Smart Meter Upgrade

thriftytracey

We have a "1st Generation" smart meter which is not compatible with our current supplier, Scottish Power.  I called SP to ask what the situation is around this.  I was advised that they were waiting for Ofgem to give the go ahead to upgrade the meters remotely and they said they would supply a Home Display unit.  This was likely to take place in October.  Obviously, having a home display unit would be of immediate benefit to us as users so that we can check how much gas and electricity we are using and try and reduce consumption.

I thought I would call Ofgem to clarify this.  Not quite as straightforward as the SP representative stated.  Apparently a Data Communication company are looking at developing a network which is backward compatible.  This is being funded by the government department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.  When this universal system is ready then it will kick in.  The timescale is the "next couple of months".  

I just wonder about the timescale, a couple of months sounds a bit vague and it could be a lot longer.  Also, the new PM has announced forthcoming fairly massive cuts to civil service - so who is to say that this project could be shelved?  

Smart meters have to be inspected every 10 years in any case, so that is a huge exercise in itself.  I think ours is coming up to 10 years.

In the meantime, can anyone recommend some kind of  home display system that will provide the information that a smart meter could? 

[Deleted User]

For individual sockets or appliances, there are plenty of smart plugs - lots seem to recommend the Tado P110, I use re-branded Gosund plugs that show usage on a phone app.

For the whole house, a clip-round power meter would be best - I used to have one called Owl that had an IHD very similar to the smart meter ones, but I don't know if they sell them any more.

gefnew

Something like this would help.
Eaga Energy Monitor Used Good Condition (Z2) | eBay

pochase

[Deleted User] said:

For individual sockets or appliances, there are plenty of smart plugs - lots seem to recommend the Tado P110, I use re-branded Gosund plugs that show usage on a phone app.

For the whole house, a clip-round power meter would be best - I used to have one called Owl that had an IHD very similar to the smart meter ones, but I don't know if they sell them any more.

Gosund smart meter is currently  on offer, 3 for £21.17, but only delivery in 4 weeks. I have just ordered three in additional to my P110s.

thriftytracey

Thanks for responses.  Gefnew, I would like a whole house energy meter so am watching the eBay one.  Hope it works.

I would need a lot of Gosung plugs, that's for sure.

thriftytracey

Just to add, looked at reviews of the Eaga Energy Monitor and it seems very basic compared to the Owl one we had back in the day with British Gas.  Seems crazy that there is nothing a bit more sophisticated out there.  We really need it now in these dark times!  There must be a huge number of 1st generation smart meters in the UK.

dollypeeps

Further to the OP first post, we have 1st gen smart meters installed by EOn a few years back.
We switched to SSE ( now OVO) and have been with them for quite some time. 

Our meters are now ‘smart’ and I have 1/2 readings with daily updates all delivered to my app on my iPhone.
so I’m not quite sure about the government working on updates etc, I thought it was up to the energy companies to offer it and the customer to agree.

thriftytracey

dollypeeps said:

Further to the OP first post, we have 1st gen smart meters installed by EOn a few years back.
We switched to SSE ( now OVO) and have been with them for quite some time. 

Our meters are now ‘smart’ and I have 1/2 readings with daily updates all delivered to my app on my iPhone.
so I’m not quite sure about the government working on updates etc, I thought it was up to the energy companies to offer it and the customer to agree.

Scottish Power were quite clear they were waiting on a network solution.  However, that might not apply to all providers .Let's face it the energy providers have never been "joined up", so to speak.

I can't switch as I am on a fix until June 2023.  I am almost 100% certain I wouldn't get a comparable as I fixed in April this year when energy prices first started rising.

[Deleted User]

There is an ongoing programme being run by The DCC ( the smart meter network provider) to upgrade the SMETS1 meters so that they can be adopted and enrolled onto the DCC Network. This is being done by manufacturer and meter/communications model. Suppliers have no input into when an a firmware upgrade will be deployed. 

The upgrade programme will be completed by the end of 2022: at least, on present plans. Switching suppliers will not change anything unless the new supplier happens to be using the same SMETS1 meter for its customers.

https://www.smartdcc.co.uk/our-smart-network/current-programmes/smets1-enrolment-and-adoption/

PS: the document talks about supplier engagement; informing customers etc. Sadly, from many reports this rarely happens. Customers find out when the see smart meter readings on their statements,