Shell Energy email "Your meter needs to be replaced"

mblundell

Shell are offering me a free Smart Meter to replace the old one. I have questions though:

1. Are there any special considerations for my 'Flexible 7 Electricity Only' tariff with a Smart Meter? 
2. How did they determine my meter is end-of-life: do they have a registry of meter serial numbers? perceived irregular readings? other?
3. Presumably all my neighbours in the building will also soon be receiving your meter is at end-of-life notifications, right?
4. Read article in DT 6 months ago stating that Smart Meters are not without drawbacks (e.g. provider lock-in). The Smart Meter guide on this site there did not seem to be any hesitation about getting one - is that right?
5. Can I practically refuse the offer and go with new old style meter? Or will they penalise me by introducing tariffs that only the Smart Meter can support?

Thanks!

QrizB

1. No.

2. Yes.

3. If they all have the same model of meter as you, all fitted at the same time, then probably yes

4. There is no supplier lickbun with smart meters.

5. No. And yes, smart meter only tariffs already exist

pochase

Point 5 is a two part question.

They don't install old style meters any longer, so you need to take the smart meter. 

And yes there are discussions not about punishing those on a old meter, but they will not be able to save money on some of the ideas currently tested. For example rewards if you use less energy during peak time.

brewerdave

1. Presumably Flex. 7 is a two rate tariff to allow for cheaper rates during the night? If so ,then the meter fitter needs to set up the new meter correctly for E7 -I'm no expert but others, on here, are.
3. Not all your neighbours because they will be with other suppliers ,who will be operating their own timetables for meter replacements.

xzibit

Seems strange. My father still has the same electric meter that was fitted somewhen in the 80s with a spinning disc. They’ve never tried to change his meter. 

mblundell

brewerdave said:

1. Presumably Flex. 7 is a two rate tariff to allow for cheaper rates during the night? If so ,then the meter fitter needs to set up the new meter correctly for E7 -I'm no expert but others, on here, are.
3. Not all your neighbours because they will be with other suppliers ,who will be operating their own timetables for meter replacements.

Yes, there's separate Day and Night readings. Thanks for the tip, I'll make sure the installation team are prepared for this.

jrawle

The statement that "Your meter needs to be replaced" is almost certainly false. Energy companies have a quota for the number of smart meters they must install, so they resort to underhand tactics to get customers to agree to it. If you would find a smart meter useful, by all means arrange to have one installed. If you don't want one at the moment, ignore the messages or tell them you don't want one. Your existing meter will continue to work fine.

[Deleted User]

jrawle said:

The statement that "Your meter needs to be replaced" is almost certainly false. Energy companies have a quota for the number of smart meters they must install, so they resort to underhand tactics to get customers to agree to it. If you would find a smart meter useful, by all means arrange to have one installed. If you don't want one at the moment, ignore the messages or tell them you don't want one. Your existing meter will continue to work fine.

When meters are deemed to end-of-life, suppliers have the right to fit a smart meter (without the consumer's approval), and a statutory right to get a Warrant to enter a property. There is absolutely no way that you can say that the supplier is making a false statement. All meters have a certificated life which can be extended following further testing and in-use experience. The Gas and Electricity Acts require suppliers to ensure that gas and electricity is billed using certificated meters.

 

Northern_Wanderer

You can check your certification with model number here to see when yours expires: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1056244/Schedule_4_-_31st_January_2022.pdf

the meter will say when it was fitted so you can work out when it needs replaced.

Swipe

You need to ask the installer multiple times if they understand that you are on economy 7 (mention storage heaters if you have them) and if they are unsure you must ask them to abort the installation or you will be left with no heating.

jimjames

xzibit said:

Seems strange. My father still has the same electric meter that was fitted somewhen in the 80s with a spinning disc. They’ve never tried to change his meter. 

We have a disc meter that would appear to be substantially older than the 80s but have recently received the same communication so I suspect it is only a matter of time before his gets changed