I’m livid. Stressed. Raging. Outraged. Over three weeks ago, a British Gas engineer confirmed that the card reader in my PAYG gas meter was faulty. He noted that I did NOT want a ‘smart’ meter replacement - as is my right as a consumer - and said he would try to get a conventional meter fitted for me. I’ve heard nothing since and the credit is starting to run low. So I contacted British Gas again via their online ‘chat’. The first asshole I spoke to tried to sell me a ‘smart’ meter
I made a complaint to British Gas. I maintained that the charging policy for non smart meter replacements is not made publicly available and thus did not form part of the contract of supply. BG have responded. They say:
“Our policy is : Our Smart Energy Expert will upgrade your meter(s) to smart meter(s). If your preference is for a non-smart meter, we’ll try to fix your current meter. If this isn’t possible, we’ll replace it. An additional fee will be applied to your account/PAYGE meter Gas PP £179.
These information is on a website, please click on the like it will give you the document.
Should you not be happy with our policy please refer this matter to Ombudsman.
I wonder if it was written by an illiterate 20 year old or someone whose first language is not English. But apart from the appalling grammar I checked the document and it says nothing about a penalty charge of £179 being levied in the event a faulty meter needs to be replaced. What it does say is:
“14.
Our other reasonable charges (where applicable include VAT at the appropriate rate), which we’ll inform you of at the time include:
•
Visiting your property to repair, move, install or exchange a meter or display unit, or to disconnect or reconnect your supply. If we’re legally required to move a meter to a convenient position, we won’t charge you. Charges may also apply if:
•
we carry out work or move a meter that isn’t faulty
•
we didn’t provide you with the meter
•
the meter or display unit has been damaged or interfered with, in an attempt to steal gas or electricity
•
we can’t gain safe access due to an obstruction which isn’t then removed
•
you ask us to change to a different meter or to install a meter which is different to the type of meter we usually fit.”
So, they can impose a ‘reasonable charge’ for exchanging a meter. That’s clear. But what they are attempting to do IMO is impose a very UNREASONABLE charge for replacing THEIR faulty meter with a like for like conventional meter when they would impose no charge for replacing it with a smart meter, even though the latter replacement would involve the same amount of work and time. Non- smart meters are clearly available to BG and there is no indication that they cost more to purchase and fit. Clearly, the customer is simply being penalised for making a choice as regards the type of meter they wish to have fitted and this is not made clear in their supply contract. Whether it’s worth pursuing them on this I don’t know. Corruption is so institutionalised now, I doubt whether the Ombudsman will take my genuine complaint seriously. Other companies are apparently NOT imposing this charge though, so this is not blanket policy throughout the industry.
Not sure. I think my current meter is not connected to the mains but has a battery, but then I wonder how the battery is charged? It would be nice if you could just switch off these damned 'smart' meters, at least the wifi enabled part of them.
I wonder if a metal shield could be added around the meter.
Biscuit tin, or tin foil?
I've stopped needing it for hats, but it may be useful for blocking the wireless radiation.
I sincerely hope that every time "they" come out with some new method of control, such as qr codes, the resourceful person can find an easy way to bugger up their plans.
I remember a time when most politicians, especially Tories, espoused a mantra of choice. I haven't heard any of them mention it for some years now. Choice is dead in net zero world.
What's the real difference though? If you're already reliant on them for gas and care and feeding of that complex delivery infrastructure then they already own you..... no? The "smart meter" is likely just a radio frequency broadcast to a local regional receiver (probably at a telephone pole).
Here in rural USA there are no gas lines so folks here that want gas for heating/cooking have their own various sized propane tanks. Is that an option for you?
I have thought of propane, but then you're reliant upon supplies of that, which can be interrupted. Also, LPG is a lot more expensive than natural gas.
I have to admit that I never understood what benefit a 'smart' meter would have for a consumer. I can't see either how having one would help to reduce energy bills so no reduced CO2 to save us all from heat death.
I've read that later models of smart meters are able to charge more or less per unit of energy upon instruction from central control so maybe that's it. That would definitely be a benefit for someone although I'm guessing it wouldn't be the customer.
When the meter doesn't just measure volume or quantity, but also time, the energy provider can now charge based on "time of use". The only advantage to the consumer is more data, to be able to see charts and graphs, assuming they want to be more "efficient".
The utility company charges higher rates at peak hours, lower rates for off peak, thereby nudging users towards a more stable (for the provider) rate of consumption. In other words, rationing. In many areas the utilities offer a rebate, if one "gives" them the option of turning off their power for several hours during peak periods (hot summers, cold winters).
And ultimately it provides them with a remote control to get compliance to improve their ESG score. It is so much easier for some chair bound Vitamin D deficient to tap a mouse button remotely, than to have some outdoorsman actually drive a truck to your house and turn a wrench.
