Exasperated with EDF Smart Meter Installation

Phones4Chris

imeach said:

inspectorperez said:

Just thought I'd bring this thread back to life as the subject title is still relevant.

So my faithful analogue meter was replaced at the beginning of October with a smart meter.

The good news is that the overnight storage heaters and water tank are receiving power at the appropriate time range for E7 purposes.

The bad (but not unexpected) news is that EDF are not receiving the readings and I have been requested to submit manual readings.

Previously I used a pencil to write down 2 figures and submit through either the app or online.

I have now received instructions on how to read the new smart meter

"Hold OK until it enters "Main Menu", you will see "Billing" appear

Hold OK to enter the "Billing" sub menu

Using the arrows, scroll to "Advanced" (2 pushes of the > button)

Hold OK to enter the "Advanced" sub-menu, you will see "TOUmatrx" appear
Hold OK to enter the "TOUmatrx" sub-menu, you will see "RATE 1" appear
Use the arrows to cycle the rates you need to submit (Rate 1, Rate 2)"

Bear in mind this all takes place underneath an outside stairwell with no lighting.

I cannot tell you how pleased I am that EDF has made my life so much simpler and I am now receiving the wonderful benefits of having a smart meter.

If they want the readings that badly they will send a meter reader
But from your earlier posts it sounds like this property isn't always lived in with your 100 mile drive. 
Are the meters accessible for a meter reader?? 

Bad suggestion, bad idea. It's not a case of if EDF need the readings that badly, they will quite happily send you estimated bills (which could be over or under estimates) and when you give some real readings you may be in for a shock.
@inspectorperez Submit manual readings as often as you reasonably can - once a month perhaps.

Do you have a smart phone? Download the "Bright" App and register with them. They get your meter data (30 minute slots - but not the register readings, only suppliers can get them) via the DCC as a 3rd party user. That way you'll know if the meter is communicating correctly. If it is, the problem is EDF's end.
Also look at the meter comms unit (on the top). Unless you are in the North so not using the Mobile phone network for comms, you should have 3 LEDs flashing in unison every 5 seconds, they are SW, WAN & HAN (1st, 2nd & 4th from L to R).
If you are in the North, I'm not sure what the 2 LEDs (WAN & HAN) do if it is communicating correctly - perhaps someone who actually knows can advise.

Gerry1

Phones4Chris said:

imeach said:

inspectorperez said:

Just thought I'd bring this thread back to life as the subject title is still relevant.

So my faithful analogue meter was replaced at the beginning of October with a smart meter.

The good news is that the overnight storage heaters and water tank are receiving power at the appropriate time range for E7 purposes.

The bad (but not unexpected) news is that EDF are not receiving the readings and I have been requested to submit manual readings.

Previously I used a pencil to write down 2 figures and submit through either the app or online.

I have now received instructions on how to read the new smart meter

"Hold OK until it enters "Main Menu", you will see "Billing" appear

Hold OK to enter the "Billing" sub menu

Using the arrows, scroll to "Advanced" (2 pushes of the > button)

Hold OK to enter the "Advanced" sub-menu, you will see "TOUmatrx" appear
Hold OK to enter the "TOUmatrx" sub-menu, you will see "RATE 1" appear
Use the arrows to cycle the rates you need to submit (Rate 1, Rate 2)"

Bear in mind this all takes place underneath an outside stairwell with no lighting.

I cannot tell you how pleased I am that EDF has made my life so much simpler and I am now receiving the wonderful benefits of having a smart meter.

If they want the readings that badly they will send a meter reader
But from your earlier posts it sounds like this property isn't always lived in with your 100 mile drive. 
Are the meters accessible for a meter reader?? 

If you are in the North, I'm not sure what the 2 LEDs (WAN & HAN) do if it is communicating correctly - perhaps someone who actually knows can advise.

https://www.smartme.co.uk/smets-2.html#indicators See 'What does the flashing rate mean?'

inspectorperez

Phones4Chris said:

imeach said:

inspectorperez said:

Just thought I'd bring this thread back to life as the subject title is still relevant.

So my faithful analogue meter was replaced at the beginning of October with a smart meter.

The good news is that the overnight storage heaters and water tank are receiving power at the appropriate time range for E7 purposes.

The bad (but not unexpected) news is that EDF are not receiving the readings and I have been requested to submit manual readings.

Previously I used a pencil to write down 2 figures and submit through either the app or online.

I have now received instructions on how to read the new smart meter

"Hold OK until it enters "Main Menu", you will see "Billing" appear

Hold OK to enter the "Billing" sub menu

Using the arrows, scroll to "Advanced" (2 pushes of the > button)

Hold OK to enter the "Advanced" sub-menu, you will see "TOUmatrx" appear
Hold OK to enter the "TOUmatrx" sub-menu, you will see "RATE 1" appear
Use the arrows to cycle the rates you need to submit (Rate 1, Rate 2)"

Bear in mind this all takes place underneath an outside stairwell with no lighting.

