PROVE MY METER DOESN'T WORK?

greystew

I've been hounded by my supplier EDF via email, sms & telephone to switch my old meters to smart devices. I don't want this and have refused EDF time. 
Now I receive emails telling me that my meters are too old and must be changed. I have not replied to these. Last night, I got a call asking me to set a date for the replacing of my meters. After a long call, I was assured that I would get analogue meters - like for like. Today I recieved an email confirming the appointment is to fit smart meters...
Must I allow this? I feel that edf are forcing this upon us, by lie or untruth. 
Please - stick to my question and avoid the debate on toys subject Tywardreath occurs resulting in a question going unanswered 😊. 

powerful_Rogue

greystew said:

I've been hounded by my supplier EDF via email, sms & telephone to switch my old meters to smart devices. I don't want this and have refused EDF time. 
Now I receive emails telling me that my meters are too old and must be changed. I have not replied to these. Last night, I got a call asking me to set a date for the replacing of my meters. After a long call, I was assured that I would get analogue meters - like for like. Today I recieved an email confirming the appointment is to fit smart meters...
Must I allow this? I feel that edf are forcing this upon us, by lie or untruth. 
Please - stick to my question and avoid the debate on toys subject Tywardreath occurs resulting in a question going unanswered 😊. 

For a start, they are not your meters. They belong to the energy company.

Very unlikely they will be replaced with analogue meters. They are no longer produced and probably no stock of them around anywhere.

If the meters are end of life and you don't allow them access, they can get a warrant to force entry and fit them.

DE_612183

why have people got such a hang up about smart meters?

they must have the internet in some description to post - so what's the difference?

Alnat1

Yes, the energy company is allowed to change their meters to smart meters. They are not your meters.

Every meter has an expiry date, after which time the manufacturer cannot guarantee it is correctly measuring the energy. Your supplier has the right to change the meters to modern smart meters.

Mobtr

Why do you not want smart meters? 

[Deleted User]

BEIS, that is the Government, agreed in 2019 that suppliers can fit smart meters when an existing meter is deemed to be end-of-life without getting the consumer's approval. This was a pragmatic decision given the Meter Asset Providers are no longer offering analogue meters to the suppliers. It follows that over time the UK will move towards 100% smart metering come what may.

At the moment, requests for smart meters is outstripping the ability of suppliers to install them. That said, France and Germany have made or are about to make smart meters compulsory. Personally, I have no doubt that the UK will follow. Like it or not, the UK needs a smart grid to cope with variable renewable energy supply. Smart meters have a role to play in managing the Grid.

QrizB

greystew said:

Must I allow this?

The simple answer is yes, you must, for all the reasons given in the other replies above.

lohr500

DE_612183 said:

why have people got such a hang up about smart meters?

they must have the internet in some description to post - so what's the difference?

Question for the original poster. As per DE_612183's comments, what is your objection to a smart meter?

theoretica

What are the dates on your meters?  You could look up the lifespan of the models and confirm if they are indeed old.  But if they are you need to permit replacement with modern meters, and that means smart ones.

[Deleted User]

Updating myself on what has been posted, the title of this thread is very misleading - 

PROVE MY METER DOESN'T WORK?

The whole point of meter certification is that, based on initial and in use testing, the Government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is giving suppliers and consumers confidence that the meter used for billing is measuring energy usage within the agreed accuracy standards. It has nothing to do with a meter working as such.

The supplier is under no obligation to prove anything to a consumer. The meters are owned by a Meter Asset Provider and the supplier takes over responsibility for the meter assets on a switch. End-of life dates are obtained from a National Database updated by OPSS.

WBCPB

Put in a written complaint stating you were lied to by the C.S agent ( all calls are recorded ), you will get maybe £25 to go away and enjoy your new smart meters.