Can't change energy tariff unless accept smart meter

400ixl

bluecatman9 said:

Thanks for all the replies. Apart from not particularly wanting a smart meter, there is another possible problem. We live in an area which has poor mobile signal reception (basically our house sits in a dip in the landscape and the signals go over our head). The only way we can use our mobile phones at home is via the broadband router. Isn't that going to cause a problem for the smart meters to connect?

That isn't a reason to not get one, you will be no worse off if you have to just keep giving regular manual reading, but could be better off if it does connect to the network and will be better off if it gives you access to new tariff's that suit you better.

lohr500

bluecatman9 said:

Thanks for all the replies. Apart from not particularly wanting a smart meter, there is another possible problem. We live in an area which has poor mobile signal reception (basically our house sits in a dip in the landscape and the signals go over our head). The only way we can use our mobile phones at home is via the broadband router. Isn't that going to cause a problem for the smart meters to connect?

As above, if the smart meter wont connect, you just keep submitting the readings manually.
A lack of connection can prevent you getting many of the smart time of use type tariffs which require 30 minute usage data, but I don't think it is an issue for straightforward tariffs.

Also, in which part of the country do you live? Smart meters in the northern part of the country don't use mobile networks to connect. Instead they have their own dedicated radio network. 

dunstonh

bluecatman9 said:

Thanks for all the replies. Apart from not particularly wanting a smart meter, there is another possible problem. We live in an area which has poor mobile signal reception (basically our house sits in a dip in the landscape and the signals go over our head). The only way we can use our mobile phones at home is via the broadband router. Isn't that going to cause a problem for the smart meters to connect?

So do we but that hasnt stopped a SMETS2 meter from being installed.    We couldn't get a SMETS1 due to signal issues (lucky escape with the problems SMETS1 had but none of that is an issue with SMETS2).

TheElectricCow

bluecatman9 said:

Thanks for all the replies. Apart from not particularly wanting a smart meter, there is another possible problem. We live in an area which has poor mobile signal reception (basically our house sits in a dip in the landscape and the signals go over our head). The only way we can use our mobile phones at home is via the broadband router. Isn't that going to cause a problem for the smart meters to connect?

In that case you’ll have nothing to worry about, from a consumer perspective the new meter should function no differently to your current one until such a time as a connection becomes available in your area.

Eon may well not decide to install one for you yet anyway, the requirement on the tariff is only for you to agree to one being installed if they ask. This naturally only applies if they are currently fitting them in your area and actually have installers/meters available, which in some areas they quite possibly may not.

Scot_39

TELLIT01 said:

Hoenir said:

bluecatman9 said:

 As it is not compulsory to have a smart meter, are E.on (and other companies) allowed to insist upon me having one in order to save cost on my energy supplies?

Also saves the energy supplier money. Which allows them to offer more attractive rates. 

How do smart meters save the supplier money?  They never send anybody to read my meters.

The hard - was it at least every 2 yr rule iirc went years ago - but meters should I believe still be safety inspected periodically.

People on PSR who cannot read own meters can see meter readers every 6-12m if not smart operating smart.

Ballymoney

It’s worth stating that I’ve been on a Eon ‘smart meter’ tariff for about 5 years now and still don’t have a smart meter. 

I’ve nothing against having one, just haven’t got round to arranging a date.

Eldi_Dos

Ballymoney said:

It’s worth stating that I’ve been on a Eon ‘smart meter’ tariff for about 5 years now and still don’t have a smart meter. 

I’ve nothing against having one, just haven’t got round to arranging a date.

Would that not cause problems if you wanted to change supplier?

I suppose at the moment you just manually send in the readings every so often.

Ballymoney

Eldi_Dos said:

Would that not cause problems if you wanted to change supplier?

I suppose at the moment you just manually send in the readings every so often.

No problems at all. I just send manual readings in every couple of months and my account balance is updated and Eon email me if they need to adjust my monthly payment (usually downwards as I’m always in credit).

I’m currently on one of their fixed rates from last July but I’ll be switching to the energy cap rate from April (no exit fees if I don’t change supplier) then I’ll look to fix again in Sept.