EDF Smart Meter installation (lack of) appointments

The_Groat_Counter

I'm with EDF (dual-fuel) and have been for a few years now. I still have 'dumb' meters.

I'm in no particular rush to get a smart meter, but every month when I submit my meter readings out of curiosity I take a quick look (by clicking/tapping on 'Book an installation') to see if there are any available slots for a smart meter installation available - the booking tool's horizon is the next six weeks - and almost always there isn't one. (On perhaps a couple of occasions there was a single slot available in the next six weeks.)

I'm aware the phased switch-off of the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) that began last summer has meant smart meter installation resources have been focussed on replacing RTS meters (that enabled Economy 7 and Economy 10 tariffs) - is this the likely explanation for the lack of available appointments at present? (Just to be clear, I do not have an RTS meter.)

I'm just a bit curious as to why this is the case, given the overall push for smart meters. (I'm not in the middle of nowhere either!)

Also, I wonder if there's any benefit in holding off from getting one installed anyway as upcoming smart meter models might be 'better' somehow (e.g. come with a 4G comms hub rather than a 2G/3G one that'll need replacing)?

Rodders53

No rush if you have no need for a smart Time Of Use ToU tariff (EV, heat pump, battery, solar) which need 1/2 hourly smart reads.

I only asked for a smart meter when EoN offered me £50 credit to do so (per fuel I think but we use Kerosene here). Much, much later I got an EV, so having the smart meter meant I was ready.

As you say the 4G comms units may be 'standard' if you wait. If you are lucky your supplier may also offer you a bribe incentive to fit one.

gpman

(Not so new) News you can (possibly) use:

Smart meter problems? You'll be automatically compensated

pseudodox

EDF offered me £300 but appointments were like hen's teeth. Until I sussed their system which updated in the early hours of the morning adding one more day of availability exactly 6 weeks ahead. I got up at 5am, logged on & bagged a spot. Later in the day there was nothing more available. It was worth the early alarm to secure that £300 credit which paid my bills for 5 months!

The_Groat_Counter

Thanks all.

No current need for a Time of Use tariff (an EV is on the more distant agenda but far from imminent). I have seen that EDF is now trialling a couple of general Time of Use tariffs that they are calling "FreePhase" which look interesting (similar to Octopus Agile) - I imagine I'll try something like this out at some point, but I'm not in any urgent rush to do so.

Also, thanks for the reminder of the bribes incentives that are sometimes offered by suppliers - I realised I'd opted out of smart meter nags from EDF some time ago when I had some building work going on, I've opted back in and will see if any such offers materialise.

It does seem peculiar that available EDF smart meter installation appointments are like hen's teeth, but maybe it's simply that replacement of RTS meters has taken priority.

The_Groat_Counter

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81883520#Comment_81883520

@pseudodox - just curious, can you remember approximately when EDF made you that £300 credit offer? Also, can you recall if they'd made lower offers to you before that?

I had previously opted out of Smart Meter 'nags' with EDF (as I was having some work done that obstructed the meter), but I've opted back in now - just wondering if EDF have any kind of formula for their smart meter installation bribes incentives (e.g. have they been known to up-the-ante and increase the amount offered), or have such offers just been something that comes and goes?

I suspect it's the latter… and at a complete guess, with the current wholesale fuel price situation, EDF might wish to keep their financial firepower in reserve for other things at the moment.

pseudodox

I had been refusing SMs for several years. I got the £300 offer January 2025. They had offered a time limited £100 sometime in early 2024, but I kept them at bay as for them to be able to get to my meters would have meant a big clearout/reorganisation of my garage where both meters are located & I was not prepared to do that in winter/early spring. I knew my refusal cost them money in fines for not meeting targets, so gambled they might offer again. I knew my meters were out of certification so I had no objection to SMs beyond the inconvenience to myself.

When they put the offer of £300 it was based on my having to make an appointment by end of March (although actual installation could be later). I wanted it to happen in April to suit me & as they would only accept applications for appointments 6 weeks ahead I could not book until mid February. Of course they continued harassing me but I stood my ground. Installation went without a hitch, but they then screwed up my online account & it took some serious work by me to get it sorted & I threatened them with legal action for breach of contract when the £300 did not appear by the promised 30 days after installation. After 6 weeks it was all sorted, thanks to my persistence & an excellent CS person fighting my corner. In compensation for all the hassle they credited me with an extra £100. Definitely worth it all assuming like me you are not afraid to stand your ground when the s**t hits the fan!

The installer was excellent - explained all the ins & outs & offered to leave the meters in so called "dumb mode" (his words) so I could continue to submit my own readings each month. Because of this he did not leave me the junky IHD - if he had for it to be any use it would have to go within a range of the meter where I could not have conveniently kept an eye on it anyway. Just as easy to regularly read the meters to monitor my usage.

I have not seen anyone else on here say they got £300 offered, but of course only a tiny minority of the energy consumers are here. And many have a real aversion to EDF anyway so doubt they could be tempted to sign up in the expectation of free money!!

The_Groat_Counter

Thanks @pseudodox for your reply.

I likewise have no objection to smart meters - in fact I had been looking with an element of interest at the EDF "FreePhase" time-of-use tariffs, which are obviously only available to those with SMs, though with the current 'Persian excursion' related energy price spike the Dynamic tariff unsurprisingly doesn't look so good (and the Static tariff has been withdrawn for the moment).

Also I'm on a decent enough fix for the next year so there's no urgency on my part for a SM… though like you I'm aware my electricity meter is out of certification so they'll be wanting to update it at some point. So I'll just sit tight and wait to see if they offer a bribe an incentive - which I dare say wasn't likely to be offered whilst I was opted-out of SM installation reminders.

All that said, I do kinda like my solid old spinning disc electricity meter! Wonder if the installer might let me keep it as a bit of 'retrobilia'…?!

@pseudodox - any idea how they managed to screw up your online account during the switch over to a SM?

pseudodox

They put my new gas meter serial number on my account but not my new electric meter. Which meant I could not submit elec readings from the SM. The CS agent took readings from me by email but then billing ignored these, admonished me for failing to send readings & sent an estimated bill with "readings" from the old meter which by now had been gone 4 weeks & was probably in a skip! I went ape! Just fortunate I always read small print, check bills & won't be fobbed off. I refused to pay the estimate, gave EDF absolutely scorching online reviews which put a bomb under them & eventually got me huge apologies and the £100.

When you do get your SMs take photos of old & new. Check the meter numbers are updated on your account. I cannot believe this has only happened to me & only from EDF. Really does emphasise the need for customer vigilance. I feel so fortunate I can easily cope with all this "modern life" & feel so sorry for the old, ill & vulnerable who have to trust that all is well with these domestic issues. Fortunately some do find their way to this forum & get lots of help & advice - I fight my own battles, but happy to help others through the jungle.