The whole thing sounds like a very bureaucratic, high tech (and hence expensive to implement and maintain) version of the 'off peak' or 'economy7' services we used to enjoy (without your power being arbitrarily turned off).
It's encouraging to hear that the British people aren't reacting well to the roll-out. Another 'initiative' that's not been thought through or honestly costed, I suppose.
It has been thought through in the sense of 'Our thoughts are that if we confuse the consumer with double-speak we can make more money out of them without them realising."
Except that some of us do and an increasing number.
It’s enough to drive you mad. I’ve been resisting calls to have a smart meter installed for years but I thought I’d had it when my electricity meter stopped working about 3 years ago. My supplier Green Energy Networks went bust shortly afterwards, probably because they offered a naively cheap tariff, and I ended up with EDF who to my surprise eventually supplied me with a bog standard replacement meter at no cost. No problems since then.
You've been Californicated, where although the government enforced manipulation systems are different, the results are quite similar. California mandated these metering systems (primarily for electricity, because green something, something or other, something, blah blah blah...) a decade ago. At first it was optional, then mandatory as in a "no smart meter?, no power" kind of way.
Grotesque authoritarianism and the complete antithesis of consumer free choice. Going off grid is starting to look more and more like a sensible option.
After attempting to blackmail me into accepting energy fascism, Blitish Gas have now hit me with a dose of eco-fascism. They've just sent me this email TELLING me that I've gone paper-free. Can you believe that? Not MY choice; THEIR choice. Screw them: I intend to change supplier ASAP.
"Hello Jaime,
With everything that’s going on in the energy market right now, we want to make sure you get the latest information as soon as possible. Email helps us to do that. So we’ve switched you to paper-free for your energy bills and communications.
Moving to paper-free means you’ll have all the information you need in one place, whenever you want it. As well as being more environmentally friendly."
"....and cheaper for us although we won't pass on any cost reductions to you, so there!"
What a load of Billy Suggers they are!
British Gas is an anagram of 'a GB shit sir'. Fair enough.
The problem with the energy market is that many suppliers are foreign owned. They do not care for the UK, especially the Germans. We spoiled their game by coming out of the EU.
I made a complaint to British Gas. I maintained that the charging policy for non smart meter replacements is not made publicly available and thus did not form part of the contract of supply. BG have responded. They say:
“Our policy is : Our Smart Energy Expert will upgrade your meter(s) to smart meter(s). If your preference is for a non-smart meter, we’ll try to fix your current meter. If this isn’t possible, we’ll replace it. An additional fee will be applied to your account/PAYGE meter Gas PP £179.
These information is on a website, please click on the like it will give you the document.
Should you not be happy with our policy please refer this matter to Ombudsman.
https://www.britishgas.co.uk/aem6/content/dam/britishgas/documents/tariffs/terms/Gas-and-Electricity-supply-terms.pdf.”
I wonder if it was written by an illiterate 20 year old or someone whose first language is not English. But apart from the appalling grammar I checked the document and it says nothing about a penalty charge of £179 being levied in the event a faulty meter needs to be replaced. What it does say is:
“14.
Our other reasonable charges (where applicable include VAT at the appropriate rate), which we’ll inform you of at the time include:
•
Visiting your property to repair, move, install or exchange a meter or display unit, or to disconnect or reconnect your supply. If we’re legally required to move a meter to a convenient position, we won’t charge you. Charges may also apply if:
•
we carry out work or move a meter that isn’t faulty
•
we didn’t provide you with the meter
•
the meter or display unit has been damaged or interfered with, in an attempt to steal gas or electricity
•
we can’t gain safe access due to an obstruction which isn’t then removed
•
you ask us to change to a different meter or to install a meter which is different to the type of meter we usually fit.”
So, they can impose a ‘reasonable charge’ for exchanging a meter. That’s clear. But what they are attempting to do IMO is impose a very UNREASONABLE charge for replacing THEIR faulty meter with a like for like conventional meter when they would impose no charge for replacing it with a smart meter, even though the latter replacement would involve the same amount of work and time. Non- smart meters are clearly available to BG and there is no indication that they cost more to purchase and fit. Clearly, the customer is simply being penalised for making a choice as regards the type of meter they wish to have fitted and this is not made clear in their supply contract. Whether it’s worth pursuing them on this I don’t know. Corruption is so institutionalised now, I doubt whether the Ombudsman will take my genuine complaint seriously. Other companies are apparently NOT imposing this charge though, so this is not blanket policy throughout the industry.
My father in law had a smart meter fitted for the electric.
It requires the "sender" to be plugged in to mains electricity, so it can communicate to his router.
The sender is just turned off at the plug, so it never works.
Maybe that is an option for the gas meter?
Not sure. I think my current meter is not connected to the mains but has a battery, but then I wonder how the battery is charged? It would be nice if you could just switch off these damned 'smart' meters, at least the wifi enabled part of them.
