Smart meters

tenalady

Hi

I've been told by British Gas that I must have smart meters fitted now and if I don't then my meters that I have will become my responsibility and I would like to know if this is true or are they spinning me a yarn to make me have them because I have been saying no for years I have always paid my bills never been an issue with anything always gave meter readings so why are they insisting

oldernonethewiser

If the meters need to be replaced then they will be replaced with Smart ones.

Netexporter

Meters have a finite working life and have to be changed periodically. The meter is the responsibility of the supplier and they can make a forced entry to change it, if necessary. Better to arrange for a convenient time to get it changed. Usually takes less than an hour.

QrizB

Welcome to the forum!

I've been told by British Gas that I must have smart meters fitted now

Have they given any more details as to "why now"? Are your meters old and out of certification, for example?

It's a fact that Ofgem has given suppliers targets for smart meter replacements, and failing to meet those targets results in financial penalties. And in principle if your meters are uncertified, they're not allowed to supply you and so they could remove them and disconnect you.

If I don't then my meters that I have will become my responsibility

That particular bit does sound far-fetched.

I have been saying no for years

Is there any reason why you've said no? Meter replacement is a pretty routine task for most people and rarely takes more than an hour.

why are they insisting

As above - they have targets, and they're not allowed to supply uncertified meters.

Reed_Richards

Your electricity meter belongs to your supplier; if you change suppliers then the meter ownership changes to your new supplier. Your electricity meter will never become your responsibility except insofar as you are always responsible for taking care of it and making sure it does not get damaged.

Scot_39

The no for years - might mean that you are now end of certified life on one or both your meters.

Do you know the makes and models of your meters - are they old mechanical gas - old analogue electric - or newer digital electric ?

I am not sure BG can ever wash their hands of their license responsibility for the meters for a domestic supply or even for the accuracy of the meters - so "meters your responsibility" ringing pretty hollow to me.

I do remember - and dont think they were idle threats - people being told would and sure some reported were taken off of multirate electric tariffs - and certainly a few posts here were from people taken off of fixed price contracts for refusing smart upgrades (and post(or was it posts) complaining were then charged at higher variable rates backdated) - when going smart in the conditions.

So at worst - until BG go full enforcement mode - and force access to fit new meters if need to - you might find yourself restricted to default SVT tariffs.

Why do you keep on saying no ?

Ive had my smart meter for c8 years - it works the same as my old meter - simple two register billing as my old digital and simpler than the RTS twin meter set-up before that (I couldn't even submit myself - so had to take and phone in readings monthly for many years).

I don't use any of the fancy smart tariffs - yet.

But it saves me going outside (in the rain or cold at times) once a month to read it and sending readings to my supplier (a contract condition for mine).

I also find the IHD useful - for instance it tells me my off peak rate has gone active since started to type this - so Im going to go and stick the oven on - and I can see my hot water is heating from the 3kW+ power being drawn.

MarzipanCrumble

Agree with @Scot_39 Don't have to go outside but my gas meter is under the stairs and awkward to get at to read. I actually spent time exploring with octopus why my meters had stopped communicating. Octopus sent an engineer (power boost) etc, then replaced and fitted a hub.

Now I have changed supplier and a couple of hic-ups but meters communicating and I can see exactly how much I have used on my mobile via the app.

Also I am able to choose from a full range of tarrifs if I so wish and/or get solar or EV.

What is not to like about having SMs?

dnpark38

OT

I'm with Octopus and I can't read my smart meters could you tell me about this modification and being able to see them on your phone if you have a moment please?

PS. my meters do communicate to Octopus.

tfhnota

If you agree to a smart meter also ask them to fit a two pole isolator switch after the incoming fuse, other upgrades may need this in the future and it gets done for free by most of these companies if you have a new meter. There is a bit of a lottery as to the resulting meter readings, the accuracy is plus or minus three percent, so your old meter may be charging more or less than the theoretical rate and when the new one replaces it you may end up with slightly higher or lower bills for the same usage. In my case they were around 4 percent lower, so happy days! I was a bit reluctant, too, but think it was a good idea now because of access to cheaper tariffs and no need to have readings taken. Interestingly, despite the smart meters BG continued to send someone around to read them, perhaps because I am ultra low user, but Octopus have never bothered. BG were accurate updating the readings in the account after the change, as well.

sheenas

its controversial but I think anyone refusing a meter change should be disconnected. The energy supplier has the responsibility to accurately monitor and bill customers in a cost effective way.

Newbie_John

I genuinely struggle to see why anyone would knowingly refuse unless they have something shady going on.

If you dont, then you will just get a new meter that accurately records your usage, you can treat same old wayand take your readings every month, stay with same tarrif - dont have to use any of the smart features, replace and forget.

Recent example of mine, my daughter managed to put heating on in her room in the middle of summer - I spotted it only thanks to smart meter and IHD shwoing random large spikes, switched off within 1h whereas with old school meter I wouldnt know for a month resulting in ££ wasted.