EDF Smart Meter debacle - final result

msknight

This is the summary of what eventually happened with my experience of EDF and forcing install of a smart meter, where they don't work, in order to access a decent tariff. I decided to post new rather than resurrect the old thread; as moderators seem to not like when old threads are revived.

I hope this information helps someone else.

Firstly... I have terrible reception so I have a meter with an internal clock for economy 7. My existing 2 year tariff expired. I was submitting readings every quarter and a precise direct debit went out every quarter. Pay for what I use. Great. However, EDF have a requirement for all tariffs that a smart meter must be installed.

That started a discussion and EDF wouldn't budge an inch. If I wanted a fixed tariff, I had to have a meter, or fall back to standard tariff. This despite looking up my meter to see it still had nearly 10 years of certification left. (they tried to tell me it was out of certification. Nice try, EDF, but people on this forum had helpfully told me how to check, so I was armed with the facts!)

I complained to the ombudsman and after following the process, they called me and we had a very pleasant discussion about the whole situation, but although they agreed with the ethics, they don't have the power to dictate the tariffs offered even though it seemed that all the other providers were doing the same.

Net result, I fell through to standard tariff.

Fast forward to my first bill and they said that my direct debit was now going to be once a month. I got on the phone.

While discussing with the gent at EDF, it became apparent that there was now a, "Sorry, you can't get a smart meter yet" notice on the account. It seems that EDF have acknowledged that smart meters don't work here, so I don't need to have one. The web based tariff selector, however, didn't handle this, so the gent at EDF talked through the available tariffs and, based on what I believe the energy prices are going to do, I opted for a 2 year fixed (it's always a gamble - however it is cheaper than if they'd actually let me fix in the beginning, so I've saved there.) and I don't have to have a smart meter. He did it all at his end.

The down side is that EDF have apparently abolished quarterly direct debits across the board, reportedly due to customers building up debts (even though I pay precisely for what I use and have a pristine record... well, apart from my complaining :-D ) so I now have to submit meter readings every month rather than every quarter in order to stay bang on the penny.

And it will now be two years before I have to endure the smart meter argument with them again... by which time they would hopefully have fixed the smart meter signal issue for my area.

dunstonh

The down side is that EDF have apparently abolished quarterly direct debits across the board, reportedly due to customers building up debts (even though I pay precisely for what I use and have a pristine record... well, apart from my complaining :-D ) so I now have to submit meter readings every month rather than every quarter in order to stay bang on the penny.

The change of software supplier to Kraken is the reason.  All the suppliers that use that software are monthly.  
Monthly makes sense is the modern world

Estimates are still allowed and possible on the new software.  So, you can still do quarterly meter reads if you find doing monthly ones to be too difficult.