Energy companies that don't charge extra for not having a smart meter

powerful_Rogue

Miss_Trollope said:

molerat said:

No one ever charged extra for not having a smart meter, you just had access to some cheaper smart meter only tariffs but most of them don't exist any more. They are limited by the price cap SVR.

Hi In the email I received from them saying they had taken over it says 'Smart customers pay less' and 'Save on your bills with our smart tariffs.'

That's true, because you have access to TOU tariffs if you have a smart meter. It's not the same as saying they charge you extra for not having a smart meter.

Why not get a smart meter?

Miss_Trollope

Qyburn said:

Getting mixed up with the higher price for non-Direct Debit payment?

No, see my comment above. I didn't realise they did that, thanks for the heads up as I cannot afford to pay by direct debit at the moment.

Spoonie_Turtle

Miss_Trollope said:

Qyburn said:

Getting mixed up with the higher price for non-Direct Debit payment?

No, see my comment above. I didn't realise they did that, thanks for the heads up as I cannot afford to pay by direct debit at the moment.

If you can't afford to pay by DD, how will you afford to pay the higher rates for non-DD payment?

You could ask for variable Direct Debit, which should be lower going into summer now, but will rise with higher usage in the winter even if the rates decrease?

Chrysalis

Miss_Trollope said:

I was with Bulb and now they have been taken over by Octopus. I am not getting a good vibe from this company and I see they charge more if you don't have a smart meter. 
Can anyone recommend a company that doesn't charge extra for not having one?
Thanks.
Miss T

They dont have a surcharge for legacy meter, but rather some tariffs are not available if you have a legacy meter, but those tariffs arent available on other suppliers anyway.  So you not losing anything.

mark_cycling00

Do you reckon I could save money via octopus if I put the dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer on at cheaper periods eg. In the night. I don't have any electric heating or water heating 

Is that how it works? It's almost what I'm doing already just due to lifestyle 

Thanks 

Ectophile

mark_cycling00 said:

Do you reckon I could save money via octopus if I put the dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer on at cheaper periods eg. In the night. I don't have any electric heating or water heating 

Is that how it works? It's almost what I'm doing already just due to lifestyle 

Thanks 

That's pretty much the point of time-of-use tariffs.  You switch your usage to a cheaper time, and save money.

But it only works if you have a smart meter.  Or in a more basic way, using Economy 7.

MalMonroe

mark_cycling00 said:

Do you reckon I could save money via octopus if I put the dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer on at cheaper periods eg. In the night. I don't have any electric heating or water heating 

Is that how it works? It's almost what I'm doing already just due to lifestyle 

Thanks 

Yes, if Octopus have stated that's the case. 

I put my dishwasher on at night but that's all. I don't want to annoy any neighbours because too many appliances on at the same time does generate a fair bit of noise. In my household, the dishwasher is the quietest out of those three.

PLUS - you're not really supposed to leave a tumble dryer running without being monitored and I'd also not want to leave a washer on by itself. I guess dishwashers should also not be left but we've been fine for the last twenty years and have a smoke detector so . ..  fingers crossed!

Of course if you're still up at night that's a different thing but I'd still not want to disturb my neighbour (just one elderly lady upstairs who has assured me she can't hear the dishwasher - it is very quiet) by having all three of those going at once.

MalMonroe

Miss_Trollope said:

molerat said:

No one ever charged extra for not having a smart meter, you just had access to some cheaper smart meter only tariffs but most of them don't exist any more. They are limited by the price cap SVR.

Hi In the email I received from them saying they had taken over it says 'Smart customers pay less' and 'Save on your bills with our smart tariffs.'

Hi, that says 'Smart customers' and not 'smart meter customers'. 

In my experience, I've been with Octopus a while now, they are no more expensive - and often cheaper - than other energy companies.

If you are having any trouble with payments at all, they do urge you to contact them. So that's what you should do. If they don't know there's a problem then they can't help you. There's a link to click on your online account. 

I don't have a smart meter either at the moment but am on the list for it to happen soon. 

I've never been penalised by Octopus for not having a smart meter. 

I think they're a good company, tbh. Better than bulb, who I was with previously (before they went bust).

mark_cycling00

The tumble dryer is heatpump, under stairs with 50cm air gap all around and an integrated smoke alarm just above.

Thankfully no appliances will annoy neighbours due to location 

macman

OP, if you are on SVT under the EPG, you will pay exactly the same whether you have a smart meter or a dumb meter.
The smart meter gives you access to the Octopus TOU tariffs, that's all.