Octopus ignoring existing customers: No deals unless SMART meters installed!

ASDA_PAYG_block_DEC

Nice for Octopus NOT to let customers know in ADVANCE that, when their current fixed deals expires, there are NO new fixed tariffs available (only the so-called FLEXIBLE) unless they have SMART meters installed.

So, as their customers will NOT have time to get dual fuel smart meters installed on time, they will have only one option: "Flexible Octopus" which is currently set to the current OFGEM Price Cap (approx.)

So their loyal customers don't get any benefits (certainty of bills) and are treated the same as new customers who cannot get anything else but "Flexible Octopus" variable rate based on the wholesale prices. 

Ofgem "Energy unit price for price cap from 1 July 2023"

Electricity  per KWh £0.30

Daily standing chge: £0.53

Gas / per KWh £0.08 

Daily std charge £0.29

QrizB

Sigh. Why can't people post in a single thread rather than gumming up the forum like this?

ASDA_PAYG_block_DEC said:

Nice for Octopus NOT to let customers know in ADVANCE that, when their current fixed deals expires, there are NO new fixed tariffs available (only the so-called FLEXIBLE) unless they have SMART meters installed.

Until recently (last month), Octopus didn't have any fixed tariff offers.

The requirement for smart meters on Tracker has existed for months now has been discussed extensively on the forum, and is highlighted on Octopus's website.

Fixed tariff T&Cs from many of the other large suppliers also require smart meters.

ASDA_PAYG_block_DEC said:

So, as their customers will NOT have time to get dual fuel smart meters installed on time, they will have only one option: "Flexible Octopus" which is currently set to the current OFGEM Price Cap

Most households already have smart meters. If you don't, despite all the advertising campaigns and Octopus's own encouragements, that is probably your own problem.

ASDA_PAYG_block_DEC said:

So their loyal customers don't get any benefit and are treated as new customers who cannot get anything else but "Flexible Octopus" variable rate based on the wholesale prices.

Do you have any particular objection to Flexible Octopus? I suspect it's the most popular of Octopus's current tariffs.

ASDA_PAYG_block_DEC said:

Ofgem "Energy unit price for price cap from 1 July 2023"

Electricity  per KWh £0.30

Daily standing chge: £0.53

Gas / per KWh £0.08 

Daily std charge £0.29

Ofgem's price cap varies significantly by region and payment method. Quoting the national DD average is not particularly helpful.

ASDA_PAYG_block_DEC

It's not a question, it's a statement/warning for any Octopus customer getting to the end of their current contract as, of today, there are NO fixed deal/plan anywhere.

Uswitch check:

We don’t have any plans available at the moment. We’ll let you know as soon as we do.

We’re working hard to bring you more energy savings soon. Keep an eye on your inbox for new deal alerts.

QrizB

ASDA_PAYG_block_DEC said:

It's not a question, it's a statement/warning for any Octopus customer getting to the end of their current contract as, of today, there are NO fixed deal/plan anywhere.

As the previous reply says, there are fixed deals to be had (there's a thread here all about them). But be aware that most of them are very similar to the SVT. The fix gives you peace of mind, not savings.

There are several active threads where Octopus customers are eagerly discussing the options open to them.

ASDA_PAYG_block_DEC said:

Uswitch check:

We don’t have any plans available at the moment. We’ll let you know as soon as we do.

Energy providers aren't paying referral fees to switching sites, so switching sites aren't listing their deals. That doesn't mean you can't switch.

ASDA_PAYG_block_DEC

Thank you for helping a "newbie"
but please, don't be too quick to judge
as our requirement for smart meters have been "noted"
by Octopus in October 2022 with no further details:
We just requested for a mobile signal test, perhaps before they start installing:

Hi Octopus Smart Meter team

We always wanted a smart meter to monitor our high electricity use BUT: 
a) We have no mobile signal in our terraced house cellar where our current electricity and gas meters are located
b) The meters are located below ground in the middle of the house with no access to external walls to the front or the back of the house
c) When I used to work for SSE, I could read on the internal "social" network that there were terrible difficulties trying to fix communications in such cases
...
This explain why we cannot book an appointment for a smart meter without some initial investigation or some proof that the technology has improved somehow so as not to waste everyone time.
...

