British Gas want to 'upgrade my smart meter'

kuepper

When I signed in to view my latest bill I was prompted to get my smart meter renewed. I asked why via their chat facility and the agent just gave me blah blah blah about more efficiency and taking readings every 30 mins. Is this really necessary when i've only had it a couple of years?

Netexporter

I don't think they want to physically change the meter, they just want to change the software/firmware to half-hourly settlement, which is now the industry standard. It won't make any difference to your current tariff but it will give you access to more dynamic tariffs, that could save you money.

jackieblack

Ultimately, they own the meter and if they require it to be changed they legally have the right to do so

kuepper

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82106616#Comment_82106616

Well it says :"We need to replace your smart meter. Book in your free upgrade to a newer, more efficient version".and they says "it should take around 2 hours" so that sounds like a replacement

Netexporter

You say the meter is recent. If recent means more than 5 years old then it is a SMETS1 meter which they want to change to a SMETS2 compliant meter.

kuepper

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82106661#Comment_82106661

Thanks.Just checked via Citizen Advice and it is SMETS1 so probably best to get it sorted

Netexporter

A straight swap shouldn't take much more than half an hour.

Is there a 100A 2-pole isolator switch between the service head and the meter? If not, they wish to fit one (I specifically asked for one to be fitted with my smart meter). It is worth having as it makes having any future electrical work involving the consumer unit easier and safer and means the electrician doesn't have to call the DNO to pull the main fuse, which costs time and money.

Syman

BG changed the meter in my daughters house last week.

took about 45 mins.

very little disruption. new in house display.

all positive IMO

Scot_39

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6680139/british-gas-want-to-upgrade-my-smart-meter

i dont know why it would be more efficient, and smets1 meters provide half hourly data if your opted in (if not you should have been prompted to allow at least for half hourly settlement recently)..

Smets2 itselft started rollout c8 years ago now, smets1 meters - trials c2011/12 iirc - so early smets1 could well be reaching end of life (based on previous non smart digital had 10 years only in some csses -15 maybe more typical -20 year maybe max life cycles).

And many will need a new comms hub soon enough anyway for the cellular 2g centrica to 4g vodafone switchover (possibly even in North for lrr problem areas)

Which might bring more reliable comms to some (but as soneone who left vodafone for poor home mobile coverage around time of 5g rollout when they reorganised local masts - sadly fear not all).

CSH1

I also have the same message, mine is definitely SMETS1, probably about 8 or so years old, I can't remember it was fitted by Eon. It sends half hourly readings and I am on the peak save Sunday and the other odd offers they do, all works fine but I still have to send meter readings for my bill every three months. It's like the meter is fine but there is some computer disconnect at their end. About two years ago there was a big problem with this and I wasn't getting bills but that part got fixed. I don't see how it would be more efficient though as I get all the smart meter savings offered.

gpman

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82109913#Comment_82109913

SMETS 1 meters are typically only certified for 10 years (unless component reliability modelling has been submitted and validated), so at 8 or so years old, it sounds like it's getting to the time it needs replacing.

Me? My non-smart, British made, electricity meter was installed over 30 years ago (it's older than that, but was re-certified just before installation) and has a good 10 years certification period still to run.