Do I have to have a new electricity meter?

[OzzyOwl]

My electricity supplier has told me I have to have a new electricity meter. If I don’t comply with this they put the tariff up to their standard variable rate which is almost double what mine was.
After the new meter is installed the new tariff that I can then go on will be more expensive than what I was on. In fact all three tariffs they are offering on the new meter are all more expensive. It appears I can’t have a smart meter as the mobile signal is poor where I live. There is nothing wrong with my meter as far as I know. An engineer recently told me I wouldn’t have to switch.
I have to wait until 3rd November for an engineer to come and change the meter and in the meantime I’m being charged the standard variable rate. I asked for them to put me back on my original rate until the engineer has been and the person I spoke to said they would email to ask if this was possible but he said it is unlikely.
a) do I have to have a new meter?
b) how can they get away with charging more in the interim?
c) any suggestions for the best switching site? So much for customer loyalty it seems!
Thank you.

[slainte caragh]

Re: Do I have to have a new electricity meter?

My electricity supplier has told me I have to have a new electricity meter. If I don’t comply with this they put the tariff up to their standard variable rate which is almost double what mine was.
On what grounds? Why are they insisting on changing the meter?

After the new meter is installed the new tariff that I can then go on will be more expensive than what I was on. In fact all three tariffs they are offering on the new meter are all more expensive. It appears I can’t have a smart meter as the mobile signal is poor where I live. There is nothing wrong with my meter as far as I know. An engineer recently told me I wouldn’t have to switch ,
False. you can still have a smart meter in a poor mobile signal area as long as you are prepared to call your readings in, the reason they say this is the meter relies on a good mobile signal (normally Vodafone or O2 interestingly enough) to send the readings from your meter to the central system. It will still work as a "dumb" meter.

I have to wait until 3rd November for an engineer to come and change the meter and in the meantime I’m being charged the standard variable rate. I asked for them to put me back on my original rate until the engineer has been and the person I spoke to said they would email to ask if this was possible but he said it is unlikely.
If you have not physically requested to change tariffs and you are still in contract period they have no right to penalise you by not returning you to the old tariff, remind them about OFGEM's ruling on fair billing.

a) do I have to have a new meter?
Unless it is faulty or you have a large debt and they are putting you on a prepay meter, I cannot see one earthly reason why you should. Why do they say you have to?

b) how can they get away with charging more in the interim
They can't, they are trying their luck!

c) any suggestions for the best switching site? So much for customer loyalty it seems?
What company is this? I have a bloody good idea but.. just out of interest. I would be contacting their CEO and asking for their opinion!
Thank you.

My answers are in blue, im very intrigued by this one!

[OzzyOwl]

Re: Do I have to have a new electricity meter?

Hello slainte caragh,

Thank you very much for all your comments . It is E.ON, is that who you thought it was?

I emailed the CAB this afternoon and will call them tomorrow. I will also contact OFGEM.

I’ve not requested to change tariff and have just been told that the meter is old (the date on it is 2002) and that the tariff I’m on is an old one which they are getting rid of.

[slainte caragh]

Re: Do I have to have a new electricity meter?

Yup.

That's exactly who I was thinking of. They are notoriously bad.

Ok, so I have to give it to them, the meter is coming up to the end of it's useful life. Any older and you can get misreads and crap like that.
Not good!

The old tariff expiring unfortunatly they ARE entitled to move you on to a variable rate if this is the case, I would suggest switching if they are really expensive. Compare the Market are pretty good, so are go compare (if you can bear being sung to ) Bening dyslexic I find youswitch confusing... but the telephone line couldn't be more helpful!

[OzzyOwl]

Re: Do I have to have a new electricity meter?

Thank you again. At least I might manage to be put back on the old tariff till they change the meter if they insist on doing so. I’ve just tweeted them too to see what happens. Call me naive but I’m pretty unimpressed at how they treat loyal customers!

[slainte caragh]

Re: Do I have to have a new electricity meter?

You're welcome!

Unfortunately, energy suppliers know they have somewhat of a majority, you're knackered without them. Water companies are worse cos you have no choice and can't leave.

I've worked in both sectors, not any longer, no it's lovely to be able to help as my speciality is kinda... specialised.

[OzzyOwl]

Re: Do I have to have a new electricity meter?

Thank you ever so much. The water company want to install a meter too but I’ve put them off. I’m having a look at ‘compare the market’ as we speak! Cheers!

[slainte caragh]

Re: Do I have to have a new electricity meter?

I can help on the water meter front too!

How many of you are in the property and if you don't mind saying, what is your yearly average bill?

[ostell]

Re: Do I have to have a new electricity meter?

Yes, both gas and electric meters are changed if they have been in use for a long time.

[slainte caragh]

Re: Do I have to have a new electricity meter?

Normal time scales 15-20 years for Electric,
10-15 for gas.

When I asked why there was such a big difference, i was told Gas goes BANG