I cannot tell you how pleased I am that EDF has made my life so much simpler and I am now receiving the wonderful benefits of having a smart meter.

If they want the readings that badly they will send a meter reader
But from your earlier posts it sounds like this property isn't always lived in with your 100 mile drive. 
Are the meters accessible for a meter reader?? 

Bad suggestion, bad idea. It's not a case of if EDF need the readings that badly, they will quite happily send you estimated bills (which could be over or under estimates) and when you give some real readings you may be in for a shock.
@inspectorperez Submit manual readings as often as you reasonably can - once a month perhaps.

Do you have a smart phone? Download the "Bright" App and register with them. They get your meter data (30 minute slots - but not the register readings, only suppliers can get them) via the DCC as a 3rd party user. That way you'll know if the meter is communicating correctly. If it is, the problem is EDF's end.
Also look at the meter comms unit (on the top). Unless you are in the North so not using the Mobile phone network for comms, you should have 3 LEDs flashing in unison every 5 seconds, they are SW, WAN & HAN (1st, 2nd & 4th from L to R).
If you are in the North, I'm not sure what the 2 LEDs (WAN & HAN) do if it is communicating correctly - perhaps someone who actually knows can advise.

The Bright app seems to get mixed reviews on the Playstore suggesting it is not reliable. Do you use it yourself please?

Ildhund

I use the Bright app when my supplier is a bit slow retrieving data. It's sometimes fiddly to get the latest figures, but I get them eventually. I'm not sure what those reviewers mean by unreliable: the app gets data from the meter itself, and I've never seen a discrepancy between those and the ones I get from other sources, e.g. my supplier. Overall, it's a good supplement to what my supplier provides, and Hildebrand provide excellent support if it's needed.

inspectorperez

Ildhund said:

I use the Bright app when my supplier is a bit slow retrieving data. It's sometimes fiddly to get the latest figures, but I get them eventually. I'm not sure what those reviewers mean by unreliable: the app gets data from the meter itself, and I've never seen a discrepancy between those and the ones I get from other sources, e.g. my supplier. Overall, it's a good supplement to what my supplier provides, and Hildebrand provide excellent support if it's needed.

Thanks for that.

Very useful to know if all else fails.

Spoonie_Turtle

I have the Bright app too, after it being widely recommended on here.  Does the job just fine 🤷

Phones4Chris

inspectorperez said:

Phones4Chris said:

imeach said:

inspectorperez said:

Just thought I'd bring this thread back to life as the subject title is still relevant.

So my faithful analogue meter was replaced at the beginning of October with a smart meter.

The good news is that the overnight storage heaters and water tank are receiving power at the appropriate time range for E7 purposes.

The bad (but not unexpected) news is that EDF are not receiving the readings and I have been requested to submit manual readings.

Previously I used a pencil to write down 2 figures and submit through either the app or online.

I have now received instructions on how to read the new smart meter

"Hold OK until it enters "Main Menu", you will see "Billing" appear

Hold OK to enter the "Billing" sub menu

Using the arrows, scroll to "Advanced" (2 pushes of the > button)

Hold OK to enter the "Advanced" sub-menu, you will see "TOUmatrx" appear
Hold OK to enter the "TOUmatrx" sub-menu, you will see "RATE 1" appear
Use the arrows to cycle the rates you need to submit (Rate 1, Rate 2)"

Bear in mind this all takes place underneath an outside stairwell with no lighting.

I cannot tell you how pleased I am that EDF has made my life so much simpler and I am now receiving the wonderful benefits of having a smart meter.

If they want the readings that badly they will send a meter reader
But from your earlier posts it sounds like this property isn't always lived in with your 100 mile drive. 
Are the meters accessible for a meter reader?? 

Bad suggestion, bad idea. It's not a case of if EDF need the readings that badly, they will quite happily send you estimated bills (which could be over or under estimates) and when you give some real readings you may be in for a shock.
@inspectorperez Submit manual readings as often as you reasonably can - once a month perhaps.

Do you have a smart phone? Download the "Bright" App and register with them. They get your meter data (30 minute slots - but not the register readings, only suppliers can get them) via the DCC as a 3rd party user. That way you'll know if the meter is communicating correctly. If it is, the problem is EDF's end.
Also look at the meter comms unit (on the top). Unless you are in the North so not using the Mobile phone network for comms, you should have 3 LEDs flashing in unison every 5 seconds, they are SW, WAN & HAN (1st, 2nd & 4th from L to R).
If you are in the North, I'm not sure what the 2 LEDs (WAN & HAN) do if it is communicating correctly - perhaps someone who actually knows can advise.

The Bright app seems to get mixed reviews on the Playstore suggesting it is not reliable. Do you use it yourself please?

Yes I do use it and have no problem with it for energy usage, it's totally reliable. The ONLY thing it doesn't get right (as I've said before) is the total energy cost of E7 during BST as the app produced the costs using GMT so some usage gets costed on the App at day rate when it should be night rate.

