Energy company are forcing me to replace my meter

TELLIT01

BG actually tried it on with me.  I had a text saying they were in my area and would be calling to install smart meters on a certain date and time.  Nothing suggesting I could decline, but a link to change the date and time.  I had to go through all the faff of trying to get them on the phone as (a) I don't particularly want them and (b) the date range given was for a period I would be in hospital or at home recuperating.  The main isolator switch is at the back of our understairs cupboard and I don't suppose the installer would be too happy about having to remove everything either.

LV_426

Alfrescodave said:

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.

I am inclined to leave this for now, as hopefully we'll be moving. The new owners may not even be with the same supplier (probably doesn't matter though). In any case, it'll be their decision on whether to switch out the meter.

FFHillbilly

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.

It's definitely something they have just made up, to help them meet their targets of installing so many smart meters. I too have resisted thus far because I want assurance that the smart meter that gets fitted is compatible with all energy providers (admittedly that seems to be less of an issue since the energy crisis killed off all the little companies, the remaining big ones all seem to use the same meters now) and will have a decent life. I just have no time to be waiting in all day between 8-5 for an engineer to "attempt" to do the job, and then have to do that again when I change supplier, and again when they decide that "SMET 2" is being replaced with "SMET 3" etc. I am happy to read the meter every month I'm used to it tat seems to be less of an issue.
I got a message telling me my gas meter was reaching the end of it's life last year, ignored it and have heard nothing since. 

another approach I have noticed is the "help the world" angle, and I've received a few messages saying if I get a smart meter I'm doing my bit for the planet. In theory if the nation all had smart meters, the national grid would be able to manage the power supply more efficiently, producing less carbon emissions and apparently passing the savings onto the consumers. I don't disagree with any of that, but the passing on of savings I can't see and again I don't really disagree with that if they want to spend millions fitting smart meters surely they are entitled to something in return

what will make me switch to a smart meter is when I get solar panels fitted and a battery which will probably be soon, because without a smart meter you can't get the best tariffs.

LV_426

FFHillbilly 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.

It's definitely something they have just made up, to help them meet their targets of installing so many smart meters. I too have resisted thus far because I want assurance that the smart meter that gets fitted is compatible with all energy providers (admittedly that seems to be less of an issue since the energy crisis killed off all the little companies, the remaining big ones all seem to use the same meters now) and will have a decent life. I just have no time to be waiting in all day between 8-5 for an engineer to "attempt" to do the job, and then have to do that again when I change supplier, and again when they decide that "SMET 2" is being replaced with "SMET 3" etc. I am happy to read the meter every month I'm used to it tat seems to be less of an issue.
I got a message telling me my gas meter was reaching the end of it's life last year, ignored it and have heard nothing since. 

another approach I have noticed is the "help the world" angle, and I've received a few messages saying if I get a smart meter I'm doing my bit for the planet. In theory if the nation all had smart meters, the national grid would be able to manage the power supply more efficiently, producing less carbon emissions and apparently passing the savings onto the consumers. I don't disagree with any of that, but the passing on of savings I can't see and again I don't really disagree with that if they want to spend millions fitting smart meters surely they are entitled to something in return

what will make me switch to a smart meter is when I get solar panels fitted and a battery which will probably be soon, because without a smart meter you can't get the best tariffs.

All good points. I did wonder if this certification thing is a BS excuse to coerce people to switching out their meter.
Think I'll leave it for now and let the new owner decide.

Money_Grabber13579

FFHillbilly 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.

