How would I go about getting rid of a PAYG gas meter?

daveandjadea

I'm struggling to figure out how to go about this, and ideally doing so that best suits what I'm aiming for. 

Currently I have a PAYG meter for my gas, with EDF - this was here when I moved in over a decade ago, I just never got around to switching it to a normal meter. With energy prices as they are this meter is becoming a real pain to keep topping up, concerned I'm paying more with this type of meter. 

My electricity is with British Gas - I pay every fortnight via BACS. I'm on ESA (don't get PIP) so I'm struggling to keep up with payments, but I'm not in too much debt with them yet. 

Ideally I'd like;

1. Gas and electric with British Gas.
2. Get rid of the PAYG meter.
3. Have smart meters fitted.

But I'm not even sure if I can switch with the state of energy suppliers right now - I'd normally switch suppliers using Compare the Market but last time I checked they couldn't even allow comparisons.

Am I better off approaching EDF to try to get rid of this PAYG meter, then change to another supplier at a later date (changing to smart meters at that point)? What order? 

BUFF

Have you tried phoning or messaging BG (as you mentioned most of the online website routes to switch aren't currently available)?

Jyana

You'll need to call the company you want to change to, some are taking switches but not everyone is with the way things are at present so you may need to shop around. You can attempt to change to a credit meter before or after the switch, all it takes is passing a credit check and then arranging the appointment for the smart meters to be fitted - you will most likely need the electricity one done too, due to the gas smart meter needing to communicate with it.

I notice you say that you have a bit of debt building up with BG for your electricity right now, so just as a heads up, once you have smart meters fitted, your supplier can change them to prepayment without a home visit if debt does build up. They do this by advising you beforehand still, but most likely it will only be via email and/or a notice on your bills when they haven't been paid. You won't get a court letter through as no summons to enter your property is required any more. 

wild666

You should be able to get it changed to a credit meter if you have a good credit record but if they refuse complain using resolver if your initial approach to get then switched isn't successful then if they still won't change them for credit smart meters go to the ombudsman and you might even get some compensation as well as having the meter(s) changed to smart meter(s).

macman

Switch to Octopus and then order a smart meter. Mine were installed within about 3 weeks of requesting them.
However you'll need to switch manually, not online. Twitter is fastest, then email.
Once you have a smart meter, the mode can be switched from PPM to credit meter remotely.
Once that's all done, you can switch back to BG if you wish, but there's no point at present. 
BG are apparently unable to fit smart meters at present due to supply issues.

jbuchanangb

A switch to Octopus will not achieve the OP's goal of having both electricity and gas with BG. Although BG are not accepting new customers at the moment, that is not relevant to this situation because OP is already a BG customer for electricity. BG should not object to switching the gas supply onto the OP's account. I had no problem earlier this year adding gas to my electricity only account with E.ON. After switching the gas account to BG without changing the PAYG meter, the next step would be to request a credit meter for gas. As long as the BG electricity account is being managed well, I can't see why BG should refuse. In due course they should install both smart meters.

bristolleedsfan

jbuchanangb said:

 Although BG are not accepting new customers at the moment,

They are and have been for some time https://www.britishgas.co.uk/GetAQuote/new/quote-details

macman

jbuchanangb said:

A switch to Octopus will not achieve the OP's goal of having both electricity and gas with BG. Although BG are not accepting new customers at the moment, that is not relevant to this situation because OP is already a BG customer for electricity. BG should not object to switching the gas supply onto the OP's account. I had no problem earlier this year adding gas to my electricity only account with E.ON. After switching the gas account to BG without changing the PAYG meter, the next step would be to request a credit meter for gas. As long as the BG electricity account is being managed well, I can't see why BG should refuse. In due course they should install both smart meters.

Depends if the OP's priority really is a BG dual fuel account, or smart meters running in credit mode. It's up to the OP. but I suspect it's the latter, and it's more likely to be achievable in the near future with BG than Octopus.

bristolleedsfan

macman said:

jbuchanangb said:

A switch to Octopus will not achieve the OP's goal of having both electricity and gas with BG. Although BG are not accepting new customers at the moment, that is not relevant to this situation because OP is already a BG customer for electricity. BG should not object to switching the gas supply onto the OP's account. I had no problem earlier this year adding gas to my electricity only account with E.ON. After switching the gas account to BG without changing the PAYG meter, the next step would be to request a credit meter for gas. As long as the BG electricity account is being managed well, I can't see why BG should refuse. In due course they should install both smart meters.

, and it's more likely to be achievable in the near future with BG than Octopus.

Not necessarily, O/P would be better off asking suppliers including EDF directly about availability in his/her area.

https://twitter.com/DrEmBurns/status/1591369997112279041

@OctopusEnergy

I've been trying to get a smart meter in current place since August & in previous place never managed to get a slot. Stuck on more expensive tariff. Is there a shortage of installers?

MattMattMattUK

bristolleedsfan said:

macman said:

jbuchanangb said:

A switch to Octopus will not achieve the OP's goal of having both electricity and gas with BG. Although BG are not accepting new customers at the moment, that is not relevant to this situation because OP is already a BG customer for electricity. BG should not object to switching the gas supply onto the OP's account. I had no problem earlier this year adding gas to my electricity only account with E.ON. After switching the gas account to BG without changing the PAYG meter, the next step would be to request a credit meter for gas. As long as the BG electricity account is being managed well, I can't see why BG should refuse. In due course they should install both smart meters.

, and it's more likely to be achievable in the near future with BG than Octopus.

Not necessary , O/P would be better off asking suppliers including EDF directly about availability in his/her area.

https://twitter.com/DrEmBurns/status/1591369997112279041

@OctopusEnergy

I've been trying to get a smart meter in current place since August & in previous place never managed to get a slot. Stuck on more expensive tariff. Is there a shortage of installers?

There is a shortage of meters due to the semiconductor shortage.
PAYG tariffs are now cheaper than Direct Debit so they/you are not stuck on a more expensive tariff. 

bristolleedsfan

MattMattMattUK said:

bristolleedsfan said:

macman said:

jbuchanangb said:

A switch to Octopus will not achieve the OP's goal of having both electricity and gas with BG. Although BG are not accepting new customers at the moment, that is not relevant to this situation because OP is already a BG customer for electricity. BG should not object to switching the gas supply onto the OP's account. I had no problem earlier this year adding gas to my electricity only account with E.ON. After switching the gas account to BG without changing the PAYG meter, the next step would be to request a credit meter for gas. As long as the BG electricity account is being managed well, I can't see why BG should refuse. In due course they should install both smart meters.

, and it's more likely to be achievable in the near future with BG than Octopus.

Not necessary , O/P would be better off asking suppliers including EDF directly about availability in his/her area.

https://twitter.com/DrEmBurns/status/1591369997112279041

@OctopusEnergy

I've been trying to get a smart meter in current place since August & in previous place never managed to get a slot. Stuck on more expensive tariff. Is there a shortage of installers?

PAYG tariffs are now cheaper than Direct Debit so they/you are not stuck on a more expensive tariff. 

O/P has gas prepayment, looks to me based on first two regions EDF prices from 1 January SC and kWh cheaper by direct debit ....

https://www.edfenergy.com/sites/default/files/government_energy_price_guarantee_prices._standard_variable_deemed_and_welcome._credit_meters.pdf