MSE News: Faulty smart meters to be tackled and automatic compensation paid for problems

Scot_39

T_O_G said:

MattMattMattUK said:

I do wonder how that would be dealt with when the issue is down to the DCC

This is an issue that doesn't look as though it will be covered by this compensation. I have a smart meter for both and electricity, Eon Next have never received readings for gas and they have intermittent problem receiving readings for electricity. Eon next have never been able to explain why I can see daily/monthly data for gas and electricity using the "Loop" app but they cant provide billing without manual readings from me. After some research I have determined that the meter is working but the problem is somewhere in the DCC "Data Communications Company" infrastructure.  I have read that the problem could be due to I had authorised only monthly reading with EON although the meter is obviously sending data more frequently.  Also I have read that they are partnering with various technology companies to delivery a major upgrade to the infrastructure. I have e-mailed DCC for an explanation to what are the problems although I would be surprised if I get an honest answer if at all. In conclusion the current Smart meter infrastructure is NOT fit for purpose and how Ed Millibrain thinks the energy companies can roll out 1/2 hourly variable tariffs is completely delusional.  Hopefully Martin Lewis will see this and take this up!   

You would have to have opted out of daily under old DAPF rules for them  to only access monthly frequency data.

But  if you have changed tariffs or signed upto one of their grid demand response services (money off electric if save at fixed times etc) since they might now not only have permission for daily - but even half hourly.

And they may have asked your permission recently for half hourly at least for their grid supplier side settlement purposes. (Distinct from use for your account billing etc)

I opted in to half hourly hoping their app would show it - as seen how useful it is a diagnostic for others here - it didnt only daily / monthly - maybe I'll try the app again after another few months.

But my bills are still meter peak / off peak register based - for which they use daily readings on billing data - and as on a SVT tariff - on the 1st every 3 months when Ofgem cap changes - to get the split correct.

I guess there may be an issue with monthly if say they are trying to bill you mid month - not sure but say if the meter month is actual calendar month (the ihd reported week and month are calander not rolling) they wouldn't have the exact measurements for billing date.

You could opt in to daily and see if it goes live / kick them after to try bill retrieval again.

BeetRoot

I have just been through this experience with British Gas. Long story short - my complaint went to deadlock after 8 weeks of a dumb meter, and I submitted 33 pieces of evidence (call transcripts, emails, correspondence) to the Energy Ombudsman on 22nd September. It was quite simple to do and last week my complaint was upheld and British Gas ordered to pay £40 compensation + £40 for not complying within the time frame, plus £100 goodwill. I did not ask for compensation so have donated this to charity, but I did want the Ombudsman to hear from a customer who had experienced the dumb meter issue. British Gas have apologised. The meter is now reading (most of the time, very occasionally drops a reading). I have an EV tariff and I am happy. But I should not have had to do this. Smart meters should be a welcome tech advancement for customers but it seems energy providers see it as a nuisance. Be a nuisance, and call out the dumb meters.

prodgers66

It’s a pity that the IHD is not classed as part of the smart meter (SM), since the main benefit of having a SM is to be able to read how much energy you are using. But when your IHD breaks all you can do is look at how much energy you have used! - something you can do with ease whatever meter you have.

I have moved house several times and whenever i’ve inherited smart meters there has never been a working IHD for me to monitor my usage. So, based on my experience and comments on this and other similar forums, it would seem to be a common problem!

QrizB

It’s a pity that the IHD is not classed as part of the smart meter (SM), since the main benefit of having a SM is to be able to read how much energy you are using.

As discussed on another recent thread,I'd suggest the main benefit of smart meters is the access they offer to smart tariffs.

Mine has saved me several hundred pounds over the past year.