Energy company are forcing me to replace my meter

LV_426

My energy supplier has sent me a message to say that my electricity meter is reaching the end of its certification period. They want to replace it with a smart meter. I've so far resisted their nagging to do this, but the new twist is the certification period. Can they force this replacement, is what they say true about certification true? What are the consequences of using an 'uncertified' meter?

mr_stripey

Basically - yes they can. It is their meter, not yours

Meters do have a certified life. The supplier will replace it.

It will be replaced with a smart meter, since the old style ones are not made any more

Also - what is the reason for your reluctance to have the meter replaced? 

Grenage

You might as well get with the times on this.  There aren't many good reasons for not switching; my energy tariff is cheaper because I have them.

FreeBear

mr_stripey said:

Basically - yes they can. It is their meter, not yours

Meters do have a certified life. The supplier will replace it.

It will be replaced with a smart meter, since the old style ones are not made any more

And the energy supplier could go to court to get a warrant to gain entry (with a locksmith if needed), and bill you for their costs. Admittedly, a worst case scenario, and a power rarely used - Usually, a warrant is obtained to force a prepayment meter on a user that has run up considerable debt.

LV_426

I am hopefully moving house in the short term. Is it best to get this done before I move, or leave it to the new owner?

FreeBear

Have a smart meter fitted now, and your supplier can generate an accurate bill when you leave. Without a smart meter, you need to take a meter reading on the day of moving out, and ideally, take a photo of it (still worth doing even if a smart meter is fitted). One less thing to worry about in the chaos of moving.

Leave it for the next owner, and they can worry about taking time off work on the day the meter is fitted.

TELLIT01

That's the first I've heard about certification periods for meters.  We've been in our house 35 years and still have the original meter.  Seems more like a cunning plan dreamt up by the utility companies to force people down the smart meter route so they can hit their targets.

FreeBear

TELLIT01 said:

That's the first I've heard about certification periods for meters.  We've been in our house 35 years and still have the original meter.  Seems more like a cunning plan dreamt up by the utility companies to force people down the smart meter route so they can hit their targets.

Utility companies have been required to fit/use certified meters for as long as I can remember - There is usually a date on the meter (or on a tag) stating when the meter needs to be recertified. The legislation was introduced long before smart meters were even thought about.

Yorkie1

FreeBear said:

TELLIT01 said:

That's the first I've heard about certification periods for meters.  We've been in our house 35 years and still have the original meter.  Seems more like a cunning plan dreamt up by the utility companies to force people down the smart meter route so they can hit their targets.

Utility companies have been required to fit/use certified meters for as long as I can remember - There is usually a date on the meter (or on a tag) stating when the meter needs to be recertified. The legislation was introduced long before smart meters were even thought about.

Indeed. I can remember having my electricity meter replaced when it reached the end of its certification period perhaps 20 years ago.

mr_stripey

TELLIT01 said:

That's the first I've heard about certification periods for meters.  We've been in our house 35 years and still have the original meter.  Seems more like a cunning plan dreamt up by the utility companies to force people down the smart meter route so they can hit their targets.

Give them a call - they'll come install a shiny new meter!

Alfrescodave

Eventually we will all have to have Smart meters but if you're not convinced its a good idea then ignore them. I had a similar notification from my supplier 12 months ago and ignored them and nothing has happened.