'dumb' meters in stock a while ago, pretty much all they have now are smart meters so it isn't even a choice.

I thought that might be the case too, but only the other day I received a letter to say that my dumb meter has reached end of life and it will be replaced next March, it strangely stated that it will not be a smart meter.

Next March ? I knew that the suppliers were struggling with offering appointments but still ........

Zandoni

brewerdave said:

Zandoni said:

MWT said:

doesntnotcompute said:

Flip a coin sounds like for a meter my age - wait that didn't come out right - a meter my meters age.

I wonder if suppliers would now maybe be prioritising smart meter installs over replacing meters "of a certain age" (or something) rather than replace them and possibly have to replace them again with a smart meter in the near future.

Other than British Gas, the vast majority of suppliers stopped keeping 'dumb' meters in stock a while ago, pretty much all they have now are smart meters so it isn't even a choice.

I thought that might be the case too, but only the other day I received a letter to say that my dumb meter has reached end of life and it will be replaced next March, it strangely stated that it will not be a smart meter.

Next March ? I knew that the suppliers were struggling with offering appointments but still ........

Yes they gave me a 3 day period, hopefully they’ll give me more information when the day gets closer.