Refusing a smart meter installation

Glum

Outfox The Market have emailed me to tell me that SMS plc will be installing a smart meter next week. As far as I know, this isn't mandatory and, after reading about lots of problems on here and elsewhere, I don't want one and told them why. Nothing heard.

Is anyone else aware of this pushy approach? Unless the suppliers start discounting bills for certain times of the day, I can't see how it can save any real money.

P.S. I recently read that the smart meter rollout has reached around 26 million but is not on track to complete by 2025 and, I seem to recall, that it is the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken in the UK. Who's paying for it?

[Deleted User]

We are all paying for the rollout of smart meters as part of our daily standing charge. If your supplier has deemed your existing meter to be end-of-life then they now have the right to fit a smart meter without your permission. They can also apply to a Court for a Warrant of Entry.

Reading forums such as MSE is not a good indicator of the state of smart metering. Smart meters will form a vital part of what will be a smart grid. Increasingly, we will see the introduction of time-of-use tariffs which will require a smart meter. Those that hold out will pay more for the flexibility of using energy whenever they want.

dunstonh

As far as I know, this isn't mandatory 

Its not unless you agreed to it with your contract or your meter is broken or at end of life.

and, after reading about lots of problems on here 

There are rarely problems nowadays.  SMETS1 yes but SMETS 2 no.

Who's paying for it?

Consumers in the standing charge.

EssexHebridean

OP, could you perhaps provide a link to some of the information you have read on here about “problems with smart meters” - ones that were not issues that could also arise from a non-smart meter, and NOT in relation to the British Gas/Economy 7 situation as this is clearly not relevant in your position - I ask because actually, I can’t recall too many threads where SM’s HAVE actually caused people problems, so I’d be interested to have a read. Thanks! 

Glum

Thanks for all your comments. It's good to hear that the newer models are a lot better. My first hand experience is zero and, to be fair, what I have picked up from others is probably old and worthless.

BTW Outfox didn't mention 'end of life' so I await their explanation.

[Deleted User]

Glum said:

Thanks for all your comments. It's good to hear that the newer models are a lot better. My first hand experience is zero and, to be fair, what I have picked up from others is probably old and worthless.

BTW Outfox didn't mention 'end of life' so I await their explanation.

You might have signed up for a tariff that required you to accept having a smart meter fitted.

Glum

Deleted_User said:

You might have signed up for a tariff that required you to accept having a smart meter fitted.

Good point. I don't recall anything but will check it again.

I note that this question has a specific FAQ https://recportal.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions

Is a smart meter compulsory?
"No, the government requires that smart meters are offered by energy suppliers to all small businesses and homes, but smart meters are not a legal requirement.

Therefore it’s not compulsory to have a smart meter installed, and whether you accept one is completely up to you."

Of course, it could still be a contractual obligation.

MWT

Glum said:

Deleted_User said:

You might have signed up for a tariff that required you to accept having a smart meter fitted.

Good point. I don't recall anything but will check it again.

I note that this question has a specific FAQ https://recportal.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions

That information is incomplete and out of date unfortunately.

The meter is the responsibility of the supplier and if they determine that the meter needs to be replaced they can insist on it.

Hopefully it won't come to that though...

Glum

MWT said:

That information is incomplete and out of date unfortunately.

Thanks for the info. I see that Ofgem has similar information on https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/getting-smart-meter so I'm wondering if you have a link to the up-to-date regulations.

Spies

You most likely will want a smart meter in order to participate in the big turn down when the national grid is getting stretched and you'll likely be rewarded for doing so. 

fryedslyce

Glum said:

MWT said:

That information is incomplete and out of date unfortunately.

Thanks for the info. I see that Ofgem has similar information on https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/getting-smart-meter so I'm wondering if you have a link to the up-to-date regulations.

Smart Metering Installation Code of Practice:

https://www.edfenergy.com/sites/default/files/smicop_v7.3_-_final_01_jul_21.pdf