Smart meter impasse

Sarahspangles

Two years ago we had smart meters fitted, the gas meter failed to ever communicate and a couple of months ago another replacement meter was fitted. This also isn’t communicating so we’re still getting estimated bills.

So Energy are now telling us that they’re reliant on a change in legislation in 2025 to make the meter work. Is this utter BS?

It’s not actually onerous to submit a reading every month but I’ve had to clear my work diary five times for engineer visits, one of which took three hours and another two, plus we were told by one engineer that the electricity meter wasn’t safely installed so we had that worry until the next one said this was BS. So it would be nice if the thing actually worked.

matt_drummer

Why don't you just submit meter readings yourself?

How did your supplier get your meter readings before you had smart meters fitted?

Do you know how close your estimated bills are to your actual usage?

Despite the time taken for engineer visits, it surely would not take very long to read your meters, we're all busy but I can't see anybody being so busy that they can't jot down a few numbers from an energy meter.

In any case, even if your smart meters were working, it's probably a good idea to check the meter periodically just to make sure that the readings match your bills..

QrizB

Sarahspangles said:

So Energy are now telling us that they’re reliant on a change in legislation in 2025 to make the meter work. Is this utter BS?

I've not heard of anything along this lines. Maybe you could ask them exactly what change they're waiting for?

inspectorperez

Just a passing observation harking back to "the old days". In the 50s, 60s and I daresay 70s, home occupiers just relied on the meter man turning up, doing his job, and a bill was raised several days later. Consumer did nothing other than allow access to meter location. Move on swiftly to the 21st century and you have thread upon thread about metering arrangements. And this is progress?

Why should there be such a thing as smart meter impasse in this day and age? It just seems so disingenuous.

matt_drummer

inspectorperez said:

Just a passing observation harking back to "the old days". In the 50s, 60s and I daresay 70s, home occupiers just relied on the meter man turning up, doing his job, and a bill was raised several days later. Consumer did nothing other than allow access to meter location. Move on swiftly to the 21st century and you have thread upon thread about metering arrangements. And this is progress?

Why should there be such a thing as smart meter impasse in this day and age? It just seems so disingenuous.

There isn't an `impasse'

The gas meter is probably too far away from the electricity meter or obscured in some way that they won't communicate.

I have heard that improvements will be made to the gas meters, probably in 2025, to make the distance and /or obstructions less of an issue.

Until then, the OP has meters just like they had before and are no worse off.

They will just have to read the gas meter periodically and submit readings to their supplier just as they did before the smart meters were fitted.

Not really a big deal unless the home owner wants to make it one.

Sarahspangles

matt_drummer said:

Why don't you just submit meter readings yourself?

How did your supplier get your meter readings before you had smart meters fitted?

Do you know how close your estimated bills are to your actual usage?

Despite the time taken for engineer visits, it surely would not take very long to read your meters, we're all busy but I can't see anybody being so busy that they can't jot down a few numbers from an energy meter.

In any case, even if your smart meters were working, it's probably a good idea to check the meter periodically just to make sure that the readings match your bills.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect a smart meter to work, and I have better uses for my time.

inspectorperez

matt_drummer said:

inspectorperez said:

Just a passing observation harking back to "the old days". In the 50s, 60s and I daresay 70s, home occupiers just relied on the meter man turning up, doing his job, and a bill was raised several days later. Consumer did nothing other than allow access to meter location. Move on swiftly to the 21st century and you have thread upon thread about metering arrangements. And this is progress?

Why should there be such a thing as smart meter impasse in this day and age? It just seems so disingenuous.

There isn't an `impasse'

The gas meter is probably too far away from the electricity meter or obscured in some way that they won't communicate.

I have heard that improvements will be made to the gas meters, probably in 2025, to make the distance and /or obstructions less of an issue.

Until then, the OP has meters just like they had before and are no worse off.

They will just have to read the gas meter periodically and submit readings to their supplier just as they did before the smart meters were fitted.

Not really a big deal unless the home owner wants to make it one.

To make the system work like it did in 1950?

Sarahspangles

inspectorperez said:

Just a passing observation harking back to "the old days". In the 50s, 60s and I daresay 70s, home occupiers just relied on the meter man turning up, doing his job, and a bill was raised several days later. Consumer did nothing other than allow access to meter location. Move on swiftly to the 21st century and you have thread upon thread about metering arrangements. And this is progress?

Why should there be such a thing as smart meter impasse in this day and age? It just seems so disingenuous.

Exactly. In fact the meter guy turned up on the day we moved in, which was less than ten years ago. This probably wasn’t sustainable but the replacement arrangements aren’t working either. We’ve never had a working IHD, nor have either set of parents nor has there been one that would connect in any of my offsprings’ multiple student houses. But at least they (mostly) sent the reading to the billing company. It’s a joke.

matt_drummer

Sarahspangles said:

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect a smart meter to work, and I have better uses for my time.

Sometimes it's not possible, what do you want them to do about it?

If they come back and put your old meters back in you'll be in exactly the same position you are now.

What are you looking for?

matt_drummer

inspectorperez said:

matt_drummer said:

inspectorperez said:

Just a passing observation harking back to "the old days". In the 50s, 60s and I daresay 70s, home occupiers just relied on the meter man turning up, doing his job, and a bill was raised several days later. Consumer did nothing other than allow access to meter location. Move on swiftly to the 21st century and you have thread upon thread about metering arrangements. And this is progress?

Why should there be such a thing as smart meter impasse in this day and age? It just seems so disingenuous.

There isn't an `impasse'

The gas meter is probably too far away from the electricity meter or obscured in some way that they won't communicate.

I have heard that improvements will be made to the gas meters, probably in 2025, to make the distance and /or obstructions less of an issue.

Until then, the OP has meters just like they had before and are no worse off.

They will just have to read the gas meter periodically and submit readings to their supplier just as they did before the smart meters were fitted.

Not really a big deal unless the home owner wants to make it one.

To make the system work like it did in 1950?

My favourite saying on here,

`if it ain't broke, don't fix it!'

lohr500

1st world problem.

How long does it take to submit your gas meter reading every now and then?
Your choice. Accept estimates or submit readings. 

If it was your electricity meter that wasn't communicating and as a result excluding you from accessing the range of smart meter tariffs on offer from several suppliers, then I could understand your frustration.