Aibu (or would I be silly) to change energy supplier for a smart meter?

[CoffeeFirstPlease]

I have been with Scottish Power over a year and I am not able to get a smart meter all it keeps saying is there is no availability in my area. I had a smart meter with British gas and I preferred being able to see my usage etc. I know there's no price difference at the moment and I'm not on a fixed tariff is it silly to go through the hassle of a switch just for a smart meter? My dd is £163 up from £97.

Are smart meters better? Does it make you more conscious of your usage?

I think the problems with getting smart meters installed is universal at the moment. I'm with EDF and it's taken weeks of checking the website daily to get a slot for someone to fit one. So you might not be any better off if you do switch.

Yes, I'm also on a very long list in London - and have been for 3 months

Don't forget they will promise anything to get you to change

Yes it helps keeping a eye on usage. I got mine down by a LOT with mine. I don't understand why they're pushing everyone to have one though when there's a shortage.

I'm nowhere near you but Eon Next were nagging me to get one, and had an appointment within a couple of weeks of me finally ringing them. This was only last month.

Scottish Power is constantly telling me I need a smart meter. They are now offering me a cheaper monthly DD if I change to a Smart Meter.
I'm happy with the SP app I can see what I'm using give readings and change my DD.

Can you switch at all? I tried to switch for a lower standing charge for a relative's empty house (gone into care) but couldn't- no suppliers willing to take it on.

I don't even know if I can switch but I've been checking for the last 11months to get one and even called and they still can't help.

My provider has been pushing and pushing for me to have one but I don't want it. I really don't see how having a smart metre is really that helpful? Isn't it obvious that the way to keep costs down is to turn stuff off? I wouldn't change suppliers to get one.

E.ON are terrible at fitting smart meters - I've been waiting since October

I wouldn't change suppliers, and tbh I would never get a smart meter!

I have honestly never heard a good thing about them!

I work for a company that fits these. Current wait time on Scotland is 8 weeks plus.

I've been waiting 2 years for one from Eon! How are people getting them so quickly?! Whenever I request one it says they'll contact me or that it's not possible in my area.

They tried to fit a smart meter in my house recently but every time they tried to activate it my fuse box got tripped. After a couple of tries they had to remove the smart meter and put the old meter back in place

If you live in London or Scotland currently we have really long waiting times.

@User65412

I would have tried to bump you up the list but we don't work with eon currently- sorry

I didn't have long to wait and I'm in Scotland although it was a failed attempt as the smart meter kept tripping my fuse box so they took it out again

@User65412
It's probable that whoever your supplier has as their preferred supplier to fit these meters have limited or no engineers in your area. Hence the wait.

Thanks @sophienelisse
I think it's something to do with the fact that the one I have is an 'old style' smart meter? Obviously fitted by a different company so doesn't now send readings. Also no in home display so it's just like a regular meter really. Eon don't send me reminders to read it so they think it's a smart meter but it doesn't actually send readings....or something 🤣

Cross Post @sophienelisse
That explains the wait. Thanks. We were with first utility before this and they couldn't do it either. I'm obsessed with getting one I need to get over it!

I've been trying for the past 3 year to get a smart meter with Scottish Power and each time its "wait for installers in your area".

I really want to switch but no companies are taking on new customers.