Old electricity meter humming

longwalks1

We’ve got an old electricity meter in our 1930’s house which I use to submit meter readings once a month, it’s recently started making a humming sound.  It must be a mechanical vibration within the unit because if you touch/gently tap the meter it stops. Only to start a few minutes/hours later.

will I be forced to get a smart meter if I report it to my energy provider?  Every time I log on to submit a reading every single screen you click through is as good as forcing a smart meter on you

thanks in advance 

GingerTim

If the meter has to be replaced, except in a vanishingly small number of cases, you will be given a smart meter as that's all that's available.

Alnat1

What if the vibration is causing your meter to record more units than you're actually using and is costing you more money?

Meters don't get repaired, they get replaced. Yes, all new meters are smart meters, that's all they make now. What is it about a smart meter that worries you?

Swipe

longwalks1 said:

will I be forced to get a smart meter if I report it to my energy provider?  

Yes, unless it is annoying to you, I wouldn't report it if you'd rather not have a smart meter. My ancient mechanical meter also ran slower than my replacement smart meter so any vibration would probably work in your favour too.

CSI_Yorkshire

Swipe said:

longwalks1 said:

will I be forced to get a smart meter if I report it to my energy provider?  

Yes, unless it is annoying to you, I wouldn't report it if you'd rather not have a smart meter. My ancient mechanical meter also ran slower than my replacement smart meter so any vibration would probably work in your favour too.

Anecdote =/= evidence.

One example =/= probably

Swipe

CSI_Yorkshire said:

Swipe said:

longwalks1 said:

will I be forced to get a smart meter if I report it to my energy provider?  

Yes, unless it is annoying to you, I wouldn't report it if you'd rather not have a smart meter. My ancient mechanical meter also ran slower than my replacement smart meter so any vibration would probably work in your favour too.

Anecdote =/= evidence.

One example =/= probably

Vibration = friction

UncleK

Could be it just doesn't know the words.................?

GenieBoy

GingerTim said:

If the meter has to be replaced, except in a vanishingly small number of cases, you will be given a smart meter as that's all that's available.

Alnat1 said:

What if the vibration is causing your meter to record more units than you're actually using and is costing you more money?

Meters don't get repaired, they get replaced. Yes, all new meters are smart meters, that's all they make now. What is it about a smart meter that worries you?

Don't give fake information. If you don't want a smart meter then tell them so.

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/do-i-have-to-accept-a-smart-meter-aLLKl9O63dbM

CSI_Yorkshire

GenieBoy said:

GingerTim said:

If the meter has to be replaced, except in a vanishingly small number of cases, you will be given a smart meter as that's all that's available.

Alnat1 said:

What if the vibration is causing your meter to record more units than you're actually using and is costing you more money?

Meters don't get repaired, they get replaced. Yes, all new meters are smart meters, that's all they make now. What is it about a smart meter that worries you?

Don't give fake information. If you don't want a smart meter then tell them so.

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/do-i-have-to-accept-a-smart-meter-aLLKl9O63dbM

You can, but they can ignore you and fit one anyway.

GingerTim

GenieBoy said:

GingerTim said:

If the meter has to be replaced, except in a vanishingly small number of cases, you will be given a smart meter as that's all that's available.

Alnat1 said:

What if the vibration is causing your meter to record more units than you're actually using and is costing you more money?

Meters don't get repaired, they get replaced. Yes, all new meters are smart meters, that's all they make now. What is it about a smart meter that worries you?

Don't give fake information. If you don't want a smart meter then tell them so.

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/do-i-have-to-accept-a-smart-meter-aLLKl9O63dbM

The Which article isn't really relevant here and it's you who is at risk of offering false information and false hope. The article only covers the scenario of being offered a smart meter and your right to refuse (for now, eventually everyone will have one). 

As @Alnat1 and I correctly pointed out, if the dumb meter has to replaced, because it's faulty or its certification has expired, it will be with a smart meter whether you like it or not.

GenieBoy

GingerTim said:

GenieBoy said:

GingerTim said:

If the meter has to be replaced, except in a vanishingly small number of cases, you will be given a smart meter as that's all that's available.

Alnat1 said:

What if the vibration is causing your meter to record more units than you're actually using and is costing you more money?

Meters don't get repaired, they get replaced. Yes, all new meters are smart meters, that's all they make now. What is it about a smart meter that worries you?

Don't give fake information. If you don't want a smart meter then tell them so.

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/do-i-have-to-accept-a-smart-meter-aLLKl9O63dbM

And when the dumb meter has to be replaced, and there's only smart meters available to replace it with, what then?

How do you know standard meters aren't being made or not available? Even my sparky says he can still get them, those little white box type with lcd screen.