British gas intend fitting an unwanted smart meter...

EssexHebridean

Allowing that smart meters can give you access to a lot of tariffs which can save you money, there is little logic in being determined not to have one. If this was just a routine meter change and nobody had mentioned the word “smart” would you still feel reluctant? It’s not clear what age group you are, but you may never have experienced a meter change before - it’s a very swift and routine procedure so if the change itself is your concern, then there is no need to worry.

We do find a lot of people turn up on here with the idea that smart meters can do all sorts of things which will be a problem for them - the possibility of remote disconnection often comes up. Yes - they have that ability, but it can only be used in exactly the same situation in which if you had a traditional meter, the energy company would be at your door able to force entry to disconnect your meter anyway. As long as you pay your bills - or liaise with the supplier if you are strugging, that’s not going to be an issue for you.

Unfortunately there are folk out there who get their kicks from frightening the vulnerable about things like this - think anti-vaxxers too. It’s not a nice way to behave, but sadly there have always been disreputable people around who will use false information to scare others. If you’d be happy to share your reservations, we can almost certainly debunk what you’ve been told.

Ectophile

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81938979#Comment_81938979

The trouble is that it isn't your meter. It belongs to the energy company. So it's their choice what meter they fit.

matelodave

As said above, its their meter and they decide what to fit and when they want to change it.

Although a meter may be certified for a certain period that doesn't means that its at end of life when the certification period runs out, neither does it means that the energy company have to run it right up to the end of its certification period.

They can make their own rules and have their own processes and you either accept them or move your supply to another provider who may leave it for a while, although that said, suppliers are being penalised if they don't install smart meters so you are only putting off the inevitable.

dunstonh

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81938979#Comment_81938979

Simply, you don't get to choose, as it's not your meter.

There is no logical reason not to have a smart meter now. SMETS1 you could understand not wanting one of those but SMETS2 resolved those issues. Remember that a smart meter is effectively the same as a non-smart meter but with a comms unit on it. If a SMETS2 meter stops reporting (rare) then it becomes the same as a non-smart meter.

EssexHebridean

Hopefully the OP will explain their concerns, and we’ll be able to set their mind at rest.

Heedtheadvice

So 'Personal choice'.

As explained several times it is not your's to choose.

But also saying it is personal choice does not give the reason why you would choose that if you could.

I would be wrong to presume you are just one of the people who like to be obstructive just for the sake of it where you can ( you can be only for so long depending upon your supplier's action). It does read to me though that you have had a reason to resist them updating their meter but it has been shown that your reason is not valid.

debitcardmayhem

By now, why would we care….7 pages already and going nowhere. Horse and water springs to mind

ohreallƳ

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81940830#Comment_81940830

By going no-where, do you mean because I'm not pandering to unnecessary probing?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81940758#Comment_81940758

Your final sentence, I have not elucidated so it cannot possibly be shown my reason is not valid! (it is valid).

My Q. has been answered through DM.

fuzzzzy

I posted earlier in the thread on my own reasons for not wanting a smart meter but the post got deleted due to me using an asterisked profanity 😳. So I will rephrase it.

I don't have an EV, I have no desire for an agile tariff, up until now I have always been able to get the fixed rate tariffs I have wanted with my non-smart meter, and I don't think having a smart meter will change my behaviour.

My main objection is that with any change there is always the potential for something to go wrong, so I would rather keep the status quo for as long as possible. There is a well known phrase "If it ain't broke don't fix it."

I do accept that at some point I will have to have a meter upgraded once the certification expires but as everything at present is going along tickety boo I would rather just carry on as I am. Is there really anything wrong with that point of view?

QrizB

Is there really anything wrong with that point of view?

There's nothing wrong with your point of view, but when your supplier wants to replace your meter you should let them do it.