Phones4Chris

Gerry1 said:

Phones4Chris said:

imeach said:

inspectorperez said:

Just thought I'd bring this thread back to life as the subject title is still relevant.

So my faithful analogue meter was replaced at the beginning of October with a smart meter.

The good news is that the overnight storage heaters and water tank are receiving power at the appropriate time range for E7 purposes.

The bad (but not unexpected) news is that EDF are not receiving the readings and I have been requested to submit manual readings.

Previously I used a pencil to write down 2 figures and submit through either the app or online.

I have now received instructions on how to read the new smart meter

"Hold OK until it enters "Main Menu", you will see "Billing" appear

Hold OK to enter the "Billing" sub menu

Using the arrows, scroll to "Advanced" (2 pushes of the > button)

Hold OK to enter the "Advanced" sub-menu, you will see "TOUmatrx" appear
Hold OK to enter the "TOUmatrx" sub-menu, you will see "RATE 1" appear
Use the arrows to cycle the rates you need to submit (Rate 1, Rate 2)"

Bear in mind this all takes place underneath an outside stairwell with no lighting.

I cannot tell you how pleased I am that EDF has made my life so much simpler and I am now receiving the wonderful benefits of having a smart meter.

If they want the readings that badly they will send a meter reader
But from your earlier posts it sounds like this property isn't always lived in with your 100 mile drive. 
Are the meters accessible for a meter reader?? 

If you are in the North, I'm not sure what the 2 LEDs (WAN & HAN) do if it is communicating correctly - perhaps someone who actually knows can advise.

 See 'What does the flashing rate mean?'

As you don't live in the North, you are unable, nor have you, stated EXACTLY what the lights do. Not only have I read the linked article (many times) it does NOT state that ANY of them Flash in unison (that includes those in the south) which is WHY i asked for someone in the NORTH to confirm (whether those two flash in unison).

Gerry1

Phones4Chris said:

Gerry1 said:

Phones4Chris said:

imeach said:

inspectorperez said:

Just thought I'd bring this thread back to life as the subject title is still relevant.

So my faithful analogue meter was replaced at the beginning of October with a smart meter.

The good news is that the overnight storage heaters and water tank are receiving power at the appropriate time range for E7 purposes.

The bad (but not unexpected) news is that EDF are not receiving the readings and I have been requested to submit manual readings.

Previously I used a pencil to write down 2 figures and submit through either the app or online.

I have now received instructions on how to read the new smart meter

"Hold OK until it enters "Main Menu", you will see "Billing" appear

Hold OK to enter the "Billing" sub menu

Using the arrows, scroll to "Advanced" (2 pushes of the > button)

Hold OK to enter the "Advanced" sub-menu, you will see "TOUmatrx" appear
Hold OK to enter the "TOUmatrx" sub-menu, you will see "RATE 1" appear
Use the arrows to cycle the rates you need to submit (Rate 1, Rate 2)"

Bear in mind this all takes place underneath an outside stairwell with no lighting.

I cannot tell you how pleased I am that EDF has made my life so much simpler and I am now receiving the wonderful benefits of having a smart meter.

If they want the readings that badly they will send a meter reader
But from your earlier posts it sounds like this property isn't always lived in with your 100 mile drive. 
Are the meters accessible for a meter reader?? 

If you are in the North, I'm not sure what the 2 LEDs (WAN & HAN) do if it is communicating correctly - perhaps someone who actually knows can advise.

 See 'What does the flashing rate mean?'

As you don't live in the North, you are unable, nor have you, stated EXACTLY what the lights do. Not only have I read the linked article (many times) it does NOT state that ANY of them Flash in unison (that includes those in the south) which is WHY i asked for someone in the NORTH to confirm (whether those two flash in unison).

Calm down, dear !  No need to blow a fuse...

Thought I was being helpful, but if the industry site to which I linked isn't good enough for you then just disregard it and await an answer more to your taste from a Northerner or someone a tad more knowledgeable.

inspectorperez

Ildhund said:

I use the Bright app when my supplier is a bit slow retrieving data. It's sometimes fiddly to get the latest figures, but I get them eventually. I'm not sure what those reviewers mean by unreliable: the app gets data from the meter itself, and I've never seen a discrepancy between those and the ones I get from other sources, e.g. my supplier. Overall, it's a good supplement to what my supplier provides, and Hildebrand provide excellent support if it's needed.

Have downloaded the Bright app, registered and now received a very helpful message from Hildebrand to confirm that my new smart meter has not yet been commissioned by EDF.

We are now some six weeks or so down the line from initial installation so really not impressed and it appears all my initial reservations were well founded.

After being literally peppered by EDF with emails/text messages to have a smart meter installed, I am truly unimpressed. I accept that the switch off of RTS signal was something beyond the control of my provider, but am now getting ready to dig in as it were and let them sort it out. Hopefully they won't try and issue unrealistic bills based on estimated readings!