How to force utility company to install a working smart meter

mmmmikey

Paul_Sparrow said:

mmmmikey said:

Paul_Sparrow said:

Kid_Icarus said:

Scot_39 said:

There is meant to be a plan in place to upgrade those that cannot be modified - to smets2 - but as DCC states - it's not only up to them - but your supplier.

As long as the metering component of the SMETS1 meter is correctly doing its thing - accurately recording usage - I reckon suppliers will be more focused on getting non-smart meters replaced with smarts, to reduce their liability for fines from OFGEM.

One thing the OP should bear in mind is that all Smart meters have a certification life of 10 years, unless the manufacturer has done a component reliability study and obtained approval for a longer certification period.  The SMETS1 standard was defined in 2012 with the first meters put on the wall a year or two later - so the first SMETS1’s will soon be coming to the end of their certification - I suspect these are the ones which will be replaced first.

So depending on when the OPs SMETS1 meter was installed, they might be due for a replacement soon anyway.

List of meters and their certification period available here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6647412a4f29e1d07fadca26/electricity-meters-schedule-4-240516.pdf

The technician from Data Morrison, working on behalf of EDF, was here a couple of days ago. I live in a remote area of the UK, and he made quite a journey. He phoned EDF, and they told him not to exchange the meter since it could be read manually. He had a Gen 2 meter in his van and was ready to install it, but they did not authorize him. I am due to install solar panels, have already signed a contract with EDF, and am awaiting installation. I cannot export without a smart meter, but they do not seem to care.

Groan, I think I would have gone into full Victor Meldrew mode at that point. So I guess this does come down to priorities and "computer says no".

I'm wondering if you could approach a different supplier and tell them you're planning to move to Economy 7 and need a new meter and see if that works? You'll need to tell them you're going to install night storage heaters. Once you have a new meter you can easily enough switch tariffs - although Economy 7 might be a good option anyway. Obviously not very honest but although I'm usually a rule-follower in your circumstances I'd be quite comfortable trying to find a way round the rules.

I complained to EDF. They gave me £30 as compensation, and the engineer is coming back next Thursday. Let's see if he does nothing again. EDF are the best currently, Octopus doesn't have engineers available at the moment in west wales and I was waiting months. Eon directly told me that they would send out no one despite their sales person telling me the opposite and pretending she could see available appointments in my area...

Sounds hopeful 🤞🤞🤞

Marvel1

Seems they rather tick household's off their list for a smart meter to meet their targets, rather than fix the issues with current installed of doing what they should be doing 

BarelySentientAI

Marvel1 said:

Seems they rather tick household's off their list for a smart meter to meet their targets, rather than fix the issues with current installed of doing what they should be doing 

Correct.

It's what they are instructed and incevtivised to do, so not altogether surprising.