Aclara SGM1416-B Smart Meter historic data

binky99

I have been renting since November 2025. The flat is fitted with the above meter and I have been sent lots of estimated bills from EDF Energy for the month of October 2025 - when I think the flat was empty - the previous tenant having moved out. Nothing really to do with me since I use Octopus but I'm trying to clarify the correct readings. Although a smart meter neither EDF or my supplier can get a reading - I simply submit my readings on the 1st of each month (economy 7). Having spoken to EDF I got them to change the opening reading (their final reading) but their reading of 1st October is an estimated and therefore more as likely wrong. My question is do these meters have any local historic readings held in memory that could be checked back that far so EDF could get a correct reading

Thanks

Ildhund

This meter takes a snapshot of the index readings each day at midnight GMT and stores them, but only for 31 days.

On the other hand, half-hourly usage data are also recorded, and stored for ~400 days. This should be retrievable, e.g. via Bright. These figures will give a guide to peak and offpeak usage, but they will never be able to match the index readings precisely because of the meter's built-in delay (in theory up to 30 minutes, but in practice usually less than 15 minutes) in offpeak period start- and end times. However, the sum of each day's half-hourly usage should tally within a Wh or two with the difference between the total import register readings.

Reed_Richards

My Comms Hub stopped communicating in July 2025 and was not successfully replaced until October 2025. The meter was not changed but neither my supplier nor Bright recovered the missing data. So although this data may have been stored on the meter, that doesn't mean that anyone will want to go to the trouble of recovering it.

QrizB

Welcome to the forum!

Nothing really to do with me since I use Octopus but I'm trying to clarify the correct readings.

Your landlord or agent should have taken a reading when the previous tenant moved out. And you should have taken a reading when you moved in (or when your tenancy started, if that was earlier than your movin-in day). These are the relevant readings that EDF should be using and your landlord should be paying for.

Also, you say "I use Octopus". When exactly did you join Octopus? It's possible there is a day or two (or more) at the very start of your tenancy when you were still an EDF customer.

binky99

I think I signed the contract about 25th Oct. I moved in on 3rd November and immediately took a picture and notified Octopus of the readings to start my bill. So EDF are trying to bill from beginning October to 5th November. They are just sending letters to "the home owner" hence why I opened it/them I have passed them on to the landlord but he's not doing much. Yes nothing really to do with me but I wanted to ensure the bill was accurate. They kept billing estimated readings which I assume the previous tenant paid. I asked EDF why they didn't fix the meter not giving them readings and they said nobody asked (which I guess is fair). I've never been an EDF customer by the way. I did tell them I can't legally tell them who the home owner is so they should get his details from Land Registry. I guess I was just intrigued whether the meter itself (EDF 's own meter) would hold those readings

QrizB

I think I signed the contract about 25th Oct. I moved in on 3rd November and immediately took a picture and notified Octopus of the readings to start my bill. So EDF are trying to bill from beginning October to 5th November.

When exactly did your tenancy begin? It will say on your contract. That's the date that you became liable for the energy bills at your property.

Sorry to labour this point, but we do sometimes get folk posting on the forum where they're being chased for payment for the first few days of their tenancy before their switch to their chosen supplier had happened.

Reed_Richards

Sorry, @binky99 but you were an EDF customer from the start date on your rental agreement to the date you switched to Octopus. That's the way it works; when you move in to a property you inherit the supplier of the previous resident. Even if the flat was empty, there will be the standing charge to pay and there may have been a few things left on (like a fridge) and these consumed electricity. The only consolation is that your landlord is liable for any charges whilst the flat was untenanted.

Scot_39

Its probably not relevant - as I assume you dont have a working IHD talking to the meter either - but just in case.

The meters also store 13 months snapshot of total energy import - as a coarse history scroll (allowing the IHD to scroll back last 8 days of daily , 5 weeks of weekly and 13 months of monthly import).

It wont be split by register for likes of an E7 meter - just total import - in the historic data log - so if you had an IHD you could possibly still see exactly how much was used in Oct and Nov 2025.

But as the meter doesn't communicate on WAN and its a flat - I am guessing a non WAN location - also means a no HAN / IHD location - so thats not an option either.

I would hope that if your tenancy start date was close to the 3rd - you will only be liable for a couple of days max on the EDF demand from 1st Oct - 5th Nov.

Did no one mention EDF to you - it should have been part of the handover (sometimes landlords make provision in the rental agreement so that they can register you at the address when at end of say a void period - to reduce their liability)

You only mention billing 1st Oct to 5th Nov - so I am assuming EDF accept they are no longer the supplier beyond that date.

binky99

Thanks for your comments - much appreciated. I checked my records

I went to the flat and signed contract 25/10/25. The landlord didn't show me the meter but gave me a form to fill in at my leisure asking for electric and water readings and general comments on flat condition. With Hindsight I should have taken those readings with him present

I moved from my house into the flat on Monday 03/11/25. I did ask Octopus how to deal and they said to submit opening (the rental flat) and closing (house) readings respectively which I did and my new contract with Octopus started on 03/11.

Here is the latest bill to the homeowner from EDF (below)

The bill was much larger and I have already corrected them with the opening readings from 3rd November so they are accurate. The 6th October reading is an estimate and likely wrong

@Reed_Richards - fair comment - yes I am liable from 25th October. However, I never had an EDF account and they are reluctant to speak with me on that basis

So really I would like to see an accurate reading/bill from 6th October

I do not know when the previous tenant moved out of the flat. Clearly he or the landlord should have taken and provided a final reading for his usage. EDF won't share that information with me

Anyway , to my question if there are apps that can retrieve historic data - can't EDF access that information themselves - either though an app or by sending an engineer to the flat?

Thanks!

QrizB

Anyway , to my question if there are apps that can retrieve historic data - can't EDF access that information themselves - either though an app or by sending an engineer to the flat?

EDF cannot. The DCC will only make data in your meter available to your current supplier, Octopus.

You might be able to get some insight by using the Bright app (mentioned in the first reply) or similar, but this information doesn't include the index readings.

So really I would like to see an accurate reading/bill from 6th October

In all honesty, this is nonenof your concern. Billing from the 6th of October to the 25th of October is only of interest to your landlord.

yes I am liable from 25th October. However, I never had an EDF account and they are reluctant to speak with me on that basis

When you inform EDF that you became their customer from the 25th of October, they will create an account in your name and will no longer be reluctant to speak to you.

I would guess that EDF will bill you for ~100kWh at the day rate and ~10kWh at the night rate plus standing charge, which will be a total of about £40.

Reed_Richards

You might be able to get some insight by using the Bright app (mentioned in the first reply) or similar, but this information doesn't include the index readings.

No, but you can get daily readings so adding the ones from 25th October to 3rd November should tell you how much electricity was really used.

Do your Octopus bills show your start date as 3rd November? EDF seem to think you were with them until 5th November and Octopus should have told them that date as well as the closing readings.