Couple of questions about electricity meters

Mattrm · 19 Aug 2019

1) if the electric meter belongs to the company you buy your electricity from (as opposed to the DNO) why can you change suppliers without needing your meter changed wouldn’t the old supplier want their meter back

2) I got a letter today about fitting a evil smart meter. Do I have the right to refuse a smart meter where do I stand on this issue? At the moment they are “offering” to fit one but I am worried that they may become more persistent and forceful with time.

flameport · 19 Aug 2019

1 - Agreements between suppliers to take over the existing one. Would be far more expensive to change the meter every time someone changes supplier.
2 - Whether it is optional or not depends on the contract you have with the electricity supplier.

EFLImpudence · 19 Aug 2019

flameport said:
2 - Whether it is optional or not depends on the contract you have with the electricity supplier.

I suppose that is true if already signed to agree to having one, but as they are merely 'offering' then you may, at present, decline the offer.

No doubt at some time it will be compulsory.

AndyPRK · 19 Aug 2019

Although over the past years if u move supplier your old smart meter would be removed and new one fitted.

Two reasons for this.

1. They don’t work when you change supplier.

2. So they can claim a sm has been fitted.

JohnW2 · 19 Aug 2019

EFLImpudence said:
I suppose that is true if already signed to agree to having one...

Indeed. When I was extensively surveying what was on offer from many suppliers (prior to 'switching') earlier in the year, a substantial proportion of the cheaper tariffs on offer (and all, or virtually all, tariffs for some suppliers) were only available to those who agreed to have a smart meter installed.

Kind Regards, John

Harry Bloomfield · 19 Aug 2019

flameport said:
1 - Agreements between suppliers to take over the existing one. Would be far more expensive to change the meter every time someone changes supplier.

That is what they have had to do three or four times so far, here, for our smart meters..

More and more suppliers are offering contracts whereby they can insist you have a SM.

Jackrae · 20 Aug 2019

Could the supply of the cheapest tariff being conditional on having a smart meter fitted be interpreted as "unfair terms and conditions"

Harry Bloomfield · 20 Aug 2019

Jackrae said:
Could the supply of the cheapest tariff being conditional on having a smart meter fitted be interpreted as "unfair terms and conditions"

No, why would it be unfair? They can set what ever terms they like, for you to agree to a contract with them - your choice is to accept the terms or reject them. It might be unfair, if they mentioned it in really tiny print, or the terms of the contract were excessively long and complex, hiding that condition away in the text.

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Couple of questions about electricity meters

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