It's definitely something they have just made up, to help them meet their targets of installing so many smart meters. I too have resisted thus far because I want assurance that the smart meter that gets fitted is compatible with all energy providers (admittedly that seems to be less of an issue since the energy crisis killed off all the little companies, the remaining big ones all seem to use the same meters now) and will have a decent life. I just have no time to be waiting in all day between 8-5 for an engineer to "attempt" to do the job, and then have to do that again when I change supplier, and again when they decide that "SMET 2" is being replaced with "SMET 3" etc. I am happy to read the meter every month I'm used to it tat seems to be less of an issue.
I got a message telling me my gas meter was reaching the end of it's life last year, ignored it and have heard nothing since. 

another approach I have noticed is the "help the world" angle, and I've received a few messages saying if I get a smart meter I'm doing my bit for the planet. In theory if the nation all had smart meters, the national grid would be able to manage the power supply more efficiently, producing less carbon emissions and apparently passing the savings onto the consumers. I don't disagree with any of that, but the passing on of savings I can't see and again I don't really disagree with that if they want to spend millions fitting smart meters surely they are entitled to something in return

what will make me switch to a smart meter is when I get solar panels fitted and a battery which will probably be soon, because without a smart meter you can't get the best tariffs.

It’s definitely not something that is made up. Meters have a limited lifespan and they replace them every x number of years so they can be sure that they remain accurate and are billing for the correct energy used. I’ve had my gas meter replaced after 10 years and my parents have had their electricity meter replaced (possibly after 25 years).

I’m in Northern Ireland and we don’t have any smart meters so the justification for replacing the meters was purely to ensure accuracy of the meters.

Yorkie1

There is a distinction between the meter having to be replaced because it has reached the end of its certification period (which has been around for decades), and the pressure from energy companies to replace a non-smart meter with a smart one because they have targets to meet.

Do not get the two mixed up. For the former, they can force entry. For the latter, they can't.

If you are getting pressure from the supplier, check with them what the actual position is rather than taking categorical assertions from those of us on the internet who don't know for sure in your position.

ashe

Never ceases to amaze me how much effort people put into resisting smart meters especially as prices have rocketed. 

LV_426

ashe said:

Never ceases to amaze me how much effort people put into resisting smart meters especially as prices have rocketed. 

Just out of interest, how does it save you money? Unless I'd be on a cheaper tariff with the new meter?

MattMattMattUK

LV_426 said:

ashe said:

Never ceases to amaze me how much effort people put into resisting smart meters especially as prices have rocketed. 

Just out of interest, how does it save you money? Unless I'd be on a cheaper tariff with the new meter?

Two reasons, the first is that it generally, although not always, makes it easier to monitor usage which does help some people. The other is that one can then access ToU tariffs, which for some can represent significant savings. 

GingerTim

LV_426 said:

FFHillbilly 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.

It's definitely something they have just made up, to help them meet their targets of installing so many smart meters. I too have resisted thus far because I want assurance that the smart meter that gets fitted is compatible with all energy providers (admittedly that seems to be less of an issue since the energy crisis killed off all the little companies, the remaining big ones all seem to use the same meters now) and will have a decent life. I just have no time to be waiting in all day between 8-5 for an engineer to "attempt" to do the job, and then have to do that again when I change supplier, and again when they decide that "SMET 2" is being replaced with "SMET 3" etc. I am happy to read the meter every month I'm used to it tat seems to be less of an issue.
I got a message telling me my gas meter was reaching the end of it's life last year, ignored it and have heard nothing since. 

another approach I have noticed is the "help the world" angle, and I've received a few messages saying if I get a smart meter I'm doing my bit for the planet. In theory if the nation all had smart meters, the national grid would be able to manage the power supply more efficiently, producing less carbon emissions and apparently passing the savings onto the consumers. I don't disagree with any of that, but the passing on of savings I can't see and again I don't really disagree with that if they want to spend millions fitting smart meters surely they are entitled to something in return

what will make me switch to a smart meter is when I get solar panels fitted and a battery which will probably be soon, because without a smart meter you can't get the best tariffs.

All good points. I did wonder if this certification thing is a BS excuse to coerce people to switching out their meter.
Think I'll leave it for now and let the new owner decide.

It's really not 'just made up' or 'a BS excuse' at all. When a meter's certification period has expired it is a requirement that it is replaced - and it will be with a smart meter.

You can check the certification period of your meter here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1126202/schedule-4-december-2022.pdf