the_bloke   17 #121 Posted October 19, 2020 On 17/10/2020 at 23:16, BigPP said: Suppliers cannot cut off your supply. It's the law. They can, unless the person falls into a number of groups, such as them being vulnerable.  As far as I know, the only supply that can't be disconnected is the water. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
the_bloke   17 #122 Posted October 19, 2020 8 hours ago, RiffRaff said: Gas 'smart meters' can shut off without warning because they depend on battery power, as opposed to their electric equivalents which run off the national grid. When/if a battery fails, the supply can be automatically turned off. An engineer is needed to replace the battery unit before the gas is reconnected. Try that on Christmas Day without upset! 😉  Meters are designed to automatically inform the supplier when a battery is nearing the end of life so they can arrange for it to be replaced before it dies completely. Apparently they beep when the battery is failing too.  https://www.npower.com/faq/129   Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
BigPP   90 #123 Posted October 19, 2020 4 hours ago, the_bloke said: They can, unless the person falls into a number of groups, such as them being vulnerable.  As far as I know, the only supply that can't be disconnected is the water. You're correct the_bloke and apologies for my mistake.  This is from https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/problems-with-your-energy-supply/if-youve-been-told-your-energy-supply-will-be-disconnected/  If you have a smart energy meter in your home, your supplier could potentially disconnect your supply remotely without needing to access to your meter. However, before they do this, they must have: contacted you to discuss options for repaying your debt, eg through a repayment plan visited your home to assess your personal situation and whether this would affect you being disconnected, eg if you’re disabled or elderly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
truman   10 #124 Posted October 22, 2020 How long before suppliers use smart meters to micromanage pricing..charging you more when demand is high through the day.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
ivan edake   13 #125 Posted October 24, 2020 On 18/10/2020 at 09:17, El Cid said: In winter, when people need hot water, leaving families with children and old people without hot water. I bet he gave you a large bill and you believed everything he had done Yes I did believe everything he had done and it didn't cost me a penny for the repair. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
pattricia   561 #126 Posted January 22, 2021 I have gas and electric smart meters , and receive a quarterly bill through the post for them both.  Are they automatically read by British Gas ( as I’m under British Gas for them both) ? Or do I have to read them myself and pass the readings on ? I have left them for British Gas to read automatically but have often wondered about this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Ghozer   112 #127 Posted January 22, 2021 If you have smart meter, the point is it can report back to your supplier, so no need for readings again.. I believe you can still submit them if you wish, but it shouldn't be needed anymore! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Crissie   18 #128 Posted January 22, 2021 The meters automatically transmit their readings, so you don't need to do it, although it doesn't hurt to keep a note of them for your own records. Once in a while a real meter reader comes to the house to verify the readings.  Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
pattricia   561 #129 Posted January 22, 2021 Thank you both for your replies. It’s put my mind at rest.! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Fiat500   17 #130 Posted January 22, 2021 We had EDF smart meters fitted August 2019 (after having price increase threats) and still haven't got an 'in house' display. They say they couldn't commission the meters because of signal issues at the commissioning centre. Complained last year and still in same situation. We have to send in meter readings every six months as the meters have no way of sending them. After complaining again, after reading this thread, and after a threat of calling OFGEM, they are going to try and sort it out. Let's see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
pintor   32 #131 Posted January 22, 2021 5 hours ago, pattricia said: Thank you both for your replies. It’s put my mind at rest.! I moved house to one with meters for gas,electric and water, British gas send you @mails asking you to submit your meter readings within 14 days when the bill is due, you just go to your meter and press 9, that gives you the reading and you can then submit it online at British gas. I missed the first reading and had a estimated bill for £550, I read the meter and it was £304, make sure you're not paying too much with estimated bills, check on your statement Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
catmiss   12 #132 Posted January 23, 2021 I had smart meters with in home display with Shell energy but changed supplier to EON last spring. Despite constant reassurance that technology would be used to adapt them for use by EON I’m still waiting and have to submit readings monthly or risk my monthly direct debit falling short when the companies yearly read is done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...