Octopus Smart Meters

2010

Had this email today from Octopus smart metering team.

Your meters are approaching the end of their certification period and need to be replaced to ensure absolute accuracy. Don't worry, the install's a breeze; our friendly engineer will be with you for about an hour per fuel and that's it - you're done!
Book your smart meter now.

I suspect this is yet another ruse to get you to agree to a smart meter.
I would have thought if the meter`s expiry dates were up, they would just do it anyway without asking.
Not only that, the gas and the electric meters were not fitted at the same time, so unlikely to have expired together.
 

[Deleted User]

You suspect incorrectly.

There is no ruse.

Spoonie_Turtle

2010 said:

Not only that, the gas and the electric meters were not fitted at the same time, so unlikely to have expired together.

That's irrelevant because different meters have different certification periods.  It would be quite unlikely for them to have had the same certification period each tbh.

facade

The ruse is the part you identified  "need to be replaced to ensure absolute accuracy". That isn't the reason they want to do it, it is about meeting their targets.

It is like replacing your measuring jug every year to ensure that you are always using one that has been recently calibrated, there is nothing wrong with the accuracy of the old one, but it keeps Pyrex or whoever in business.

[Deleted User]

Oh behave.  It's nothing like a Pyrex jug - that's just a facetious comparison to try and score a point.

Merlin139

I have been with Octopus for the last 15 months and both my meters went passed there certification period 6 months ago. Confirmed they need to be replaced after 20 years by checking the codes on the meters. Been in house since built in 2002.

No email from Octopus for me. They did try to get me to request one eachtime I log onto my account but that has now stopped. 

I am happy with the meters I have and take weekly readings so I think I would notice any problems in usage.

facade

Deleted_User said:

Oh behave.  It's nothing like a Pyrex jug - that's just a facetious comparison to try and score a point.

I couldn't think of anything else found in the home that needs to be calibrated, and could be replaced, maybe the central heating thermostat?

EDIT: Kitchen scales! 

The point is they are using calibration certification expiry as a reason to force smart meters onto people, as they can't argue unless they get their meters recalibrated themselves somehow.

The meters don't suddenly become inaccurate when the certificate expires. (And even if they did, the inaccuracy would more likely be under-reading)

[Deleted User]

I am happy with the meters I have and take weekly readings so I think I would notice any problems in usage.

You might be - but the supplier shouldn’t be billing if a meter is past its certified life. This is covered in The Gas and Electricity Acts. Suppliers are permitted to apply to a Court for a Warrant if Entry if a end-of-life meter request is refused.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/gas-and-electricity-meter-regulations

[Deleted User]

facade said:

The point is they are using calibration certification expiry as a reason to force smart meters onto people, as they can't argue unless they get their meters recalibrated themselves somehow.

They're trying to replace end-of-life and uncalibrated meters as they risk being at breach of their licence if they don't.  See the regulations that Dolor linked to.

The question of whether there should be an option to replace with a "dumb" meter, or a smart meter but in "dumb mode", is perhaps worth arguing to some people.  The effort to replace meters with expired certification to comply with the law, however, is not.

2010

[Deleted User] said:

I am happy with the meters I have and take weekly readings so I think I would notice any problems in usage.

You might be - but the supplier shouldn’t be billing if a meter is past its certified life. This is covered in The Gas and Electricity Acts. Suppliers are permitted to apply to a Court for a Warrant if Entry if a end-of-life meter request is refused.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/gas-and-electricity-meter-regulations

This is exactly my thought, that if they were really out of certification, they would just go ahead without my permission and fit new smart meters.

I expect it`s yet another gimmick to "con" customers into something they don`t want.
They need to fit a certain amount of smart meters per year to meet government targets, otherwise they get fined.

I haven`t booked an appointment for these meters and I don`t intend to.

How can I tell how old the meters are?

Thanks for all the replies so far.

wild666

A friend has had the end of life email about 3 or 4 times over the last 3 years he just tells them his meters readings are the same, roughly, as they were 40 years ago, they might be a bit less due to advances in technology but that's about all.