Octopus Smart Meters

Alnat1

That's what they did and you spat the dummy and felt you needed to post about it.

If you have no problem with the meters being changed, why are you making an issue of it?

[Deleted User]

……..  from the "smart metering team".

The email is from the smart metering team because BEIS (ie; The Government) agreed in 2019 that suppliers could fit smart meters WITHOUT the consumer’s permission when replacing end-of-life meters. Many of the newer suppliers do not have access to analogue meters so this was a logical change of policy.

EssexHebridean

2010 said:

Alnat1 said:

They should come in the house if the gas meter is changed, as they are supposed to check every gas appliance is purged and working correctly before they leave.

Snip

If they legally had to change them, all they had to do was write to me and tell me and a date could be arranged.

Snip

OK, so perhaps something like this then:

2010 said:

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.
 

That even looks like a nice clickable link for you to make the booking? I'm now completely confused what the issue is - they have contacted you to tell you, and they are inviting you to arrange a date?  

They can't just "come and do it" because a) that would be inconvenient for many people - for example those who work from home and for whom an interruption to the electricity in particular would mean they would lose working time, b) it's politer to ask first before accessing someone's property in that situation, no? and c) In the case of the gas meter they require access to the house to ensure that everything is made safe as Alnat has already explained.  

Suggesting it's a "con" is ridiculous - there's no loss to you, indeed of anything there may be a gain as you get the potential advantage of savings to be made - for example the "savings sessions" recently being run, and specific tariffs which might give you a financial advantage. It also gives you a greater chance of spotting when something is left on in error - costing money - or perhaps a safety risk - for example a kettle with a failed cut-out device,  if using the IHD.  So unless you think someone is trying to con you into SAVING money, which is a slightly odd approach... 

I'm curious though - do you only have things in your life that you absolutely, positively need? Or do you also enjoy having some things that make your life more straightforward, easier or just richer in some way? Try thinking of a smart meter in that way, perhaps. 

macman

Mine have a sticker on stating the install date...leccy meter was 2000, shortly to be replaced with a smart meter.