Energy Supplier Contract

asurya

So, long story short.  I had a smart meter installed by British Gas a long time ago and it used to work perfectly fine.  A few years back, just before the start of the pandemic I switch to Scottish Power and at that point, the smart meter stopped working, both in reporting usage back to the supplier and the small unit you would use to monitor your usage for yourself.  Attempts were made with Scottish Power to have them come and fix the meter, but due to pandemic, this has never been carried out and now they say that due to short supply and because I can still see the meter readings and can submit them manually, they don't intend to fix it.  The following is from a recent exchange via DM on Twitter.

"I understand, however we can not exchange this meter as it is not faulty, and with this not being our meter we are not able to change the mode and communicate with it."

My question is this, however.  My current energy tariff was offered to me on the condition that I have a smart meter installed.  Now, I would argue that although the smart meter is installed, if it doesn't offer the functions of smart meter to either myself or the supplier than it might as well not be.  After all, you could install a fridge into someone's kitchen, but if it doesn't keep food cold, then it might as well be a cupboard.

What are my rights here?  I'm pretty sure if the shoe was on the other foot and it was myself that was being the blocker to having the meter installed/repaired then Scottish Power would be quick to point out I'm in breach of contract with my current energy tariff.

Any advice would be well received.

Thanks in advance.

TheMilkmansDad

I'd repost/request this to be moved to the Energy board where people who have been through the same process will be able to advise.

asurya

Could a moderator move this thread for me please.  I tried to just repost it, but it was caught by a filter.  Presumably because the exact same text exists here.

molerat

I doubt your contract states they must install a fully operational smart meter, there will be a get out clause for them. As long as it is working as a meter and you are still getting the rates agreed for having a smart meter there is little you can do.

sheramber

Some old  smart meters stop working when switched

https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/smart-meters/article/smart-meters-explained/smart-meter-problems-and-solutions-a32nQ

MSE_Laura_F

Thank you - I've moved this to the Energy board.

MSE Laura F

MWT

asurya said:

What are my rights here?  I'm pretty sure if the shoe was on the other foot and it was myself that was being the blocker to having the meter installed/repaired then Scottish Power would be quick to point out I'm in breach of contract with my current energy tariff.

Any advice would be well received.

Thanks in advance.

You have the right to a functioning meter, which yours seems to be, there is no right to a fully functioning smart meter.

Odds are you have an old SMETS1 'Secure' brand meter.

If so then there are some suppliers like Octopus that have the ability to access them even if they have not yet been adopted by the DCC, but most other suppliers, like SP do not have that ability.

Currently the suppliers are incentivised to replace 'dumb' meters with new smart meters, but replacing a SMETS1 with a SMETS2 does not count, so they have no incentive to replace it as long as it is producing a meter reading for you to manually submit. 

[Deleted User]

MWT said:

asurya said:

What are my rights here?  I'm pretty sure if the shoe was on the other foot and it was myself that was being the blocker to having the meter installed/repaired then Scottish Power would be quick to point out I'm in breach of contract with my current energy tariff.

Any advice would be well received.

Thanks in advance.

You have the right to a functioning meter, which yours seems to be, there is no right to a fully functioning smart meter.

Odds are you have an old SMETS1 'Secure' brand meter.

If so then there are some suppliers like Octopus that have the ability to access them even if they have not yet been adopted by the DCC, but most other suppliers, like SP do not have that ability.

Currently the suppliers are incentivised to replace 'dumb' meters with new smart meters, but replacing a SMETS1 with a SMETS2 does not count, so they have no incentive to replace it as long as it is producing a meter reading for you to manually submit. 

Suppliers are in the process of updating SMETS1 meters - a process know as ‘enrolling and adopting’ - so that they can connect to the DCC Network. Meters will only be replaced if the the E and A process cannot be implemented. 

I know that Octopus has E and A’d a large number of Secure SMETS1 meters.