smart meters- what is typical lead time?

Heedtheadvice

Hi, I have requested an EV  Tariff and so a smart meter for electricity (and gas as it is ancient) from my supplier,  Utility Warehouse (UW). Recently gone to a full EV so hoping to get their advertised EV Tariff ASAP.

 Being in the northern half of the UK I expect Arquiva will be the installers but just a guess.

Responses (three) so far over several weeks from UW ( and as of yesterday) are that there are no appointment slots for the next six weeks, so that is currently over a 10 week wait.

Is this a typical timescale ( rural area )?

Does it vary with supplier or is it just dependent upon the  installer?

If the former would there be any benefit in switching supplier or dropping the gas meter request?

Has anyone got any ideas how to speed up the response?

TIA

MyRealNameToo

We didnt have a choice, we had to do both or neither, was a bit pointless as the gas meter is a long way from the electric which is in a different building and as such the gas cannot communicate with the electric so its effectively a dumb meter. 

Our previous provider simply ignored all requests or said they weren't offering them at the time but we wanted to change because the electric one is hard to get to and so laziness rather than real need. Our replacement provider we asked online and was told it was more than 6 weeks so would be on a waiting list then about 3 weeks later they phoned saying they had availablity in 2 weeks time so took the slot. 

Rodders53

Arqiva staff most certainly will NOT be the installers.  They just operate the Long Range Radio communications system used by the North smart meters. (And operate most TV and Radio broadcast transmitters and some of the related services.)

North still has a lot of E7/E10 type stuff and reliance on old RTS (long wave radio 4) meters that will be given priority in any meter replacement programme in that region still.  But they like to group visits in local areas to maximise efficiency of travel times.

So I suspect that the wait time quoted is not unreasonable... and you may get two installers turn up anyway (one gas qualified the other electric).  Six weeks gets darned close to Christmas and holidays...

Different supplier may well contract different meter installer firms.  My electric only meter was swapped by an EoN branded van installer.  I seem to recall it took a fair few weeks back in early 24 but I am down south... It took EoN nearly as long, if not longer, to swap out a faulty meter (free leccy for me). 

You'd just introduce extra delays by moving supplier so don't try that route.  Ask UW if swap of electric only would speed things up (if that's even possible for them to do).  

Brie

Our gas meter failed about 15 months back and needed to be replaced on an emergency basis.  So a dumb meter was the only alternative.  We were told that the energy provider (Outfox) would advise us in a couple of weeks when the smart meter might be installed.  We're still waiting.  Frankly I don't think they know or care.  fyi - in the southwest.

dunstonh

My smart meter was installed the next day (eastern), which I was quite impressed with.  Like you, ours was for an EV charger.  It didn't just need the meter changed, but also the meter tails, since we only had a 60-amp fuse and needed to go to 100-amp to have the charger.  That meant thicker meter tails and an isolation switch to be done at the same time.  The smart meter installer did all that, but I had to let him know, as the supplier hadn't told him it needed those things, despite my having requested them.

The DNO was also quite quick, at one week, to do a survey and, about 2 weeks later, to complete their wiring bits (the outside cable needed changing) and install the 100amp fuse once the smart meter, tails and switch were in (and our electrician making the changes to the circuit board).

I was warned I would be looking at 6-12 months, but in the end, it was less than 2 between the supplier, my electrician and the DNO.

I assume your fuse is already rated above 60 amps, and that you have an isolation switch -  the EV charger survey would tell you what needs changing or installing before they can install the charger.

Netexporter

Top tip. Order a smart meter and wait until it is installed and working before ordering any other kit that depends on it.

I waited about 6 months with Octopus, who are very pro-active with smart meter installation, but I live in the middle of nowhere a good 60 miles from the nearest installer.

Also, have a look at the main fuse. It may need upgrading to 80A if you are having an EV charger installed. This will be a separate job done by your DNO.

born_again

Surprised no one mentioned check if you are on a shared supply.

Heedtheadvice

OK, thanks for the responses.

 I can see that there may be a big variability in installation wait and may just have to have patience! Although since my original post I notice OFGEM are making noises about tightening up an suppliers poor responses on service provisions , after how many years of pushing smart meters?

I should note for completeness, having had a PHEV for a number of years, I am already set up with a charger so no supply/rating changes are required.  As charge energy required was ratively small I used solar power in the main and was quite happy to buy at normal rates for the remainder. This has really been a move to  greener method of transportation and as UW had been advertising an EV Tariff ( rather belatedly ) I have taken the expensive  plunge in buying an EV. A car change was due anyway but it has been thousand of pounds extra compared to an equivalent car replacement.

In terms of charging, especially when just doing local running, I am no worse off financially than buying  petrol in winter/on longer runs for a PHEV. It has been a big cost hit getting the EV and I was hoping the EV Tariff would offset that somewhat. Off topic a bit but along with the high cost of using a public charger ( and the lack of availability or reliability in some cases of charge points) it hardly encourages a switch to EV for those who cannot justify the extra budget, those generally reluctant to move away from fossil fuels and makes meeting the net zero aims ( for domestic transport ) any easier. All this on top of the poor smart switch history. A case of the industry and powers that be not responding sufficiently well with the aims, unlike Norway with virtually 100% EVs as new cars.

I must just hope in my own case the UW installer comes good soon.

Ectophile

I'm still on a 60A fuse with an EV charger.  The charger came with a current clamp that clips onto the live meter tail.  If it looks like I'm overloading the supply, the charger will tell the EV to slow down.