EDF unable to fit smart meters. Can I insist on a fixed tariff?

R0bbieS

On 2 occasions EDF have tried to fit smart meters at my house and both times have been unsuccessful. Electric meter was too large, gas too inaccessible. The last time engineer just laughed and said I'd not be able to get one fitted in the near future. 
I want to go on a fixed tariff but they all insist on smart meter installation. 
I'm not against smart meters but I should not be penalised if the supplier cannot fit one.
Can I insist on being able to switch tariffs?

gm0

You can (bar blocking for debt) insist on switching to a new supplier. 

But you cannot insist on being put on a specific smart meter tariff or a particular attractively priced tariff if you can't or won't meet the requirements of it

See also

Duel fuel pricing if you don't have gas
DD discounts if you don't want to use DD
Time of day tariffs which need half hourly slots and measurements (smart meters)

"Excluding" people who don't fit the criteria for a specific product is allowed for all these.

So you may have a limited selection offered to you and that is that.  And it will vary - but not much - by supplier.  They all have a mandate to push smart metering.  But are not financially responsible for prior builder or householder fit out decisions

Options:

Wait - You can wait to fix your electric board and gas meter and supply cables/pipes until life expiry and the distributors may then do something more sensibly modern when they renew at their cost.  This can be years to decades depending on the age of it.

Pay - you can pay to have them do an "elective" move or change - which will cost you money.  Being one of the few things they are allowed to charge for.  Could cost a couple of grand to do gas and electric depending on what needs to happen.

Remodel - the household parts consumer units etc. around what is there and open up space
This is what I did to avoid paying the DNO to move my supply fuse and incomer to create headroom for a smart meter

Scot_39

May depend on the wording.

Some suppliers according to mse say no smart, others say fit a smart where possible.  So they might let you off if they have failed twice.

And a few suppliers in their list still don't need smart for their fixes - see mse is it worth fixing article.  Octopus 15m was one, OFTM,B Gas etc

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/are-there-any-cheap-fixed-energy-deals-currently-worth-it/

Note the edf tracker says smart (where possible).

But arguably its the owners responsibility to provide suitable location - for meters.

Did they offer electric with detached comms hub - although they normally sit on top of electric meter - they can run over a cable connection.

EssexHebridean

In your circumstances I would hope that if the tariff concerned would work for you even without a smart meter, and was better for you financially than the SVT, then they would agree to honour it as the lack of smart meter is not your fault. Of course there are a ot of smart tariffs that simply won’t work for you as they rely on the half hourly data. 

Reed_Richards

I had to pay an electrician to move another meter in order to make room for a smart electricity meter.

phillw

The wording is usually "if you agree to having a smart meter fitted" which you have.

If they refuse to give you the tariff then say "I want to make a complaint". Start with the inability to go on the tariff. If they say that you don't have a smart meter, add that you want to make a complaint that you can't have a smart meter 

If they still don't let you have the tariff, ask for a deadlock letter so you can go to the ombudsman. Then go to the ombudsman.

Might work, might not. It will annoy them though.

If they ask "what do you want from the complaint" then say I want either to go on the tariff, or compensation of X which I've calculated is the difference between the tariff I want and the one you are on. If they do this, then once you have the cash (and are out of any contract) then leave 

Swipe

Sign up to the tariff and book an appointment. When the fitter aborts the installation they will have no option but to allow you to stay on the tariff if the Ts & Cs allow for that outcome.