Smart Meter - Why connect to wifi? When will gas show on it?

NeilF · 21 Sep 2022 at 14:33

So had a smart meter fitted this week with Shell.

Two questions:-
1) I notice there's an option in the display's settings to connect to your wifi network. Why would you want to do that?
2) At the moment, the display is only showing electricity. Will gas pop up on later?

Btw - The display looks like the one in this article - https://bulb.co.uk/blog/smart-meter-in-home-display

Werewolf · 21 Sep 2022 at 18:06

I'm going to guess the connection to your wifi network might be for one of two things, either to allow your smart meter to still do automatic readings even if you're in a dead spot for it's normal mobile phone based transceiver, or to allow you to get the readings on your mobile devices from some form of built in web page (so you get the IHD information* in your browser when at home). It may even be something that is there but not enabled with the current software version on the IHD, either futureproofing or because the IHD hardware and basic software is used by different companies but only some of them enable it (in the same way a lot of things like VM STB's and cable modems are based on a default model, but depending on if it's VM or a US/other ISP you get different firmware and features).

If you've got a gas smart meter that is compatible/from the same supplier it should show up on the IHD, if it's not showing and the same supplier I'm guessing there may be an issue with the link between the IHD and meter.
Our IHD has shown both gas and electricity from day 1, but we are with BG and had both meters changed at the same time so it was paired with both from the start, I suspect things get more complicated if the gas/electricity meters or supply have ever been from different companies.

*The IHD information is updated something like every few seconds, at best the suppliers sites do half hourly readings.

NeilF · 21 Sep 2022 at 18:20

Werewolf said:
I'm going to guess the connection to your wifi network might be for one of two things, either to allow your smart meter to still do automatic readings even if you're in a dead spot for it's normal mobile phone based transceiver, or to allow you to get the readings on your mobile devices from some form of built in web page (so you get the IHD information* in your browser when at home). It may even be something that is there but not enabled with the current software version on the IHD, either futureproofing or because the IHD hardware and basic software is used by different companies but only some of them enable it (in the same way a lot of things like VM STB's and cable modems are based on a default model, but depending on if it's VM or a US/other ISP you get different firmware and features).

If you've got a gas smart meter that is compatible/from the same supplier it should show up on the IHD, if it's not showing and the same supplier I'm guessing there may be an issue with the link between the IHD and meter.
Our IHD has shown both gas and electricity from day 1, but we are with BG and had both meters changed at the same time so it was paired with both from the start, I suspect things get more complicated if the gas/electricity meters or supply have ever been from different companies.

*The IHD information is updated something like every few seconds, at best the suppliers sites do half hourly readings.

I'm wondering if the wifi connectivity is for future tech like it controlling other devices, like tumble driers or EV chargers, so as to use electricity at cheaper times?

I'll raise a support call with Shell why gas is not showing on the display. Both the electric and gas meters were replaced this week specifically for the smart meter functionality.

Beta · 22 Sep 2022 at 08:14

Good luck, you may need it. I had mine installed by Shell (SMS) in June and the gas has never worked. I've had them back out twice now to recommission and they are coming for a 3rd time next week to replace the gas meter. Every time it doesn't work, they have made me wait 28 days in case it miraculously connects itself.

Hope you have better luck than me!

robj20 · 22 Sep 2022 at 08:19

Beta said:
Good luck, you may need it. I had mine installed by Shell (SMS) in June and the gas has never worked. I've had them back out twice now to recommission and they are coming for a 3rd time next week to replace the gas meter. Every time it doesn't work, they have made me wait 28 days in case it miraculously connects itself.

Hope you have better luck than me!

Had similar with Octopus over the last year in total they'd come out and changed the meter 6 times.
What fixed it in the end was during a more expensive meter with better range, and they changed the process so the gas meter was registered first rather than the electric. It all showed up working within 6 hours.

NeilF · 22 Sep 2022 at 09:47

robj20 said:
Had similar with Octopus over the last year in total they'd come out and changed the meter 6 times.
What fixed it in the end was during a more expensive meter with better range, and they changed the process so the gas meter was registered first rather than the electric. It all showed up working within 6 hours.

Beta said:
Good luck, you may need it. I had mine installed by Shell (SMS) in June and the gas has never worked. I've had them back out twice now to recommission and they are coming for a 3rd time next week to replace the gas meter. Every time it doesn't work, they have made me wait 28 days in case it miraculously connects itself.

Hope you have better luck than me!

Oh dear!

Well the display was initially plugged in just a dozen feet or so from the meters (for the first 24hrs or so). Now it's a couple of rooms away where it's reading 2 out of 4 bars for reception.

Electric showing fine, still no gas.

Will have to see what Shell say...

EDIT: What's interesting is the Android App mirrors this, where I can see hourly usage for electricty (eg: yesterday), but nothing for gas.

QUESTION: So when it works you should get basically not only months/daily gas usage, but even "Usage now" like electricity?

Kol · 22 Sep 2022 at 10:45

I've got the opposite, had mine installed last Wednesday, I'm getting the gas reading on the IHD but not the electric. I've not heard back from Shell, but it's peculiar, as the gas meter communicates with the electricity meter which then provides the readings to Shell just fine.

Beta · 22 Sep 2022 at 13:19

NeilF said:
QUESTION: So when it works you should get basically not only months/daily gas usage, but even "Usage now" like electricity?

If you set it the gas to 30 min reads instead of daily then yes, you will see that in the app. You won't get more than that as the meter doesn't constantly send readings to save the battery (from what I understand)

NeilF · 22 Sep 2022 at 13:29

LOL! And now the display is rebooting every couple of minutes showing failure to connect?

It boots up, showing no readings and with the connection strength bars flashing... And then after a few minutes reboots...

Even moved it to withing a couple of feet of the meters... Nope!

EDIT: Now come back to life, with Gas on the display, but NOT on "Usage now" screen.

Kol · 29 Sep 2022 at 16:40

@NeilF I read that only electricity is supported on the 'usage now' on the IHD whereas gas you'll only get an update to the IHD every half an hour. I believe it's to ensure the battery in the gas meter doesn't die too early. When cycling through the options on the gas meter, battery life is currently reading just over 10 years. Obviously, the electric meter has its own power so can send 'live' readings, as it were.

Oddly, my gas meter has stopped sending readings to shell, all shows on the IHD and loop is showing the data which it gets from the DCC also, so no idea why shell aren't showing them.