Electric/Gas Meter Replacement

tntcoder · 4 Apr 2019 at 10:11

Hi,

Just moved in somewhere that has electric/gas meters from the 90s, gas is still measuring in cubic feet. The survey said there was a good chance these are less accurate than modern equivalents, not sure how true this actually is?

Question is, will any supplier replace these free of charge without commiting to a contract? I haven't yet called the supplier the previous owner was with, but was planning on going on their variable rate and then switching asap to someone like Bulb.

Should I request the meter replacement before changing to a smaller/cheaper supplier or will anyone do them? Preferably replacing to a non-smart meter?

Thanks

Deleted member 77746 · 4 Apr 2019 at 10:41

Move over to something like a smart meter and they will have to replace them but you will probably be tied in.

BigBoy · 4 Apr 2019 at 11:46

Wait until you switch supplier, no point doing it before that. 99% of suppliers won't charge to change to a smart meter (although some do).

bloodiedathame · 4 Apr 2019 at 12:08

More accuracy could mean increased bills. I'd keep em.

bimbleuk · 4 Apr 2019 at 12:36

Bulb will do it for free but check first as it may be months before they will get round to installing yours as there is a waiting list. You may be lucky in your area and get it done quicker.

I wanted an Economy 7 meter in the mean time but they said they don't have any and to go to another supplier that has some. Not sure what's going on with the utilities these days!

BigBoy · 4 Apr 2019 at 13:13

bimbleuk said:
I wanted an Economy 7 meter in the mean time but they said they don't have any and to go to another supplier that has some. Not sure what's going on with the utilities these days!

This is because they don't want the out lay for the extra parts that are needed to make Smets2 work as E7, basically they don't want to spend an extra £100 on a contactor some cable and an extra 30mins of an engineer's time to install it!

bimbleuk · 4 Apr 2019 at 14:00

BigBoy said:
This is because they don't want the out lay for the extra parts that are needed to make Smets2 work as E7, basically they don't want to spend an extra £100 on a contactor some cable and an extra 30mins of an engineer's time to install it!

They do charge £120 for it unlike the SMETS meters but it's just odd or they are cost cutting everything to gain market share are giving out generous referrals and paying exit fees.

£15 · 6 Apr 2019 at 16:00

bloodiedathame said:
More accuracy could mean increased bills. I'd keep em.

I was going to say this. Just as likely they're inaccurate in your favour. When I worked for BG they'd charge to test meters and only cover the cost if a fault was found. Not worth worrying about unless you notice a significant increase in bills that can't be explained by other, more likely, factors, tbh.

jsmoke · 6 Apr 2019 at 16:02

All smart meteres these days, phone your supplier and ask for one.

a1ex2001 · 6 Apr 2019 at 20:02

Just leave what is there in place they won’t be significantly inaccurate And a smart meter will increase your bill ever so slightly as you pay for the juice to run it!

andicole0 · 6 Apr 2019 at 20:17

bloodiedathame said:
More accuracy could mean increased bills. I'd keep em.

Could just as easily mean lower bills lol.
Andi.

BigBoy · 6 Apr 2019 at 20:24

The chance of your meter being high or low reading is very unlikely, even very old meters (I took an electric meter off that's been installed since 1961 this week) have been proven to be accurate. The old mechanical type oddly don't go wrong very often!

flea.rider · 6 Apr 2019 at 22:15

I prepay .. just what I do .. I know what I use every week week in week out ..
it went faulty when trying to put money on .. phoned them 3 hrs later replaced ..
just ask them to do it .. but don't go smart .. just a normal meter .. and they will

tntcoder · 6 Apr 2019 at 22:39

Thanks guys! I'll keep it for a few months and see what the bills look like before doing anything.