I wonder if a metal shield could be added around the meter.
Biscuit tin, or tin foil?
I've stopped needing it for hats, but it may be useful for blocking the wireless radiation.
I sincerely hope that every time "they" come out with some new method of control, such as qr codes, the resourceful person can find an easy way to bugger up their plans.
What a fiasco...
Given the parlous state of the "Smart" meter rollout, what chance of the 650,000 per year "heat pump" target?
Heat pumps another scam. I mention it here.
https://baldmichael.substack.com/p/in-the-news-the-daily-telegraph-thursday
The tyrants know no limits. At some point it all becomes their way or the highway. At that point you must choose the highway even if it means death.
Same thing in France with LINKY meters and electric..
Stand tough, Jaime.
Feck these little tyrants.
I remember a time when most politicians, especially Tories, espoused a mantra of choice. I haven't heard any of them mention it for some years now. Choice is dead in net zero world.
What's the real difference though? If you're already reliant on them for gas and care and feeding of that complex delivery infrastructure then they already own you..... no? The "smart meter" is likely just a radio frequency broadcast to a local regional receiver (probably at a telephone pole).
Here in rural USA there are no gas lines so folks here that want gas for heating/cooking have their own various sized propane tanks. Is that an option for you?
I have thought of propane, but then you're reliant upon supplies of that, which can be interrupted. Also, LPG is a lot more expensive than natural gas.
I have to admit that I never understood what benefit a 'smart' meter would have for a consumer. I can't see either how having one would help to reduce energy bills so no reduced CO2 to save us all from heat death.
I've read that later models of smart meters are able to charge more or less per unit of energy upon instruction from central control so maybe that's it. That would definitely be a benefit for someone although I'm guessing it wouldn't be the customer.
When the meter doesn't just measure volume or quantity, but also time, the energy provider can now charge based on "time of use". The only advantage to the consumer is more data, to be able to see charts and graphs, assuming they want to be more "efficient".
The utility company charges higher rates at peak hours, lower rates for off peak, thereby nudging users towards a more stable (for the provider) rate of consumption. In other words, rationing. In many areas the utilities offer a rebate, if one "gives" them the option of turning off their power for several hours during peak periods (hot summers, cold winters).
And ultimately it provides them with a remote control to get compliance to improve their ESG score. It is so much easier for some chair bound Vitamin D deficient to tap a mouse button remotely, than to have some outdoorsman actually drive a truck to your house and turn a wrench.
Thanks for that very clear exposition.
The whole thing sounds like a very bureaucratic, high tech (and hence expensive to implement and maintain) version of the 'off peak' or 'economy7' services we used to enjoy (without your power being arbitrarily turned off).
It's encouraging to hear that the British people aren't reacting well to the roll-out. Another 'initiative' that's not been thought through or honestly costed, I suppose.
It has been thought through in the sense of 'Our thoughts are that if we confuse the consumer with double-speak we can make more money out of them without them realising."
Except that some of us do and an increasing number.
It’s enough to drive you mad. I’ve been resisting calls to have a smart meter installed for years but I thought I’d had it when my electricity meter stopped working about 3 years ago. My supplier Green Energy Networks went bust shortly afterwards, probably because they offered a naively cheap tariff, and I ended up with EDF who to my surprise eventually supplied me with a bog standard replacement meter at no cost. No problems since then.
You've been Californicated, where although the government enforced manipulation systems are different, the results are quite similar. California mandated these metering systems (primarily for electricity, because green something, something or other, something, blah blah blah...) a decade ago. At first it was optional, then mandatory as in a "no smart meter?, no power" kind of way.
Grotesque authoritarianism and the complete antithesis of consumer free choice. Going off grid is starting to look more and more like a sensible option.
Good luck. Smart meters like smart phones appliances tekno compliance. You will get a smart meter and like it!!
Amazing how terrorist money globalists keep the pressure on to herd all of us into their techno dream.
Resist and continue your noble fight.
After attempting to blackmail me into accepting energy fascism, Blitish Gas have now hit me with a dose of eco-fascism. They've just sent me this email TELLING me that I've gone paper-free. Can you believe that? Not MY choice; THEIR choice. Screw them: I intend to change supplier ASAP.
"Hello Jaime,
With everything that’s going on in the energy market right now, we want to make sure you get the latest information as soon as possible. Email helps us to do that. So we’ve switched you to paper-free for your energy bills and communications.
Moving to paper-free means you’ll have all the information you need in one place, whenever you want it. As well as being more environmentally friendly."
"....and cheaper for us although we won't pass on any cost reductions to you, so there!"
What a load of Billy Suggers they are!
British Gas is an anagram of 'a GB shit sir'. Fair enough.
The problem with the energy market is that many suppliers are foreign owned. They do not care for the UK, especially the Germans. We spoiled their game by coming out of the EU.