Smart Meters

[goodgoalie]

I've just had an email from my energy provider (Npower) saying they are intending to fit smart meters on my property. I really don't want or need them - I always give quarterly readings, so never pay estimated bills - so am I able to refuse to have them fitted?

[murraymints]

Yes..not obligatory..I have refused Scottish power access to do so..

[New Judge]

Yes.

There is no compulsion to have one fitted. At some point, though, the supplier will insist on changing your meter because it is old (and thus possibly inaccurate or dangerous). Then they will only fit a Smart meter. The downside to that (certainly at present) is that the meters are not universal and may not provide remote information to a new supplier should you change.

[Helewel]

I'd say no

[New Judge]

Do you mean goodgoalie has no grounds to refuse a Smart meter, Helewel? Or do you mean you'd say "no" to one yourself?

[goodgoalie]

Thanks for your replies. From what I've been able to glean online, it seems that I can legally refuse them, but at some point in the future the cheapest tariffs will only be available to those with a smart meter fitted. Ach, they get you in the end....

[New Judge]

There will almost certainly be a legal challenge if the suppliers try to restrict the best deals to those with Smart Meters. If they do change your meter compulsorily on the grounds of its age you can insist that the "Smart" features are disabled. More info here:

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/do-i-have-to-accept-a-smart-meter

[goodgoalie]

I'll certainly put up a good fight about this. I've defeated them before about a tariff they offered me in writing, then said it was no longer available when I rang to accept. It went on for quite a while, but they gave in when they realised I wouldn't give up, and even took £50 off the next bill. I'm already rolling up my sleeves!

[Old_Geezer]

My experience is that they phrase it to imply they have to. "Has to provide them as goverment orders...". Ambiguous because they using "provide" in place of "offer" clearly hoping folk interpret it as "install". And telling folk when they are turning up even though you've not agreed to anything.

[donchano]

I had the same battle with nPower. They kept texting me to say they were coming on such-and-such a date, without even having the courtesy to check with me first if it was convenient. I just kept refusing the appointments. They even paid a £30 credit to my account on one occasion for a 'missed appointment' when it was I who had declined it! Eventually they gave up trying.

[Maydup]

I have recently had similar compulsory installation of smart meter from EON, and it was linked to the best tariff. Basically if I didnt agree a date by a certain date, the prices would almost double on that date.

We agreed a date but once on site the signal wasnt strong enough. We remian on our current tariff for now but I will need to keep a careful eye on the payments.

[fender62]

i was getting phone calls from my provider, saying the same thing about installing a meter, i just hung up and blacklisted their number.
they can bog off........blubbbb