British Gas meter replacements

omnipeta

British Gas have wrote to me saying they want to replace my gas and electricity meters, adding that if they don’t hear from me they will book an install for me, can they do this.? I’ve heard so many negative reports about smart meters that I’d rather stay with what I’ve got. Any advice appreciated.

Keep_pedalling

Yes they can if the meters have passed their certification period. Many of us on here have had smart meters for years without issue and lots of us are taking advantage of the new tariffs only smart meters offer.

Are you on E7? I seem to remember that BG had serious issues with smart meters and E7 and I am not sure if they have resolved that yet.

debitcardmayhem

Well sadly that is the vagaries of the press and the anti smart meter brigade, there is no news or click bait opportunities in reporting the millions who don't have issues with their meters and their inefficient energy suppliers.
I have, and still am having problems with my smart gas meter not being able to be reached by Octopus consistently, so this morning I sent a manual reading because of the price cap change, small effort but not a life changer. I  would go for a smart meter every time, because it makes me able to choose tariffs which are more favourable for me.

Ayr_Rage

Do you replace your car when it gets old ?

Same with meters, and by the way they aren't yours, they also have a finite life and eventually need replacing.

There are millions of us with smart meters but you don't hear many shouting from the rooftops about how great they are, it is the negatives you hear about.

[Deleted User]

omnipeta said:

British Gas have wrote to me saying they want to replace my gas and electricity meters, adding that if they don’t hear from me they will book an install for me, can they do this.? I’ve heard so many negative reports about smart meters that I’d rather stay with what I’ve got. Any advice appreciated.

Your meters are owned by what are known as Meter Asset Providers. Your chosen supplier took over the responsibility for your meters when you switched to them. This includes ensuring that when meters reach the end of their certified lives they are replaced as required by Legislation. You as the homeowner, do not get a vote. 

In 2019 the then BEIS (that is, the Government) decided that as many Meter Asset Providers no longer have access to analogue meters that smart meters can be fitted without the homeowner's permission. This Decision is now reflected in an obligation that Ofgem has placed on all suppliers.

The issue here is not whether your meters are working or not: certification is based solely on metering accuracy.