EDF Meter

haggisbasher48

Because I have constantly ignored requests from EDF to install a Smart Meter I feel I am now being blackmailed into having one.  I was lucky to find myself in a 2 year fixed contract when prices went through the roof - this ended in May 2023 and I was put on a Standard Tariff as nothing fixed was available.  However, there is now a 1 Yr fixed rate tariff but I am told I cannot have this rate unless I install a smart meter.  Can they do this ??? 

comeandgo

Yes, most companies do this not just EDF.

DE_612183

what's the issue with a smart meter?

The meters save the companies money, so they can pass these savings on to customers via a cheaper rate I guess.

Ayr_Rage

Yes, it can be a condition of the contract.

Gerry1

DE_612183 said:

The meters save the companies money, so they can pass these savings on to customers via a cheaper rate I guess.

Installing smart meters saves the companies being fined for missing the government's targets.

FYFY !

victor2

haggisbasher48 said:

Because I have constantly ignored requests from EDF to install a Smart Meter I feel I am now being blackmailed into having one.  I was lucky to find myself in a 2 year fixed contract when prices went through the roof - this ended in May 2023 and I was put on a Standard Tariff as nothing fixed was available.  However, there is now a 1 Yr fixed rate tariff but I am told I cannot have this rate unless I install a smart meter.  Can they do this ??? 

Welcome to the forum.

As others have said, yes they can require you to have a smart meter. Also, when your current meter reaches the end of its certified life, it will be replaced with a smart meter anyway, and you won't have a choice.

Many seasoned posters on here will almost certainly address your concerns if you say why you don't want a smart meter, and are prepared to be shot down.

BellaBlondykeTheThird

haggisbasher48 said:

Because I have constantly ignored requests from EDF to install a Smart Meter I feel I am now being blackmailed into having one.  I was lucky to find myself in a 2 year fixed contract when prices went through the roof - this ended in May 2023 and I was put on a Standard Tariff as nothing fixed was available.  However, there is now a 1 Yr fixed rate tariff but I am told I cannot have this rate unless I install a smart meter.  Can they do this ??? 

Yes they can do this as otherwise they will be fined for not meeting smart meter targets set by Ofgem (note this is not a supplier led assault on you but Ofgem itself)

The good news is once you have a smart meter it doesn't just open up good fix rates but also very good value time of use tariffs.

What is it that you have read that puts you off a smart meter?

Slinky

EDF invited me several times to have a smart meter, I did want a meter but I was trying to get them to sort out their transposed Economy 7 readings at the time. In the end they offered me, by email, £100 credit on my account if I would swap to a smart meter. Yes please, thanks very much, meter installed and I moved to Octopus about 4 months later. This was February/March time last year.

Check your emails to see if there's one in there somewhere offering you a bribe.

MattMattMattUK

haggisbasher48 said:

Because I have constantly ignored requests from EDF to install a Smart Meter I feel I am now being blackmailed into having one.  I was lucky to find myself in a 2 year fixed contract when prices went through the roof - this ended in May 2023 and I was put on a Standard Tariff as nothing fixed was available.  However, there is now a 1 Yr fixed rate tariff but I am told I cannot have this rate unless I install a smart meter.  Can they do this ??? 

You are not being blackmailed. Just have a smart meter installed like everyone else sensible. Yes they can do "this", yes it is legal and indeed fix or no fix it will likely become compulsory in the next few years. 

vienna28

Haggisbasher, as you know all elecrical equipment gets more sophisticated and advanced as the years go by.  Electric meters are no different.

30 or so years ago i had a non digital ordinary dial electric meter.  Then i had installed a digital prepayment meter were you topped up electricity with pink prepayment cards.  Then the electric company installed a digital prepayment electric meter were you topped up with a key fob.  Then i moved to another digital electric meter that wasn't prepayment.  Then 3 or so years ago EON installed a digital smart meter.

So just look at your new smart meter like a more modern electric meter.  I'm sure once installed you'll be wondering why you were ever stressing about it being installed.  

EssexHebridean

The best way of getting the cheapest tariffs on offer is to get a smart meter to be honest.  And as already mentioned, at some stage your meter is going to reach end of life and need replacement, at which point you will be getting one anyway - only you will have been potentially paying more for your energy in the interim. 

You’ve not given any indication as to what your reservations are about smart meters. A lot of folk arrive here having read all sorts of stuff about them - some of the negatives you read are misrepresentation of facts,  and some are quite simply put out there by people who enjoy making other people scared, or uncomfortable, or mistrustful. If you feel comfortable to share your concerns, then it’s extremely likely we’ll be able to explain why there is no need to be worried, and what the truth of the matter is. If your concerns are something which could genuine be an issue, the chances are that someone will be able to talk you through whether it is likely to happen, and what you would do if it did.