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Original poster

Smart meters

16 replies

Hymnulop · 06/10/2022 23:46

So Liz is going to pay us £10 a day to cut energy usage during peak times but only if you have a smart meter

I have a fixed energy 3 year deal that ends in September 2023 which I obviously want to hold onto tightly!

If I switch to a smart meter does this effect my tariff at all? I'd try and speak to (online or phone) someone at my energy company but it just says they're overwhelmed with enquiries at the moment and to try later

I know I'm being unreasonable but wanted to get some responses before I book a smart meter appointment. Thank you.

OP posts:
HighlandPony · 07/10/2022 00:16

Can you get a smart meter appointment though? I waited a year on mine and it still never happened. We moved supplier and they tried to charge us because it was in the terms that the deal we had was because we were going to take a smart meter but shut up when we pointed out they’d cancelled twice and then said they couldn’t provide one at this time and would contact us in the future when then could but they never did.

earsup · 07/10/2022 00:20

Am also on a long cheaper fixed tariff....octopus do email me sometimes and ask if i want the smart meter so assume tariff stays the same....only an idiot would ditch a cheap fix..!!

Eeksteek · 07/10/2022 01:14

I’ve been after a smart meter for years. I think it took about 18 months waiting with my current supplier. It didn’t affect my fix though. (I suppose they don’t know what you are using when, if you don’t have one). I’ve had mine since April.

BeautifulBirds · 07/10/2022 01:36

Well this is unfair to people who can't have them fitted!!
I have been told twice now that due to my current gas meter it is not possible to have a smart meter.

MintJulia · 07/10/2022 01:41

And you believe her?

Original poster
Hymnulop · 07/10/2022 09:11

Oh I didn't realise there was a wait etc they keep offering me one but I wanted to check this before proceeding. Well has the deal not been done for this £10 thing or is it just pie in the sky? I've only seen the headline about it.

OP posts:
Dotjones · 07/10/2022 09:27

Taking a smart meter shouldn't affect your fixed price but you need to confirm that with your supplier first.

The "get £10 for avoiding peak times" thing has not been fully confirmed. This Times article makes it sound less promising than the headline suggests. It's not a case of make £10 a day all winter, it's only on days when the energy company alerts you that the option is available. It's expected to happen "at least" 12 times between November and March. So if you had any idea of making £300 a month, forget it. More like £20 to £30 perhaps. More than nothing but won't persuade many people to change their habits.

User38899953 · 07/10/2022 09:31

It's virtually impossible to get them fitted. I've been waiting 2 years. They finally came a few months ago and said the current meter wasn't compatible to be upgraded.

GasPanic · 07/10/2022 09:38

They are probably having issues getting them due to the chip shortage - it's still affecting lots of products.

Don't know whether this is a good idea or not.

Original poster
Hymnulop · 07/10/2022 09:56

Oh well that's answered my question really. I won't bother! Thanks.

OP posts:
Ccoffee · 07/10/2022 20:13

I just had one fitted yesterday, asked for it 3 weeks ago. Certainly wasn't waiting months/years. This was with Octopus.

Skiphopbump · 07/10/2022 20:16

I requested one just over a week ago and it’s being fitted in the 24th, this is with EON - no long wait here.

Original poster
Hymnulop · 07/10/2022 21:06

Oh that's interesting, we're with Scottish Power.

OP posts:
WhiteFire · 07/10/2022 21:09

Hymnulop · 07/10/2022 21:06

Oh that's interesting, we're with Scottish Power.

With the sheer hounding / harassment I am getting from SP about having one fitted I would hope they would fit it almost immediately if I actually answered their calls agreed.

user26189065 · 07/10/2022 21:17

I can't see British Gas offering this as they can't seem to even do economy 7 with their meters, it may be only certain energy firms. There will be a big furore about it anyway because a lot of people have SMETS1 meters that aren't connected yet through no fault of their own, these customers got smart meters in good faith and now they are dumb so they won't be eligible

user26189065 · 07/10/2022 21:20

Dotjones · 07/10/2022 09:27

Taking a smart meter shouldn't affect your fixed price but you need to confirm that with your supplier first.

The "get £10 for avoiding peak times" thing has not been fully confirmed. This Times article makes it sound less promising than the headline suggests. It's not a case of make £10 a day all winter, it's only on days when the energy company alerts you that the option is available. It's expected to happen "at least" 12 times between November and March. So if you had any idea of making £300 a month, forget it. More like £20 to £30 perhaps. More than nothing but won't persuade many people to change their habits.

So you can't go on a long holiday like retired folk do and pick up 10 quid a day then.

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