Smart Meters

[Arrods]

I'm not particularly bothered with having a smart meter, I'm perfectly happy to take the readings from the current meters and submit them on line. However, in changing energy supplier recently, I may have misread the following extract from the 'welcome' letter in thinking it was optional:

"By choosing this tariff you agree to be contacted, where eligible, for the installation of a smart meter and have one installed for each fuel we supply. You will stay on this tariff if we aren't able to fit a smart meter."

I'm now receiving communications suggesting I 'agreed' to have a smart meter as part of my new energy tariff. But at the end of the letter it states give them a call if I don't want a smart meter! (It doesn't say what would happen if I said no e.g. you'll go onto a higher tariff.)

If I have to end up having a smart meter, so be it - but my main worry is about getting one that will work if I need to change suppliers in the future. I've read that the first generation ones weren't reliable. Would appreciate ABers experience in the light of the above. Thanks.

[Zacs-Master]

They’re just ‘plug and play’. If you change provider they will send you a compatible one. I think the reliability issues are long gone.

[dannyk13]

It depends on whether your smart meter would be compatible with your new supplier. I have just changed supplier and my meter is compatible with my new supplier.

[Arrods]

Thanks for the comments Zacs and Danny. I'm incommunicado for the rest of the day so thanks in advance to anyone responding later.

[Hopkirk]

My worry about having one fitted is having a hastily recruited and undertrained workman making a right mess in our home with no benefit to me.

[Georgiesmum]

Ive had mine a while now and I think they are the best thing since sliced bread!

[Zacs-Master]

Hopkirk, they just plug into yr phone line.

[EDDIE51]

Yes the current ones are VERY reliable , we have never had a problem! The older models have been replaced !

[derek-33]

zacs master i though the smart meter (i have one) is not the plug and play monitor but the actual meter in the electric box or wherever the power comes into your home , this is from an energy supplier.........
"Having a smart meter doesn't affect your right to switch energy providers whenever you want. So if you've had a smart meter installed but you want to move to a new supplier, you will still be able to do so. However, you may find your smart meter loses its functionality and reverts to being a traditional meter."

[Zacs-Master]

You’re correct Derek. I was thinking of the little ‘dashboard’ thingy.

[Tuvok]

We got one when we were with Scottish Gas - when we changed supplier the meter lost its smart capabilities.

There was no benefit to having a smart meter as the monitor unit was worse than hopeless to use - so we never used it long term.