Smart Meter Replacement - what happens with the HH data?

Qyburn

Our meter, which started going flakey in the Summer, is working at the moment. For example as I look just now Octopus have all data up to the end of the day yesterday.

It's due to be replaced on Tuesday. Obviously I'll grab import and export index readings just before he starts.

But does anyone know, or want to guess, what will happen with the HH data, which is what Octopus actually bill from? Will they grab it right up to date before the meter's taken out of service?

I've asked the question, but of course I'm not likely to get an accurate or even sensible answer from their frontline staff.

QrizB

A guess, but I would expect there to be a gap of a day or so in the HH data, where the final data from the old meter isn't communicated.

It would be interesting to hear from someone who's been through this already, but having a "working" smart meter replaced is quite rare.

mmmmikey

QrizB said:

A guess, but I would expect there to be a gap of a day or so in the HH data, where the final data from the old meter isn't communicated.

It would be interesting to hear from someone who's been through this already, but having a "working" smart meter replaced is quite rare.

That would be my guess too. I doubt they have a mechanism for merging HH data from two meters for parts of the same day, so I'd anticipate that you'll be billed using the index readings for the day of the change, and possibly for the preceding day if the swap is in the morning and yesterday's data isn't through yet.

Scot_39

Miss day of install on old.

Also might be a gap on new as new meter details setup on suppliers system - but you would hope they would back read to install date. 

Some might need prodding to do so.

But in fault situations some forum users have reported their suppliers seem reluctant to do anything major re historic stored data - and the fall backs - estimated or daily block tou can kick in as per T&Cs.  So you might not want to rely on aggressive dynamic TOU tariff variation savings until you know the new meter integrated and linked and supplier reliably accessing the data.

Qyburn

Yes, I think I'll disable the off peak operations, certainly on the morning of the swap. Depending on forecast maybe the day before as well.

Phones4Chris

As I understand it, the whole point of giving suppliers (and 3rd parties) permission to take HH data, that's what they do, or maybe they all mislead us!
On a related point AFAIK suppliers read meter rate registers (defo R01, R02 etc., Export?) daily just after midnight (if they've got permission for more frequent than monthly) and smart meters apparently store 31 days of these register readings - note this IS different from the 13months HH storage.
@Qyburn, if you are concerned that any loss of HH data will affect you, maybe try downloading it via n3rgy. You might have to have a go a few times depending on when data has been collected. Be interesting to know what you get.

Phones4Chris

Scot_39 said:
......

Also might be a gap on new as new meter details setup on suppliers system - but you would hope they would back read to install date. 
..........

I don't think there will be any gap on a new meter. Once the meter is active, that data is there in the meter. Once it's commissioned it can be collected by/via the DCC. You ought to be able to recover it say via n3rgy after commissioning. Suppliers can and do, certainly on new smart meter installs in my experience, I don't see why replacements should be any different.

MWT

Phones4Chris said:

As I understand it, the whole point of giving suppliers (and 3rd parties) permission to take HH data, that's what they do, or maybe they all mislead us!

They need permission to take it, but they will only take it once a day.

QrizB said:

A guess, but I would expect there to be a gap of a day or so in the HH data, where the final data from the old meter isn't communicated.

It would be interesting to hear from someone who's been through this already, but having a "working" smart meter replaced is quite rare.

I went through this when Octopus changed my working smart meter due to a compatibility issue with Tesla Powerwall.

In my case the new meter started working almost immediately after it was installed so there was a gap between when the previous HH data was collected and the time the new meter started collecting data. That missing data is of course unrecoverable.

It will vary from supplier to supplier as to when they collect data each day though so which side of midnight that falls will vary but during BST it is most likely going to be after midnight GMT so unlikely to affect the previous day.

Qyburn

Thanks. Since the meter started going flakey in the Summer n3rgy hasn't been able to read it. I would be surprised if Octopus would accept third party data for billing purposes so it probably doesn't make any odds.

Bright has been generally working since late January and Octopus have been receiving data since late February.

Although annoyingly Octopus seems stuck again at the moment with 46 missing from yesterday. Bright is more up to date but also has some gaps so it's possible the meter's playing up again.

I paused my off peak tasks last night, but it would be annoying if Sunday's use was billed at SVT.

MWT

Qyburn said:

Thanks. Since the meter started going flakey in the Summer n3rgy hasn't been able to read it. I would be surprised if Octopus would accept third party data for billing purposes so it probably doesn't make any odds.

Correct, they can only bill using readings they take directly from your meter via the DCC. They can't even use data they acquire through their own devices like the Octopus Mini.

They have been known to use 3rd party data to justify a 'customer service gesture' from time to time though, but it is not a certain route to an adjustment for sure.

Ildhund

Phones4Chris said:

AFAIK suppliers read meter rate registers (defo R01, R02 etc., Export?) daily just after midnight (if they've got permission for more frequent than monthly) and smart meters apparently store 31 days of these register readings - 

I think it might be more accurate to say that the meter takes a snapshot of the registers daily precisely at midnight GMT and stores it for 31 days. Suppliers can then retrieve the snapshot at their leisure, although my own has been taking its time about it recently. There have been days when OVO have first retrieved readings more than 24 hours after their time-stamp.