British Gas Failing.

alfiemorris

Hi! We have had a Smart Meter supplied and fitted by BG for quite a number of years now. Once or twice we have found the Monitor has stopped working, after seeking advice from BG, we have managed to make it work again. This year we have found BG failing in their customer service ie: failing to send us quarterly bills since last November and us not being able to view our usage online. For around 2 months now we have no Monitor to show our usage, at all! Making having a Smart Meter a complete waste of time. We have "Chatted" and called them several times to no avail. On our latest call last week, we were told that they can't/won't replace the Monitor. We were told of an App, Loop, that we can use on my mobile phone instead. We can't because Loop won't connect with our Smart Meter? Has anyone else experienced this problem please? 

Neil_Jones

If you mean the monitor aka the toy you plonk somewhere which almost always ends up in a draw somewhere, that's immaterial to the whole smart meter thing.

There is nothing to stop you going to your meter(s) and taking manual readings.  The "toy" isn't the point of the smart meter, the point is it sends your readings automatically without you needing to do so.

Rather than focusing on the "toy", focus on whether BG are getting readings from your meters or not.

[Deleted User]

Suppliers are obliged to replace the IHD if it fails within 12 months of supply. Thereafter, consumers are relying on goodwill.

Chameleon and Hildebrand will supply a replacement IHD (at cost). They will despatch the device already paired to your comms hub.

imeach

Neil_Jones said:

If you mean the monitor aka the toy you plonk somewhere which almost always ends up in a draw somewhere, that's immaterial to the whole smart meter thing.

There is nothing to stop you going to your meter(s) and taking manual readings.  The "toy" isn't the point of the smart meter, the point is it sends your readings automatically without you needing to do so.

Rather than focusing on the "toy", focus on whether BG are getting readings from your meters or not.

Whilst I agree it's a toy and a bit of a gimmick

I believe the in home display is the point of smart meters

The big push behind them is helping people to save money by seeing what they are using and adjusting.
Admittedly there are better apps

alfiemorris

Oh they are getting the readings ok. But your wrong in my opinion. I think it's wholly to do with knowing our usage? Our meters  are mounted down on the floor in a cupboard, why should I get down on my hands and knees to satisfy you?

alfiemorris

[Deleted User] said:

Suppliers are obliged to replace the IHD if it fails within 12 months of supply. Thereafter, consumers are relying on goodwill.

Chameleon and Hildebrand will supply a replacement IHD (at cost). They will despatch the device already paired to your comms hub.

Thank you Dolor, that;s good to see. 

lohr500

I get very annoyed at the amount of advertising for Smart Meters from that Einstein lookalike clown and how the display can help us save energy. Our IHD hasn't worked for over a year and EDF just keep fobbing us off. 
I use the Bright app and a Tapo plug to keep track of our usage, but it would be good to have a working IHD in the background to keep an eye on. At least the meter is set up with the correct EV tariff data and is sending the correct usage info to EDF.

carlos1973

I have old smart meters that BG are refusing to replace and are refusing to send me an IHD for.  They, and other suppliers say that the IHD should have been left by the previous resident and they are not obliged to replace these, unless within the first 12 months as has already been said.
I use Loop although there is a 3 hour lag in the readings which make it pointless as it only tells you what you have used.  I am considering buying a third party IHD, Ivie make a good one for £50, but with money being so tight it won't be soon.
Tonight I've had an email from USwitch about their app called Utrack which might be worth a look if you cant get Loop working.
Hope this helps.

macman

alfiemorris said:

Oh they are getting the readings ok. But your wrong in my opinion. I think it's wholly to do with knowing our usage? Our meters  are mounted down on the floor in a cupboard, why should I get down on my hands and knees to satisfy you?

So how did you know your usage pre-smart meter? You read the meters manually, and sent reads as required.