Energy use data new BG smart meter

Ange_D

BG installed electric and gas smart meters on the 4th of October and supplied me with a non branded Trio II IHD (it’s just plain black).

The installer was here longer than expected and made a sharp exit even though the IHD was showing “awaiting data” so he couldn’t demonstrate anything. He told me info would appear within 24 hours.

After he left I noticed on the system status page that the gas symbol wasn’t even showing and that there was an issue with connecting to the electric meter. I was also disappointed to realise that the IHD I was given has no wifi option (despite the instructions I was left with suggesting I could connect it to wifi)

No change after 24hrs so I switched off/on and it all came to life showing connection to both electric and gas meters. As far as I can tell the IHD is now working fine and seems to match meter readings. 

The BG app energy usage section acknowledged I’d recently switched to a smart meter and info would be available shortly.  

Since Friday this section changed but it’s saying that it can’t report on any previous days as not receiving data and everything is showing as £0.00.  I have it set to send data every 30 minutes. 

Prior to installation I had given monthly meter readings up until September 30th but my energy usage data now only shows to June for some reason. 

To hopefully avoid contacting BG my question  is should I expect to see energy usage data on this app/website or is this not possible as given a basic IHD with no wifi?

Am I just being impatient and this might take a few days/weeks? 

The whole point of me getting these was to track more accurately. 

Any advice would be appreciated. 

MWT

The concern over wifi is a red-herring, even if you had an IHD with it, it plays no part in delivery of your meter data to the supplier, nor does it give you any local access to that data.

It can be used to update the firmware on the IHD, bit that is about all, unless your supplier has created any cloud services that use it, I believe only Bulb have done this.

For the rest, yes it can take from a few days to a few weeks before your supplier properly activates the data path from the DCC to the meter, and then it may also need a remote 'pairing' command to get the gas meter showing on the IHD.

I'll leave comments on the BG online data access to others as I believe there has been some ongoing issues there.... 

locky123

New BG smart meter user also, a few days before you. IHD working for both electric and gas, but SVT gas tariff hasnt changed yet from 1 Oct, electric was fixed and staying on fix. BG app isnt showing usage data and apparently this has been the case for several months according to other users. I queried with BG but no reply yet. Tried other apps such as Bright and Loop and they also show no gas data but electric data is showing, identical to IHD. Dont know whether gas will appear later, as some indicate gas data can take longer. BG obviously dont like informing customers about negative issues such as their app not showing usage data.

[Deleted User]

Suppliers can only access smart meter data once the new meters have been registered on the two National databases. This process can take a few weeks.  The supplier will send out bespoke security certificates to each of the meters which form part of the GCHQ-level security built into the smart metering system. Suppliers obtain meter data by sending a ‘pull’ request once a day. The meter will only respond if it matches the data request to the bespoke security certificate.  The DCC network operator does not get sight of any data from your meters.

The IHD connects to a Home Area Network set up by your communications hub. This is also secure. As stated above, the wifi function is of limited use. Some suppliers, like Bulb, will access data from the IHD via SmartThings to populate an App. Other third-parties can access data from your meter in a similar way to a supplier but ONLY with your permission and provided they are approved DCC Other Users. Like suppliers,  they use secure software to access smart meter data.

Why all the fuss about security? All smart meters have built in remote disconnection switches. If, say, these were subject to an attack by a foreign power the simultaneous disconnection of a large number of meters could cause significant damage to the Grid infrastructure.

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/the-smart-security-behind-the-gb-smart-metering-system

Ange_D

Thanks for the info. I have a better understanding now.

It seems I’m being a bit impatient and might have to wait a few weeks.

I was aware that BG smart meter users were having issues with usage data and yet I still went ahead, which in retrospect probably wasn’t the smartest decision. 

I just hope things start to work and I can avoid having to contact them. 

CSH1

Thanks, @[Deleted User], this probably explains then why my SMETS1 electric meter which started working about a month ago, in house display is working fine and tariff updated on it, is not showing any energy use at all on the BG app or website and says that no readings have been received yet

[Deleted User]

CSH1 said:

Thanks, @[Deleted User], this probably explains then why my SMETS1 electric meter which started working about a month ago, in house display is working fine and tariff updated on it, is not showing any energy use at all on the BG app or website and says that no readings have been received yet

You can check whether your SMETS1 meter is now connected to the DCC Network:


https://smartmetercheck.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Ange_D

Another quick question relating to the IHD and usage if I may?

I’m aware that the standing charges would go on after midnight. What I’m finding is that my “cost so far” for gas will incorporate the 28p standing change with my usage but for some reason the electricity cost ‘so far’ doesn’t add the standing charge on to the energy today/energy history screen.  

The tariffs are correct on the IHD and meter also shows correct electricity standing charge. Just wondered if anyone else with a BG trio II had same issue? Seems odd that it can do it for gas but not electricity. Just means I have to add another 50p on to whatever it says!