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Charge for changing an existing meter and not a smart meter?

Emmanuel Yohannes

Hi all,

I need advice for a possible meter change.... just a backstory so far, I've had a consumer unit change for my property from my old DB to ( FuseBox F2014MX 14 Way RCBO Consumer Unit + Surge Protection) and my Electrician has recommended that I get a 100amp rated main fuse (the existing one was 60amps). So I called the DNO and requested the fuse upgrade, but their reply was that I needed to change the electricity meter to 100amps as well, as well as change the meter tails to 25mm. I thought okay... so I get on the phone to my energy supplier and ask for the meter upgrade as well as tails. I opted to not get a smart meter, as I have heard about their unreliability, I just wanted a conventional meter with 100amps. The guy on the other end tells me its going to cost £140 to keep the old-style meter with 100amps but will be free with the smart meter. Is this correct, do I have to pay to upgrade my meter with the old design vs not paying for a 100amp smart meter, I don't understand why one is free and the other isn't. Someone please enlighten me....

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  • 0

    It should not need explaining.

    Upgrading to a Smart Meter is Part of a rolling programme and eventually you will end up having one, installing a replacement dumb meter is unnecessary work as far as your supplier is concerned.

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  • 0

    It should not need explaining.

    Upgrading to a Smart Meter is Part of a rolling programme and eventually you will end up having one, installing a replacement dumb meter is unnecessary work as far as your supplier is concerned.

Children
  • 0 in reply to Sparkingchip

    I'm sticking with my 'dumb' meter - I'm already penalized for not paying by direct debit and insisting upon a quarterly paper bill.

    If they are charging me for a service, then I insist upon getting what I pay for. Smart or dumb, there's no cost advantage to the consumer either way other than the supplier not knowing when you consumed your units if you have a dumb meter and cannot therefore be charged a premium rate for usage at a certain time of day. Once you have a smart meter you will lose complete control since there is no competition and nothing to really stop them automatically switching you to a premium rate as and when they please.

  • 0 in reply to whjohnson
    whjohnson said:
    I'm already penalized for not paying by direct debit and insisting upon a quarterly paper bill.

    That appeared to be the case when I was changed to British Gas, but I spoke to them and they told me that it made no difference; nor would it make any difference if they fitted a smart meter. The reason quite simply is that the capped rate is the capped rate. No discount on my tariff for online/direct debit.

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