Disabled pensioner with Faulty Smart Meter

Bargainhunter41

Hi, anyone with any guidance / advice re 80 year old mobility disabled pensioner with smart meters which both don’t send readings? They currently rely on others to take the readings manually and have contacted British Gas to sort the issue but they are basically saying they can’t currently do anything about it and they should keep sending the readings in. As a result, they are also unable to take part in the peaksave energy days. Also, when they can’t get anyone to read the meter, they are trying to do it themselves and I’m worried they may cause injury. Is there not something they can do to push them to fix the meter in this instance? Thanks in advance! 

Netexporter

First thing would be to check that they are on the priority service register and that all the relevant boxes have been ticked. I'd have thought they should qualify for a meter reader to come regularly, but that would only happen if they are fully aware of the circumstances.

Perhaps the threat of moving to another supplier might prompt some action from BG (although I wouldn't hold my breath).

Scot_39

They should if on the priority service register and make sure tell British Gas disabled unable to read - should get regular meter visits- but they won't be any use for savings like peaksave.

My mum was on 12m with SP and SG - different date - but when declared sufficiently visually impaired with AMD (attacks central vision)  - was offered 6m - but my sister sold flat and moved back home to help as deteriorated further - so not sure happened.

It may even trigger priority for a new ihd if doesn't have one - perhaps one easier to read than standard (*) -  to enable meter reads without going to meter.

Not sure if will accelerate issues with actual meter connection to supplier over DCC  - if problem meter and property location combined = too weak a signal though.

But you can get meters from at least some suppliers with external antennas - to boost external signal strength - but where BG stand on those ??? 

(*) I think British Gas are one of supplieres that do support accessible in home displays - for visually impaired but also dexterity issues - think of it as a big button and text equivalent - so could try asking.

But again that assumes meters in house and not 10s of metres away - like a flat or something.

PS My sister now uses a selfie stick and her mobile to take readings - gas too low, electric too high - if that might work.

But you really want working meters  - so need to try and find out tge actual problem - and then perhaps switch to a more helpful supplier to resolve if possible (subjectvtomcommon location problems - remember most (all smets2 and intrgrated smets1)  tend to use same DCC wan these days)