Smart Meters Supplier IHD Customer Exploitation

EssexHebridean

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81869683#Comment_81869683

Yes - there have been cases like this - and that is largely because once a client has a mini they have access to far more information than the IHD would ever give them via the Octopus app. I would suggest that anyone in the situation of getting a new meter via Octopus accepts the IHD in the first instance and then subsequently applies for the mini if they are that concerned about having an IHD.

You complained about "personal attacks" earlier when there had been none, yet you continue with attempts to discredit other forum members by inferring that they are somehow linked to suppliers. THAT is a personal attack.

indefatigablesaver

Sounds like you agree that the octopus mini shouldn't be used interchangeably as an IHD, shame then that it appears to be offered as such based on the other OPs comments.

The latter being the case arguably if octopus are treating it as equivalent to an IHD then if switching renders it useless within 12 months customers should be entitled to a free of charge IHD replacement as we should all be pushing for that interpretation.

I think you will find I have inferred no such thing, suggesting the forum seems to be a space for apologists of energy companies does not suggest that forum members are somehow linked to them. Why would you suggest such a thing?

Forum members are of course free to defend who they wish.

debitcardmayhem

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81869701#Comment_81869701

How can anyone think an Octopus mini is an IHD ? you are trying to defend yourself, and you are obviously quite intelligent, IHD is a In Home Display , note the third word . A mini does not have a display and you need the internet to use it, unlike an IHD.

I personally don't use the IHD , finding them a distraction and often show the wrong information, because the energy supplier has not updated the meter. The mini is only just more useful ,but I don't really rely on that either.

QrizB

Very few people are going to post here telling us that their IHD works perfectly and they are very happy with everything.

My IHD (a Geo Trio II) was installed by EDF and still works exactly as expected now I'm with Octopus. I'm happy with it.

Are there things I would like it to do, that it doesn't? Yes, but these would require changing the spec to include those functions.

Qyburn

After our meter and comms hub were replaced Octopus explicitly said that we couldn't have both the Mini and the IHD activated. I didn't press the point as the location of the meter means the IHD only works in a really inconvenient location.

EssexHebridean

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81870684#Comment_81870684

And presumably, had you specifically preferred the IHD, you could simply have opted for that. The mini of course is also an "Octopus only special" and not a device that certainly most other suppliers offer. It's quite interesting though allowing that the mini would usually be set up by the customer themselves rathe than by an engineer, I wonder whether their "either/or" to you was down to the time allocated for the appointment, of for some other reason - I take it they didn't elaborate?

born_again

When we 1st got our smart meter, IHD was interesting to watch, then realised that there was nothing I could to to lower power usage when oven, kettle or other high usage device was switched on. So decided best chuck it in a cupboard & forget about it, as there is nothing it can do to help save energy, that you can do by common sense.

tim_p

I find mine useful for electricity meter readings, saves going out into the wet.

I do check it accurately tracks the actual meter (on the occasional non-rainy days!)

Other than that it never gets a glance really.

Phones4Chris

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81870684#Comment_81870684

Just doing a bit of catch-up here with this thread. I obviously don't know (and you didn't say) who at Octopus said that you couldn't have an IHD and a "Mini" both activated. Well that's total cobblers.
My IHD was activated by the Smart Meter installer. I later requested an Octopus Mini - there was also quite a long waiting list at the time - when it arrived, it didn't require "activation" as such - there was a set-up procedure to follow, which I didn't get correct the first time and had to repeat, eventually sorted - but both work fine!