New supplier unable to access smart meter

RebTech

My previous supplier was Scottish Power. In early December the old RTS system (two meters) was replaced with a smart meter.

Although I was notified there was an issue with SP's internal systems and they couldn't let me switch tariffs online or get the cheap weekend deal there was no doubt they could access the new meter.

A week ago I decided to switch to Octopus for their Snug storage heater tariff. Apparently the switch has happened, though I've lost count of the number of times I've been asked for meter readings, but the rates on the meter are both £0.00, the supplier is still listed as SP and the switching times are exactly the same as they were (23:00 and 07:36). (I know the rates are merely informative.)

Octopus say they can't access the meter even though I've sent the MPAN. This is a big deal for me as the whole point of the switch was to get the Snug tariff which requires a smart meter.

At the moment SP are offering £50 if I switch back but I don't know how long that will last. Does anyone have a clue how long it's likely to take Octopus to get meter access? Is it possible they'll never get through to it? I'm tempted to switch back to SP right now but I did like the idea of Snug...

QrizB

It sounds rather as though SP haven't completed the meter commissioning process, and haven't updated the national database of such things. Switching back doesn't necessarily mean they'll be motivated to fix it.

For the time being, are you on Economy 7 (or "Economy 8 and a half") with Octopus?

RebTech

Am I on E7? I guess so, this is from an email:

I can confirm you are currently on our fixed tariff which has the following rates:

• Night: 14.359 p/kWh

• Day: 30.802 p/kWh

• Standing charge: 56.6p/day

QrizB

That's good.

Are both registers on your smart meter increasing over time as you'd expect?

If you were to switch back to SP, what tariff & rates are they offering?

RebTech

It seemed to have been fixed overnight and there was a very pleasant email from Octopus.

However, though the cheap rate, active when I first checked it, looked right, now that the day rate is active the Next rate according to the IHD is 0p!

On the meter itself I only know how to view the current rate, I suppose I'll wait and check after the next switch time before complaining...

QrizB

That sounds like progress!

FWIW the rates shown on the meter and the IHD aren't used for billing.

You can safely ignore them.