Smart Meter - Incorrect Tariff Rate

NickFelton

With the increase in costs I have been keeping a close watch on my readings on the Smart Meter. I am with Scottish Power and my bill was way higher than Smart Reading. It transpires that my Gas Tariff being applied on the Smart Meter is 3.85p per Kwh but the real cost is 9.842p. I have contacted Scottish Power for them to rectify the fault but they state that it is not something they can (or will) do. Other than automatic reading transmission the Smart Meter is always wrong. Is there anything I can do ?

[Deleted User]

The only party that has access to your smart meters with regard to setting tariff information is your designated supplier: you are being fobbed off.

That said, there is nothing in Licence Conditions that require suppliers to update the tariff information. Each DCC message also costs the supplier money. All you can do is raise a written complaint.

eastcorkram

The tarriff shown on my IHD, is nothing like the tarriff shown, and used for billing when logged into the account. 

Alnat1

Is it your actual smart meter (the thing attached to the wall, possibly in a cupboard or outside) that is showing the wrong tariff, or is it your IHD (In Home Display).

If it's only the IHD, then SP will probably get it updated to show the correct tariff at some point but will be charging you the correct rate for your bills. You could try getting the Bright app (use the reference on the back of your IHD to register) which should show costs, although only for previous days, not instant. 

[Deleted User]

Alnat1 said:

Is it your actual smart meter (the thing attached to the wall, possibly in a cupboard or outside) that is showing the wrong tariff, or is it your IHD (In Home Display).

If it's only the IHD, then SP will probably get it updated to show the correct tariff at some point but will be charging you the correct rate for your bills. You could try getting the Bright app (use the reference on the back of your IHD to register) which should show costs, although only for previous days, not instant. 

The IHD gets its tariff information from the ESME and GSME (the meters) via the secure Zigbee Home Area Network established by the communications hub. I am not aware of any suppliers sending out tariff information directly to the IHD. 

BRIGHT also gets its tariff information from the ESME and GSME.

NickFelton

Well thank you all, the Electric Tariff is correct so they can do it if they want. I shall have to use the Apps and check as and when they update. So much for all the Government twaddle about how good they are.

EssexHebridean

NickFelton said:

With the increase in costs I have been keeping a close watch on my readings on the Smart Meter. I am with Scottish Power and my bill was way higher than Smart Reading. It transpires that my Gas Tariff being applied on the Smart Meter is 3.85p per Kwh but the real cost is 9.842p. I have contacted Scottish Power for them to rectify the fault but they state that it is not something they can (or will) do. Other than automatic reading transmission the Smart Meter is always wrong. Is there anything I can do ?

What rate is being charged on your bills? I don’t have smart meters myself as yet but I wasn’t aware that the meter itself showed the tariff at all?

[Deleted User]

EssexHebridean said:

NickFelton said:

With the increase in costs I have been keeping a close watch on my readings on the Smart Meter. I am with Scottish Power and my bill was way higher than Smart Reading. It transpires that my Gas Tariff being applied on the Smart Meter is 3.85p per Kwh but the real cost is 9.842p. I have contacted Scottish Power for them to rectify the fault but they state that it is not something they can (or will) do. Other than automatic reading transmission the Smart Meter is always wrong. Is there anything I can do ?

What rate is being charged on your bills? I don’t have smart meters myself as yet but I wasn’t aware that the meter itself showed the tariff at all?

What shows on the IHD has no impact on billing: that is done in the standard way.

Octopus’ Agile import tariff comprises 48 by 30 minute tariff slots per day. The supplier could update the tariff information in the ESME at midnight each day but it chooses not to do so. The supplier just sets an average unit price which is used to calculate an indicative cost which displays on the IHD. The tariffs that have been sent to the meters can be accessed via the smart meter sub-menus.

PS @NickFelton is confusing the IHD with the actual smart meters: an all too common mistake.

EssexHebridean

Yes - that was pretty much my point… I was hoping we could lead to the OP drawing their own conclusion on that one, though.