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Do we need a smart meter to move from prepayment to fixed direct debit?
Hi everyone, I'll cut right to the chase. Whenever I input my address to get a quote from a company, we are simply told in some form or another "hey, you have a prepayment meter, call us for a quote". I don't mind at all honestly but my parents are still wearing their tinfoil hats regarding them.
We've been on prepayment meter for the better part of 20 years, so this is an area I'm completely oblivious to. I've also noticed I can't see any fixed deals on the cheap energy club unless I say I already pay by direct debit. Is that how it's supposed to be? It usually grabs the details of how we pay automatically, but then all the offers shown are prepay only.
Thanks.
Comments
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A traditional prepayment meter needs the key (or card for gas) to be topped up otherwise it will cut off the supply. It can't be used in credit mode.
To move to a credit account your supplier will need to replace your prepayment meter with a new credit meter.
The only new meters being fitted are smart meters.
So, the net result is that yes, changing to a credit account means getting a smart meter.
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Thanks for the swift response. I'll let my parents know they need to ride the price cap or go smart.
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You might ask them to confirm to you what some of their fears are about smart meters - sadly there are a lot of unscrupulous folk out there preying on those vulnerable to being made fearful about things like your parents, by using myths and over-stating relatively minor issues. As a general rule those things are extremely easily refuted- and facts given with the correct information. You could post their fears here and we could myth bust if you think that might help by giving you something to show them to set their minds at rest?
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I had that chat with them already and we've already had our smart meter installed. I was quite surprised that British Gas were able to get it done so swiftly. Booked the appointment online just after 8pm on Thursday and by Friday afternoon it was all sorted.
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