Being forced to buy a smart meter

cheeky51

My energy account is with Eon-Next. I have a smart meter (3 or 4 years old now) installed by a previous supplier. The meter has failed & Eon tell me if a still want a smart meter I have to buy my own! My meters are outside my flat & placed practically on the ground. I'm 71, have heart trouble & although I can kneel down to read the meters I have trouble getting up again. I need a new smart meter. Can Eon do this. Shouldn't they provide me with a new one free of charge?

CanNeverThinkOfAUsername

Are you talking about the meter itself (aka the thing on the wall), or the IHD (the little box you plugin to the wall)? Also, as you are 71 make sure you get on the PSR (Priority Services Register) https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/getting-extra-help-priority-services-register

EssexHebridean

I suspect CanNeverThink has nailed the issue here - and that it's your In Home Display that has failed?  You can get various phone apps that will let you see the data from your smart meters - Bright is one, Loop is another, and there are more to. 

If it IS the actual meter itself, then be sure it is genuinely Eon you are speaking to as there should absolutely not be a charge for replacing a faulty meter! 

MikeJXE

Cheeky51

If you have trouble getting up again don't kneel down if you have a phone with a camera 

My gas meter is on the floor outside 

I'm 82 and i use my phone to take a photo of the reading 

macman

You don't own the meter-the MAC owns it. There is never a charge for a failed meter replacement, so, as others have suggested, you are referring to the IHD, not the smart meter. You can buy your own, or just use Bright.

Spoonie_Turtle

If you can't afford an IHD and need one instead of apps, there may be charitable help available.  Try AgeUK and (based on you mentioning health conditions) any relevant links on this website https://www.disability-grants.org/

cheeky51

Thanks for all replies. I am referring to the in home display & not the outside meter. I don't have a smart phone & so can't take photos outside. I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by " just use Bright" - what is that please? I find it puzzling that the Government seem to want everyone to have a smart meter & energy companies provide them free (at least initially) but then are happy (indeed make customers) pay for their own smart meters when they fail.

MattMattMattUK

cheeky51 said:

Thanks for all replies. I am referring to the in home display & not the outside meter. I don't have a smart phone & so can't take photos outside. I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by " just use Bright" - what is that please?

Bright is an app which gives you full access to the smart meter data.

cheeky51 said:

I find it puzzling that the Government seem to want everyone to have a smart meter & energy companies provide them free (at least initially) but then are happy (indeed make customers) pay for their own smart meters when they fail.

Your smart meter has not failed, your IHD is, those are two very different things, though people often confuse them.

If you have a smart meter why are you having to kneel down outside and read the meter every month?

MikeJXE

cheeky51 said:

Thanks for all replies. I am referring to the in home display & not the outside meter. I don't have a smart phone & so can't take photos outside. I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by " just use Bright" - what is that please? I find it puzzling that the Government seem to want everyone to have a smart meter & energy companies provide them free (at least initially) but then are happy (indeed make customers) pay for their own smart meters when they fail.

If you don't have a smart phone you can't have the BRIGHT APP to help you so forget that 

The in home display is not a free supply and someone has suggested you try ageuk for one

Mstty

Hello Cheeky,

I am also with EON Next and they pointed me towards this device

https://ivie.co.uk/product/ivie-bud/

Whilst a different scenario to yours my IHD connected to my smets1 smart meter also failed but EON next will be replacing mine free of charge with a dose of Ombudsman awarded compensation as well for messing us about(story for another day when they accept the ombudsman decision)

Norman_Castle

Do Eon Next provide usage information through their online account?