Economy 7 Smart Meter

ecslade79

I have a second generation smart meter, currently on a standard single rate tariff.  I'm considering switching to Economy 7 (although would only do so after calculating if it would save me money).  But my energy supplier says I need to change my meter and would charge me to do so.
Can't the latest smart meters just be programmed to take 2 readings rather than 1?  Are there really different smart meters for single vs dual readings?

EssexHebridean

There are - but those are generally for homes that “require” E7 rather than just want to switch to it. Homes with storage heaters which should only be supplied during the off peak periods often have a 5 terminal meter whereas the standard for single rate homes is 4 terminal. It could be that is the “script” your supplier is reading from.

[Deleted User]

ecslade79 said:

I have a second generation smart meter, currently on a standard single rate tariff.  I'm considering switching to Economy 7 (although would only do so after calculating if it would save me money).  But my energy supplier says I need to change my meter and would charge me to do so.
Can't the latest smart meters just be programmed to take 2 readings rather than 1?  Are there really different smart meters for single vs dual readings?

SMETS2 meters have 4 registers so E7 should not be a problem unless you have storage heaters on a separate circuit. In which case you need a smart meter with ALCS (Auxiliary Load Control System). 

pochase

Is your supplier maybe BG? They seem unable to sort out E7 on smart meters.

ecslade79

pochase said:

Is your supplier maybe BG? They seem unable to sort out E7 on smart meters.

It’s Eon next

Officer_Dibble

I've just switched to E7 with Octopus with a SMETS2 meter (not one that was fitted by them) - all done very swiftly and remotely and with no charge.

TimmyM

i have a faulty Key Meter with BG on E7 and they wont change just the electric meter they want to change the gas aswell both to smart meters is this correct? they said they come as pairs 

Gerry1

The comms hub associated with a smart electricity meter enables a smart gas meter to communicate, but you don't have to have a gas smart meter just because you have a smart electricity meter.  It sounds like they're using it as an excuse to twist your arm.

However, what makes you think the smart electricity meter is faulty?

[Deleted User]

Gerry1 said:

The comms hub associated with a smart electricity meter enables a smart gas meter to communicate, but you don't have to have a gas smart meter just because you have a smart electricity meter.  It sounds like they're using it as an excuse to twist your arm.

However, what makes you think the smart electricity meter is faulty?

A communications hub is necessary whenever a smart meter is fitted. If it is a dual supply with a single supplier they will want to exchange both meters at the same time to reduce the cost of installation visits that we are all paying for.

EssexHebridean

Just a thought - are the issues that BG have with E7 and smart meters limited to credit meters, or could the @TimmyM be about to find themselves in problems here? 

Swipe

EssexHebridean said:

Just a thought - are the issues that BG have with E7 and smart meters limited to credit meters, or could the @TimmyM be about to find themselves in problems here? 

I don't recall who it was, but it was posted on here a couple of weeks ago that the BG smart meter E7 incompatibility is no longer an issue. Personally, I'd want written confirmation of that from BG before proceeding.