Gas Smart Meter - No Display/Battery Dead - Estimated Closing Read?

jimjames

I've come to do a closing read at my property and found that the gas smart meter wasn't showing anything. IHD has no info on gas only electricity. Googled the model number and pressing the buttons suggested made no difference. When I spoke to a very helpful person at Octopus they said that the battery had run down so needed replacement and are sending someone to replace it but as I'm no longer at the house it's not in my control when that happens. Apparently the last reading the smart meter supplied was August 2025 so it's been well over a year without an actual read. Should their systems pick up that they're no longer getting automatic readings from the meter? It seems a long time to go without an actual read but more of an issue of how they calculate the closing read when the meter can't be read. If the battery is replaced soon then the reading will be quite close to the moving date but I'm aware we're heading into the highest consumption period so if there is a delay I don't want to pay for someone else's use.

Has anyone had this situation before and know how they do the closing read and close the account when there is potentially unbilled consumption outstanding?

Alnat1

Have Octopus been sending you bills with an estimated gas reading for the last year or have they not billed any gas usage at all?

Swipe

I'm guessing they'll default to estimated usage based on the industry data (which can be wildly inaccurate) if they don't get a reading within about 6 weeks of the account being closed. All you can do is keep chasing Octopus to send someone out ASAP, that's assuming the meter is outside and that a battery can be replaced without switching the gas off if no one is in.

I have such low confidence in utility companies these days that I take regular manual meter readings and keep a spreadsheet. I also scrutinise all bill start and end readings and rates charged so issues such as this can be dealt with as soon as they arise.

MWT

Generally suppliers do not replace the batteries in smart gas meters, they just replace the meter, so whatever happens from here it is going to be an estimated meter reading.

If Octopus have left it for over 12 months without a meter reading being received or a data collector reading being recorded then there is an argument for invoking the back-billing rules as it is over 12 months since the last accurate bill…

That may not be as much use as it sounds though if there have been DD payments all the way up to the date of leaving but it should at least mean that they cannot ask for any more money to close the account.

squirrelpie

That may not be as much use as it sounds though if there have been DD
payments all the way up to the date of leaving but it should at least
mean that they cannot ask for any more money to close the account.

Perhaps the OP can withdraw any positive balance before the bill is generated?

Boohoo

Nearly 14 months of estimated monthly meter readings and you never noticed?

I was under the impression that gas meters shut off when the batteries die unlike electric ones.

I could be wrong but I think it was mentioned on here.

QrizB

Perhaps the OP can withdraw any positive balance before the bill is generated?

Like most suppliers, Octopus won't authorize a credit refund without a recent meter reading and "actual" bill.

Boohoo

As OP has left the the building what will happen if new people move in and want to change supplier and gas meter not working?

If new supplier installs a new meter what happens to the old one and can any readings be obtained from a dead battery meter?

Swipe

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82168085#Comment_82168085

They'll just push back and insist on an estimated closing reading rather than go through that rigmarole and the new occupant won't care as they won't be out of pocket.

jimjames

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82167480#Comment_82167480

It's been estimated as I understand it.

jimjames

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82167975#Comment_82167975

I'd read that about gas meters too but supply certainly seems to be working despite no display on meter. I don't live at the property and wasn't the person being billed as it was previous tenant. I'm just doing the closing reads between tenancies and am liable for the use in the void period.

If new supplier installs a new meter what happens to the old one and can any readings be obtained from a dead battery meter?

There seem to be different views online whether readings can be obtained once the meter is back at their site but everything suggests the meter will be replaced not the battery. Any reading is then out of my control and reliant on getting linked back to the account. Whole thing just gets very messy. I'd got no idea that battery would stop meter working at all but for electric I assume no battery is needed.

All you can do is keep chasing Octopus to send someone out ASAP, that's assuming the meter is outside and that a battery can be replaced without switching the gas off if no one is in.

Meter is inside so will need access to the house which means I can't sort the appointment or do the chasing.