Scot_39

mortgageFTB said:

What’s your question?

Get a smart meter if you want access to other tariffs or move supplier.

Octopus are not the only supplier who need a Smart Meter - or the agreement to fit a Smart Meter - to access non SVT tariffs - like fixes.

I saw a post re EOnNext V4 saying the same thing.  Well actually "have or agree to have fitted" in that case.

I am sure they and Octopus wont be the only ones using this new carrot approach - now that a near decade of "gentle persuassion" has left the industry well behind roll out targets.

Scot_39

ASDA_PAYG_block_DEC said:

Thank you for helping a "newbie"
but please, don't be too quick to judge
as our requirement for smart meters have been "noted"
by Octopus in October 2022 with no further details:
We just requested for a mobile signal test, perhaps before they start installing:

Hi Octopus Smart Meter team

We always wanted a smart meter to monitor our high electricity use BUT: 
a) We have no mobile signal in our terraced house cellar where our current electricity and gas meters are located
b) The meters are located below ground in the middle of the house with no access to external walls to the front or the back of the house
c) When I used to work for SSE, I could read on the internal "social" network that there were terrible difficulties trying to fix communications in such cases
...
This explain why we cannot book an appointment for a smart meter without some initial investigation or some proof that the technology has improved somehow so as not to waste everyone time.
...

have you asked if the supplier can provide you with an external antennae smart meter.  Might well solve the WAN if not the HAN issue if have one - if can place suitably.

They are not unheard of in UK - and not that uncommon in other countries - like USA.

IIRC - think I have even seen a couple of photos in this forum - but admittedly not the full blown long distance wiring / for external wall mounting.

[Deleted User]

have you asked if the supplier can provide you with an external antennae smart meter.  Might well solve the WAN if not the HAN issue if have one - if can place suitably.

May not be needed. All comms hubs have a built in MESH facility which the DCC can activate. Provided there are 4 or more smart meters that are able to MESH together data can be passed across the network to the supplier. I believe that the DCC has already designated some areas as requiring MESH due to mobile comms issues.

As many suppliers are failing to reach their smart meter installation targets (with the possibility of a fine), I suspect that the focus is on getting smart meters into places where they will work.

beckstar1975

I have been with Octopus for at over 3 years and have had my name down for a smart meter for over a year and my fixed rate tariff is coming to an end in October.

I am a tad annoyed that I'm going to be restricted in what I can take from them going forward given that the hold up in installing a smart meter is not for wont of me trying.

I've just registered my interest again in the hope I might get to the top of the list at some point

brook_heather

beckstar1975 said:

I have been with Octopus for at over 3 years and have had my name down for a smart meter for over a year and my fixed rate tariff is coming to an end in October.

Did you "register your interest" on the website - I did the same as I needed a gas smart meter installed - never heard anything so after a year I emailed Octopus directly and CS arranged for their installer to contact me - I had the meter installed a few weeks later so worth emailing them rather than waiting.

[Deleted User]

beckstar1975 said:

I have been with Octopus for at over 3 years and have had my name down for a smart meter for over a year and my fixed rate tariff is coming to an end in October.

I am a tad annoyed that I'm going to be restricted in what I can take from them going forward given that the hold up in installing a smart meter is not for wont of me trying.

I've just registered my interest again in the hope I might get to the top of the list at some point

Smart meters are required for Flux; Cosy; Agile; Intelligent; Go and Go Green (and now Tracker) but all other tariffs appear to be available to homes with analogue meters. Many of the smart meter tariffs also require such things as an EV; PV solar; a battery or a heat pump. (Source: Octopus Tariff Page).