Smart meter blank screen 😱

dreamon100

Our dual fuel deal ran out on the last day of November. I went to take meter (smart) readings on the first of December. Electric ok a reading and a cost are showing, the gas meter has a blank screen. 

The Smets2 meters were fitted by Scottish Power some time ago and we have since changed to EDF. We don’t use the indoor display as it was taking up a socket in the kitchen.
Managed to contact EDF and informed them of the none working meter, was told the Engineering department would be in touch. (Not so far)
Looked at the online bills and the gas has been ‘estimated’ since April 2022. Presumably this means the gas consumption has been unmetered since then 😱. 

Strangely an email has arrived today from EDF saying they haven’t had a gas meter reading since April 2022 and requesting a reading. 

My question is what is going to happen, other than an argument about an amount EDF might want to charge me and how do I argue against whatever they come up with?
Should EDF have noticed that they weren’t receiving Smart readings?  Should we have checked on the meters?

Any guidance appreciated. 

[Deleted User]

dreamon100 said:

Should EDF have noticed that they weren’t receiving Smart readings?  Should we have checked on the meters?

Yes and Yes.  You've had nine months of estimated readings that you should have spotted.  They don't know if smart readings are not arriving because of communication problems or because the meter has broken.

dreamon100 said:

My question is what is going to happen, other than an argument about an amount EDF might want to charge me and how do I argue against whatever they come up with?

You know how much they want to charge you - it's the estimated readings that you already have.

Look back at previous years actual usage - are they close?

dreamon100

It was a two year deal and the payments never altered (I think), consequently, to my shame, I never looked at the online bills.
Previous years usage was with a different provider, can you access historic bills? Obviously the monthly payment was based on some kind of previous usage.
If they go with the payments already made I’ll probably agree as how can I disagree?
The next issue will be the current period as the gas is currently unmetered. 

Turn the thermostat up perhaps🤪

sevenhills

Some meter go into snooze mode, so you just need to press a button to awaken the meter?
My smart meter readings are shown on my app, but there is only a bill when I submit a reading. Not good to just ignore things for months.

[Deleted User]

As indicated above, all the SMETS2 gas meters that I have seen have blank display screens to protect battery life. Pressing any button should wake up the display. What gas meter model do you have?

You should also be able to see the gas index reading in one of the IHD sub-menus.

I agree with previous posters: the need to check bills doesn’t go away just because consumers have a smart meter. 

MWT

dreamon100 said:

We don’t use the indoor display as it was taking up a socket in the kitchen.

Now would be a great time to find it, plug it in again and see if it can show you a gas meter reading...

It probably will not help given that you say your supplier is not getting gas meter readings, but it should be quick and simple to check...

[Deleted User]

It probably will not help given that you say your supplier is not getting gas meter readings, but it should be quick and simple to check...

The gas meter sends its data to the gas proxy meter in the comms hub via the Home Area Network: the same network that the IHD uses to get usage and cost data. 

The OP has concluded that as the smart meter gas display is blank that the meter is inoperative. A simple way to check is to download and install the app BRIGHT. If gas and electricity data populates then the problem sits with EDF's billing system. It is also worth noting that smart meters store imported consumption data for 13 months.

dreamon100

The home display only shows the electric reading. Have tried various long / short button presses on the meter buttons (two) nothing happened.
Will just have to wait for EDF engineers to contact me. 

EssexHebridean

Fair play to the OP for acknowledging that they have some fault in this - it would be nice if all those arriving here with similar issues were so minded!

One of those lessons that once learned, you'll never forget - and the reason why we suggest that even once Smart Meters are fitted, at least quarterly readings are maintained, plus a regular eye kept on bills raised. 

Hopefully the estimates will, once checked, seem reasonable, and the meter will be replaced soon (but perhaps not too soon!) 

imeach

I've seen some blank screens that have been like it for years, including EDF.

Suppliers never seem in a rush to repair or replace them

dreamon100

The latest move has been EDF texting asking for a photo of the meter.
Duly supplied, ball back in their court🤔