Octopus: Action: Your meter is approaching its use-by date

[Deleted User]

Thanks EssexHebridean.  I'm very pleased to have had my question answered and, in the process to have learned so much more along the way.

I have lost count of, from so many MSE forums, how much has to be gained - even just browsing.  I marvel at how so many knowledgeable  people give their help so freely and generously.  I am enormously appreciative.  

Thank you everyone.

[Deleted User]

Deleted_User said:

My post has developed into something I did not envisage at all.  On Page 5 pochase answered my question.  Octopus had advised me that my electric meter was approaching the end of ifs certification date and wanted to install both an electric and a gas Smart Meter.

Pochase very helpfully provided the information that my particular electric meter does not reach the end of its certification date for another ten years yet.

On Page 6 further information demonstrated that there did not seem to be a similar 'System' of Certification dates for gas meters.

I had the answer to my question provided by pochase on page 5 and, as mentioned, I did not think my post would develop as it has.

I really am a very satisfied Octopus Energy customer.  On this occasion they wanted to install Smart Meters for electricity and gas when , for now, it seems to be unnecessary in that, in the absence of any other electricity/gas meter problems, I am, hopefully, O.K. to keep my existing 'Dumb' meters.  This is what I am happy with.

Even so, I have learned a lot on this Forum.

Have you actually asked Octopus to confirm the certification date on your meter or are you basing ‘ it seems un-necessary’ on something you have read on this forum? It is up to the supplier to determine when a meter change is legally required. As a homeowner, in meter end-of-life situations you do not get a say. Just because a meter is working: it doesn’t mean that it is recording usage within Government prescribed limits. This is the whole point of meter certification.

Would you be happy if National Grid decided that their equipment which measures the calorific value of the gas supplied to your property didn’t need replacement/recalibration as it ‘was still working’, and your supplier was charging you for gas based on a caloric value of 42.9 when the true calorific value was 37.6?

PS All gas meters have a certificated life!

[Deleted User]

Thanks for replying, Dolor.

I've decided not to contact Octopus.  I am satisfied, given the information I now have, to, in the meantime, do nothing more about it.

[Deleted User]

Deleted_User said:

Thanks for replying, Dolor.

I've decided not to contact Octopus.  I am satisfied, given the information I now have, to, in the meantime, do nothing more about it.

Your choice, but I doubt given the legal connotations that Octopus is going to give up and forget about it: the supplier has to change your meters if they are end-of-life  - via a Court Order in extremis. Why not engage with them? Octopus has the best smart meter team in the country.

My wife and I are in our 70s: smart metering works. The meters are just meters: the added value is the information that we get from them PLUS the option to buy energy at much cheaper than standard prices. Today I am paying 5.5p/kWh for gas: how much are you paying?

I know that older people are wary of change. My wife had a friend who refused to accept the analogue to digital TV change some years ago. Her resistance lasted a week! Get smart meters and, a month or so later, you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

Best of luck.

[Deleted User]

Octopus are only saying that my electric meter  is approaching its use-by date -  not my gas meter.  They are offering to replace both with Smart Meters.

I am satisfied that my electric meter's certification, lasts for another ten years.

I am not saying that I will never agree to have Smart Meters in future.  For now, I am happy and satisfied with my 'Dumb' meters and want to keep them.

2010

Deleted_User said:

Thanks for replying, Dolor.

I've decided not to contact Octopus.  I am satisfied, given the information I now have, to, in the meantime, do nothing more about it.

I have already given you my opinion earlier which is to ignore the "out-dated meter" email as it`s just a tactic to get their SM quota up for the year.
I had the same thing last year and have heard nothing since.
If Octopus really have to change your meter because it`s out-dated let them get on with it.
I`m still waiting as I`m sure you will be.

A Customer's rights:

1. To refuse to have a Smart Meter unless your existing meter is faulty or has reached the end of its certified life.
2. To refuse daily meter readings.
3. Not to agree to half-hourly readings.

A Supplier's rights:

1. Suppliers can take a monthly reading without requiring any form of consent from the customer.
2. Suppliers can take a meter reading data without a customer's consent if they suspect theft is occurring.
3. Suppliers can take a meter reading data without a customer's consent to produce a final bill if they have changed supplier.
4. Suppliers can take a meter reading data without a customer's consent to produce a final bill if the people living in a premises have changed.
5. Suppliers can take a meter reading data without a customer's consent to deal with a customer enquiry.
6. Suppliers can only take half-hourly meter readings from a customer who has explicitly said they are happy for half-hourly readings to be taken.
7. To install a certified meter to measure energy consumption. The metering may or not be Smart but as stocks of traditional meters are used up eventually only Smart Meters will be available for installation.

Read more at: https://www.smartme.co.uk/customer-rights.html © SmartMe.co.uk

EssexHebridean

Deleted_User said:

Octopus are only saying that my electric meter  is approaching its use-by date -  not my gas meter.  They are offering to replace both with Smart Meters.

I am satisfied that my electric meter's certification, lasts for another ten years.

I am not saying that I will never agree to have Smart Meters in future.  For now, I am happy and satisfied with my 'Dumb' meters and want to keep them.

That sounds perfectly reasonable to me in the circumstances. Hopefully everyone can agree that each person has to make their own decision based on what is right for them for a whole raft of reasons - not just financial ones. In this situation, you don’t currently “need” or have to do anything, after all. 🙂

ariarnia

[Deleted User] said:

PS All gas meters have a certificated life!

do you no if theres a central list somewhere online?

[Deleted User]

I would have thought that the certificated life of each installed electricity and gas meter is retained on the two National databases (MPAN and MPRN) alongside the meter serial numbers. 

There would be no point in having OPSS certification and a legal duty (The Gas and Electricity Acts) placed on suppliers to replace an end-of-life meter if no one gave a damn, and the consumer could just say ‘no’.

EssexHebridean

Someone did say that they had been unable to find evidence of a list of gas meters and dates.