Energy company are forcing me to replace my meter

[Deleted User]

It has been a requirement since 1989 (and possibly longer) that all meters used for billing are certified.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electricity-meter-certification

In 2019, the Government agreed that suppliers have the legal right to fit a smart meter in end-of-life situations WITHOUT the consumer’s approval. Meters are owned by Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) but suppliers take on the management responsibility for all properties that they supply. As we are moving towards a 100% smart metered Grid, why would MAPs offer analogue meters from a bygone era when smart meters are now available?

 

Sterlingtimes

Imagine a situation where a house owner actively resists replacing a time-expired meter. The meter then burns the house owner's house down. Would the insurance company payout given that the house owner set up a potentially dangerous situation?

[Deleted User]

Sterlingtimes said:

Imagine a situation where a house owner actively resists replacing a time-expired meter. The meter then burns the house owner's house down. Would the insurance company payout given that the house owner set up a potentially dangerous situation?

That is a bit extreme. I doubt that anyone thinks that a meter outside of its certification period is dangerous: the issue is one of accuracy. 

Would consumers be happy if they thought that they were buying a 1Kg prime roast from their local butcher to find that when they got it home it only weighed 900gms? This is what certification and in-use testing of meters is all about.

matt_drummer

They are not forcing you to change your meter, I doubt you even have your own meter.

They are informing you that they are going to replace their meter.

A subtle but important difference.

Qyburn

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?

It saves me over 50% compared to this time last year.

LV_426

Qyburn said:

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?

It saves me over 50% compared to this time last year.

Interesting. What changes made that saving possible?

[Deleted User]

Interesting. What changes made that saving possible?

Smart meter tariffs such as Octopus Agile and Tracker. My Tracker gas today is 3.6p/kWh. These were the Agile prices on Sunday:

km1500

meter certification is all about accuracy and nothing else

they are certified that they can read accurately for a number of years - after that they are not guaranteed to give accurate readings and your billing could be incorrect

Qyburn

LV_426 said:

Qyburn said:

It saves me over 50% compared to this time last year.

Interesting. What changes made that saving possible?

Some  of the savings came from reducing consumption, not impossible without a Smart Meter but a lot easier if you can see your detailed data almost live. The rest of the saving came from a tariff only available if you have a Smart Meter. 

Swipe

LV_426 said:

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?

I'd leave it to the new owner, one less thing to go wrong.