Octopus Energy - Smart Meter Installation in Scotland?

SJMALBA

Has anyone had smart meters installed through Octopus in Scotland (and more specifically, the Highlands)? It seems that they use a company called 'Smart Energy Services (SMS)' - any good?

Any indication of make/model of meters currently being installed?

Also, is there any way of estimating whether your location is likely to be OK in terms of sending data back to the DCC/supplier, before requesting one?

[Deleted User]

A lot of questions which I doubt many can answer. Octopus has used SMS in England but then moved to its own installation teams and Energize. As all installation teams follow a prescribed installation process, I doubt that any installer is better than any other.

Octopus has previously installed L and G meters in my home but these have subsequently been replaced with Kaifa and GWi meters. I have no idea what meters Octopus is using today: supply is apparently a problem. That said, irrespective of the meter manufacturer, they are all SMETS2. I believe that Octopus still offers the Chameleon 6 IHD.

As far as location and connectivity are concerned, you will need to speak to the Octopus smart team. 

Smart@octopus.energy

Or find a neighbour that has a SMETS2 meter. If it works, then so should a meter fitted to your property. SMETS2 meters are supplier agnostic.

It is worth pointing out that suppliers may well be responsible for their customers’ meters but life isn’t that simple. The DCC runs the network and it manages and supplies the secure communications hubs. Individual meter and device manufacturers build and certify their own meters/devices with the DCC. They are also responsible for meter firmware updates (which can and do go wrong).

Alnat1

Octopus fitted Landis & Gyr E470s for me on 8th June but that was in Yorkshire

SJMALBA

[Deleted User] said:

A lot of questions which I doubt many can answer. Octopus has used SMS in England but then moved to its own installation teams and Energize. As all installation teams follow a prescribed installation process, I doubt that any installer is better than any other.

Octopus has previously installed L and G meters in my home but these have subsequently been replaced with Kaifa and GWi meters. I have no idea what meters Octopus is using today: supply is apparently a problem. That said, irrespective of the meter manufacturer, they are all SMETS2. I believe that Octopus still offers the Chameleon 6 IHD.

As far as location and connectivity are concerned, you will need to speak to the Octopus smart team. 

Smart@octopus.energy

Or find a neighbour that has a SMETS2 meter. If it works, then so should a meter fitted to your property. SMETS2 meters are supplier agnostic.

It is worth pointing out that suppliers may well be responsible for their customers’ meters but life isn’t that simple. The DCC runs the network and it manages and supplies the secure communications hubs. Individual meter and device manufacturers build and certify their own meters/devices with the DCC. They are also responsible for meter firmware updates (which can and do go wrong).

Thanks.

I'll see what Octopus have to say.

SJMALBA

Alnat1 said:

Octopus fitted Landis & Gyr E470s for me on 8th June but that was in Yorkshire

Working OK?

Alnat1

Gas and electricity supply (Tracker V3) are showing the usage stats on the app and "my account" on the website. Nothing showing yet for export on my Outgoing Agile since 8th June meter change.

Chased them on Friday about it and agreed I will give all 3 manual readings on 30th, this should generate a bill. Octopus have said they will send bills automatically 1st monthly from August which should include both supply and export.

youravinalarrrf

I don't know if this helps or not as I'm also based in Yorkshire and had my old SMETS1 smart electricity meter originally supplied by Eon in 2015 and an old style non smart gas meter upgraded in April this year.

The Octopus subcontracted installation engineer fitted a EDMI ES-10B SMETS2 Smart Electricity Meter and a EDMI GS-60B SMETS2 Smart Gas Meter together with a Chameleon IHD7-PPMID In Home Display.

From posts elsewhere it's clear that different makes/models are being supplied and fitted in different areas of the country. Basically whatever compatible SMETS2 meters they have in stock at the time. This may give you and idea of the makes/models of SMETS2 meters (see "How to read a second generation (SMETS2) smart meter" from half way down) https://octopus.energy/blog/how-to-read-your-meter/#kindofmeter

I did experience problems at first as the IHD7 would not connect and it took Octopus 2-3 weeks to get it working properly instead of the 2-3 days the installation engineer advised. It's clear that the Octopus Smart Meter Team are not carrying out any post installation checks to make sure things are installed correctly and fully working as they had no idea it wasn't working until I contacted them.

SJMALBA

Thanks, everyone.

I guess that, even more so than normal (given supply chain issues etc.), they will supply/fit whatever they are able to get (as opposed to choosing what they believe to be 'the best'), but I'll see what info. Octopus can provide (in regard to all of my questions).

Presumably, in theory, any SMETS2 meter should be as good as the next, but in reality?

In the meantime, I'm reading through the many pages about smart meters on Octopus' site, though much of it doesn't seem particularly up to date...

[Deleted User]

SJMALBA said:

Thanks, everyone.

I guess that, even more so than normal (given supply chain issues etc.), they will supply/fit whatever they are able to get (as opposed to choosing what they believe to be 'the best'), but I'll see what info. Octopus can provide (in regard to all of my questions).

Presumably, in theory, any SMETS2 meter should be as good as the next, but in reality?

In the meantime, I'm reading through the many pages about smart meters on Octopus' site, though much of it doesn't seem particularly up to date...

You are going to worry yourself into an early grave. All SMETS2 meters are tested against/and certified to the following specification:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/68898/smart_meters_equipment_technical_spec_version_2.pdf

The installer doesn't arrive with a smorgasbord of meters and communications hubs that you, the consumer, can choose from. The installer will just fit the devices that Octopus has provided them with. What are you going to do if Octopus says we are fitting Kaifa* meters and there are reports on this forum of firmware update problems? The biggest challenge that you face is whether or not your home is within the range of an Arqiva radio relay mast. If the installer cannot establish the required communications link with the DCC then he/she will not fit smart meters.

Yes, I have a Kaifa electricity meter and I had seven months of import/export problems last year due to new firmware. All any supplier can do is 'pressure' the meter manufacturer to release updated firmware. None of this stopped billing. I have also had issues with a L&G gas meter: again due to updated firmware.

SJMALBA

@[Deleted User] Not worrying, just curious; having never considered smart meters in the past, I'm on a steep learning curve, and some 'due diligence' seems sensible. I like to know as much as I am able to find out, before signing up to something.

[Deleted User]

Add this to your reading list:

https://www.smartme.co.uk/