Electricity company and pressure to get a smart meter

I refused because my house is made of materials that don't allow signals to pass through the walls easily, we have boosters all over the house, even the boiler has to have one to recieve signals from the thermostat.

I haven’t been pressurised into getting a smart meter yet but I know the company is likely to push one on to me.  I have heard too many horror stories of incorrect bills with smart meters. I am quite capable of knowing where and how I can save energy without a meter, so I will say no.

The issue is that they are mandated to push at the present time, and in future it is likely they will be mandated to fit smart meters everywhere.

You can't get a replacement meter of the conventional type - so if your current meter were to malfunction - this is the only option.

After much recent argument - with an overseas representative of my provider - in which he didn't answer the question I had anyway, he informed me he was making an appointment for a smart meter to be fitted - despite no request being made.  If I hadn't of heard him garbling out this nonsense, they'd have been at the door. 

I will resist it because so many are unhappy with them.  I don't need to be told to regulate my consumption nor do I ever pay late or see any other benefit to me - only to them.  And seeing the wretched things cost money to make, and to install - I feel I am saving money by saving them the bother. 


Of course this post is nearly a year old, and someone has given it fresh life - but this is one of the things that really frustrates me.  Officialdom bearing down on people without logic, or recourse to individual circumstance.  

There is currently no legal requirement to have a smart meter. You can ignore them and there is nothing the can do.

The long term objective is to have variable pricing during the day based on overall demand. To enable this the energy companies need people to have smart meters.

Eventually you may get cheaper electricity at some times and more expensive at other times, rather than just a flat rate (or 2 rates, day & night) at the moment. This is not in place yet.

They want it to be like plane tickets. To manage demand by varying the price. This allows them to encourage people to use energy when it is available, like wind is blowing or the sun is shining, rather than when you want it. It is part of net zero.

It saves you having to submit readings, if the radio in the meter works and not all do. It also allows you to see how much energy you use, but you already know the kettle uses a lot and you aren't going to stop having tea, so it has limited benefits. You may be able access slightly cheaper tariffs if you have one, but you don't really save anything unless you change what you do, like turn off more lights, use the microwave less, buy a more efficient freezer, etc.

The main beneficiaries in the long term are the energy companies as they can be more efficient. The government like it as they think using less energy is good as it reduces carbon emissions.

They also need it to help manage the network when all cars are electric and heating is electric, but we'll see how far that gets.

I remember feeling pressured into having a smart meter installed. Eventually I gave in. Although I’m glad I did, as I have found to have a smart meter very useful. Mine works fine and submits the readings to my energy company without a problem, meaning I don’t have to remember checking the meters every couple of months and submitting them manually. 
I can also see my usage in real time and know what is causing energy spikes and make small changes to help reduce my bill slightly. 

I would say, having it installed will give you more benefits than it does now. You can choose to still submit manual readings and not have the little device plugged in, if you prefer. I believe it will get to a point where a smart meter is compulsory as the government are pushing the scheme. Also some energy companies, if you ever decide to switch, will only accept smart meters. So I would say that you should really consider getting yours done, take the pressure off you and you’ll soon seen the benefits of having one 

These companies really are so frustrating on multiple levels. No wonder people have no faith/trust in them.

I had constant pressure to install a smart meter,  in the end I agreed.  I received a letter confirming date and time of the installation.   They never arrived, but the phone calls continued,  I complained and received £30 off my gas bill as compensation because it wasn't installed. 

Here is my view.The energy companies now are by and large offering similar deals.I have stuck with the same company for decades although at times they have driven me to despair.

I too have resisted a smart meter but am getting fed up reading that silly dial every few months then giving the reading and then getting a statement you need a degree in rocket science to understand.What kilowatts or whatever then standing charges then peak rate non peak etc.I am into money but have never understood energy prices.I see the benefit of smart meter if it runs reliably as bills to the penny and a chance to study usage.Who knows though.

Thanks - that reassuring anyway!

I had an electricity smart meter installed several years ago, and have no regrets as I feel it has helped to make life a little easier for me... No having to worry about estimated bills if the meter hasn't been read.

To be honest, I wish my gas meter could be changed to a smart meter too. It's a hassle to read as is situated high up on a wall in my garage. The only way I can read the meter is by taking photos with my digital camera, or asking my son to take photos with his smartphone.

My brother say his doesn’t work. I also saw a thing about them on tv where people had been sent crazily high bills because the smart meter was malfunctioning- I really don’t need that kind of stress. 

Thanks Matcha - I really appreciate you sharing your experience with this - really helpful :) 

I mean some people I know who have them have no problems and like them. But for me seeing how many have gone wrong its not worth the risk (and the place I've just moved into, the smart meter here doesn't work)

Yep. My energy company also lied to me about my meter to try to get me to upgrade. Shell energy continually phoned me and told me my meter 'will stop working in 2025' so I refused anyway and asked a neighbour if that was true. The neighbour (who owns his flat) laughed and said it was complete nonsense the manual meters still work and are very safe. Tough as old bricks. They don't make em like they used to.

The energy companies get money from the government to install smart meters which is why they keep annoying everyone. But the smart meters often stop working, I know lots of people whos smart meters no longer work and theyve had lots of problems with bills not being correct as a result. Don't get a smart meter, you are under no obligation to accept one.

I didn’t know about the register you mention here - I’ll look into that - thank you

I'd leave thigs as they are, or force the management company to allow an inspection, I think gas and electricity suppliers have statutory right of entry? If they've not seen your meter then how do they know it's dangerous? You do not have to have a smart meter, it sounds like you're being bullied. Smart meters might be easier, but thats when they work and depending on what your building is made from they might not.

Yes. I have no access to my meter as it's in a locked room in the basement. The building management company supplies a reading to me once a month but won't open the room for installations. My ex has told the electricity company this several dozen times but they keep phoning him asking to install a smart meter (I can't do calls so my number isn't on the account). They started trying to say the meter is too old and unsafe. I've told him to block their calls as there's nothing we can do to get the meter fitted and they won't take no for an answer.

As an additional thought, who are you with? I am with British Gas and on their priority services register. If your current company has such a thing, request to be added, and that should solve the issue of them contacting you. I've done the same with all my utilities.  

Bite the bullet and get a smart meter. It makes life so much easier; it certainly did for me anyhow. 

Yes - a good approach! I like to be polite but you’re right - you can be polite but also very firm. Thanks :)