Unable to book a smart meter installation

Richj73

Hi

I'm wondering if anyone can offer me some advice.

My energy supplier went bust in December and I've been moved to Shell.

I have a EV and have been looking for a supplier who can offer me a better rate with overnight charging.

Octopus have such a plan, but of course it requires a smart meter.

I've spoken to Shell about getting one installed and their booking system goes up to the end of October and they have no appointments available. I've also spoken to Octopus and they are saying the same thing.

What if anything can be done to get one installed?

Thanks for any advice in advance.

[Deleted User]

I think that you have your answer - patience.  With electricity prices so high, I guess more and more people have started to take a keen interest in their energy costs; hence, the increased demand for smart meters. The danger of switching suppliers on the back of a CS promise of a smart meter is that the promise is conveniently forgotten.

MattMattMattUK

Richj73 said:

Octopus have such a plan, but of course it requires a smart meter.

Phone Octopus, they will let you transfer in on the phone, but not online, move over to them, then get them to install the meter. 

Ultrasonic

MattMattMattUK said:

Richj73 said:

Octopus have such a plan, but of course it requires a smart meter.

Phone Octopus, they will let you transfer in on the phone, but not online, move over to them, then get them to install the meter. 

I believe the OP was saying they'd have the same wait till October for a smart meter to be fitted if they did switch to Octopus. From other posts here I'm guessing it may well be the same contractor installing smart meters in the region for all suppliers, and so there will be no fast-track option by switching.

Richj73

[Deleted User] said:

I think that you have your answer - patience.  With electricity prices so high, I guess more and more people have started to take a keen interest in their energy costs; hence, the increased demand for smart meters. The danger of switching suppliers on the back of a CS promise of a smart meter is that the promise is conveniently forgotten.

I've monitored my usage and know I would be a lot better off with a smart meter on a Octopus plan due to my EV. My point is because I can't get one installed I will be considerably worse off until at the very earliest October as I can't get one installed. Yet I hear over and over again on radio ads to get one installed.

Richj73

Thanks for the comments, it's not a problem with the plan I know I would be better off.

It's the problem with getting a smart meter installed.

Chrysalis

The meter engineer system is overloaded, had to wait 6 weeks from booking to get my smart meter installed, then over a month for a mere IHD replacement.  The demand is also likely regionally variable as well, I guess your region is especially bad.