Smart Meters - EDF -

H24b34

I keep getting pestered by EDF to change my meters over to a smart meter.  The last post says they are legally required to replace it for e (see image)
As far, as I a aware there is no legal requirement to change it unless it breaks, or I have defaulted (and they have to try to get me to rectify a bill, no less than 1o times in writing)
I have NEVER defaulted, and I provide EDF with regular meter readings.

I have no intention to change to a smart meter after all the bad press about enforced switches, auto conversion to pre-payment card, and higher bills.

Would somebody please tell me if EDF are wrong and using language to scare customers, like me, to change against our will.

Thanks.

[Deleted User]

All meters have a certificated life. When the meter reaches the end of its certification period it HAS to be replaced. Suppliers are allowed to fit smart meters to replace these meters WITHOUT the consumer’s approval. Read the highlighted paragraph below.

EssexHebridean

There is actually already a thread running on here that's covering this same subject. Ultimately the answer is that if your meter has reached end of life, then it is required to be changed, and will now almost certainly be changed for a smart meter. 

If you intend to pay your bills, and if you are unable to, would engage with the supplier to make an arrangement to pay what you could afford then you ha more to worry about with having your smart meter changed to prepayment than you have to worry about with having your existing dumb meter changed to prepayment - something which has been a possibility for exactly as long as you have been an energy account holder. 

If anything, a smart meter could enable you to get lower bills by selecting a favourable time of use tariff that would actually save you money - I'm not sure why you think a SM would mean higher bills. 

You can check on the following link what the certification period for your meter is likely to be: 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1126202/schedule-4-december-2022.pdf

mmmmikey

Hi - if you search the forum you'll see there are various other threads about this. The bottom line is yes, meters do have a lifespan and they are legally required to replace it for you. And, yes, they can replace it with a smart meter. Although it is undoubtedly true that some people have had issues, it's also true that a lot of the negative stuff you read about smart meters is just stuff and nonsense and there are many, many benefits. There's enough reading about the pros and cons of smart meters on this forum to last you a lifetime so I won't comment further here

[Deleted User]

Meter certification. This blog from Octopus Energy is worth a read:

https://octopus.energy/blog/meter-certification-date/#:~:text=In%20the%20industry%20it%27s%20called,levels%20specified%20by%20the%20OPSS.

dunstonh

As far, as I a aware there is no legal requirement to change it unless it breaks, or I have defaulted (and they have to try to get me to rectify a bill, no less than 1o times in writing)
I have NEVER defaulted, and I provide EDF with regular meter readings.

That is incorrect.  Meters do life expire and are required to be replaced when they do.

I have no intention to change to a smart meter after all the bad press about enforced switches, auto conversion to pre-payment card, and higher bills.

Most of that is BS or linking cause and effect to one specific thing.
a) bills will not be higher as a smart reader takes your readings but your tariff remains the same.
b) you wont be moved to pre-payment if you pay your bills.

Rocketeer

mmmmikey said:

Hi - if you search the forum you'll see there are various other threads about this. The bottom line is yes, meters do have a lifespan and they are legally required to replace it for you.

This what I love about this MSE forum. People willing to help and give you a straight answer - even if it's not what you wanted to hear. I be booking an appointment then.

Afourteen

As far as I'm concerned EDF are extremely flexible with what they tell customers. I mistakenly signed up with them 2 years ago on a deal via MSE who then told me that the deal was a Smart Meter one. tried to get out of the contract in the cooling off period and they wouldn't let me go. They also said the Smart Meter conversion wasn't necessary and the charges would remain the same. 
I'd been pestered for months to arrange a date to have a meter fitted. They have sent people out twice to fit a meter - first bloke wouldn't as he wasn't confident, the second chap didn't have the right meter. They rang again to arrange a date when I was involved in a zoom conference, asked them to ring back the following evening. Never heard a word from them since. Now I'm getting treating letters about back payments.
Contract ends this week. Off to octopus ASAP.

jrawle

H24b34 said:

[...]
Would somebody please tell me if EDF are wrong and using language to scare customers, like me, to change against our will.
[...]

There is a "^" which presumably indicates a footnote or disclaimer. What does this say? Maybe that it's not actually a legal requirement unless your meter is EOL. Always read the small print!

Check the type of meter you currently have, then look at the last column in this document to find its certification period.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1156107/schedule-4-may-2023.pdf

Your current meter will also have the date it was installed on it. Then you can tell whether or not EDF are telling porkies just to meet their target for smart meter installations.

MattMattMattUK

Afourteen said:

As far as I'm concerned EDF are extremely flexible with what they tell customers. I mistakenly signed up with them 2 years ago on a deal via MSE who then told me that the deal was a Smart Meter one. tried to get out of the contract in the cooling off period and they wouldn't let me go. They also said the Smart Meter conversion wasn't necessary and the charges would remain the same. 
I'd been pestered for months to arrange a date to have a meter fitted. They have sent people out twice to fit a meter - first bloke wouldn't as he wasn't confident, the second chap didn't have the right meter. They rang again to arrange a date when I was involved in a zoom conference, asked them to ring back the following evening. Never heard a word from them since. Now I'm getting treating letters about back payments.
Contract ends this week. Off to octopus ASAP.

Your transfer will be blocked if you have a debt issue that is unresolved. 

CSI_Yorkshire

jrawle said:

H24b34 said:

[...]
Would somebody please tell me if EDF are wrong and using language to scare customers, like me, to change against our will.
[...]

There is a "^" which presumably indicates a footnote or disclaimer. What does this say? Maybe that it's not actually a legal requirement unless your meter is EOL. Always read the small print!

Check the type of meter you currently have, then look at the last column in this document to find its certification period.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1156107/schedule-4-may-2023.pdf

Your current meter will also have the date it was installed on it. Then you can tell whether or not EDF are telling porkies just to meet their target for smart meter installations.

Of course, given the hassle people give the suppliers when they suggest a meter change, and how long it actually takes people to agree, "approaching end of life" needs to be about a five year window.