It's all Martin Lewis' fault! [grin]

Sorry if this is a diversion but why do people not want smart meters? They are a godsend.

No - you do not have to have a smart meter if you don't want one! Don't let them bully you into having one

I’ve got a smart meter so didn’t need to input my readings but advised my son to do his. I subscribe to Martin Lewis Money Expert emails and find it really useful in all sorts of ways. It’s a good job we’ve got such individuals otherwise big business and the government would do us over even more than they already do

I sent in a reading to Octopus with no problem at all.
Unfortunately it was only for gas, as my electricity meter hasn't been working since October.
First they said they would send a meter reader to look at it; after a couple of months and a query from me they said that I would have to have a new meter and they would let me know when someone was 'in the area'.
I emailed back and said I did not want a Smart Meter, but their reply was that it was company policy to install them.

Does anyone know if I have the right to refuse a Smart Meter and insist that I have the old style meter replaced??
I'm still waiting so it's been around 6 months now. I'm also worried about how they are going to estimate the electricity used over such a long period of time.

He talks to fast for me I can't understand him

Applegran

I'd be happy to vote, like the OP, for 'Martin Lewis for Prime Minister!'

Martin Lewis is far too honest and straightforward to be a politician. I think he should be given a job on the group that oversees fuel companies and maybe also involved with the financial ombudsman.

Chestnut

Octopus has a helpful message saying to read your meter Saturday as their prices go up from midnight Saturday! So now I have to go down to the cellar again. They say we have a week to submit them. I love ?Octopus ?

I love Octopus too. We were switched to them when our last company failed and they've been great - and have also installed the smart meter which I've been trying to get from our last provider for three years. They seem to be what I want, a company that tells me everything and gives me a fair price.
I organise the utilities for three different house and always used the MSE site. They must have been giving me the lowest priced fuel because 2 of the three companies went bust!

the usual stupid attitude of the government has made things worse. If they had insisted that there should be one type of smart meter, then changing companies would not cause problems, but no each one does not work properly with other companies. What a waste of time and money. They did not even learn from years ago with the two sorts of recorder. The same with the electric cars. If there was one type that all could use more people would consider it and it would be cheaper and easier to use. It takes very little effort to find the best of the bunch and then insisting that these are the ones used. Allowing all these different smart meters was both expensive and stupid and a waste of peoples time having to change them over!

Martin Lewis is someone who really cares about us ordinary folk. I have a lot of time for him and can recommend his Money Saving Expert website for all sorts of advice.

Martin Lewis should be knighted. If you don’t get his emails I really do recommend that you sign up for them. We’ve saved loads of money over the years thanks to him. (Money Saving Expert).

I'd be happy to vote, like the OP, for 'Martin Lewis for Prime Minister!'

One power company on the radio yesterday said they were receiving 40,000 calls an hour - usually 2000 a day. All the big companies are apparently accepting metre readings for 31/3 for a week to 10 days after and if you have a smart metre it will be read automatically.

I still can't log into my Brit Gas account, but the Meter Reading Form is now up and running, so I have just submitted my reading and my account will be updated accordingly.

I presume those with smart meters weren't bothering because Martin Lewis said that only folk without a smart meter who needed to ring with a reading. ?

Yes i agree with Direne3- Martin Lewis for Prime minister! Or at the very least give him chancellors job! Please!

Don't panic if you can't get through, they all allow several days to submit your readings.

I have a fixed tariff until October 2023 with Octopus but today is monthly meter reading day - the website seems to be working fine.

“That’s another fine mess you’ve got us into Martyn!”

HowVeryDareYou

I'm doing nothing - we're on a fixed rate (the cheapest) until July, and Eon told me a month ago that the rate will stay the same until then. I've changed the DD set-up so that we're paying a bit more than we need to at the moment

You'll need to read it on the day you come off the fixed rate though HVDY

I tried British Gas at 4am, having failed yesterday. The direct adding of meter reading was still not available, but there was an option to enter my name, account number and reading on a message-like page. I assume it will be registered later.

Been trying all evening to get through to Bulb. Still not got through and as it's now after midnight, guess I won't now.

Fortunately, I used their website to send a message with my meter readings AND photographs of them. And took screenshots of the completed page and the 'Accepted' message that popped up, once it had gone through.

I just got through with Octopus too, although I'm wondering whether I should read it again on Saturday as they advised. As it's not going up until midnight Saturday. ?

Were with Octopus and Dh got through very quickly today.

Teacheranne

I hope that those on fixed tariffs did not send in meter readings, my sister did as she did not realise that her bill won’t increase until the end of her term, not even the standing charge. It’s only affecting those on the price cap variable rate. I don’t think that was made very clear in all the articles I read so I checked with Ofgen online.

I did wonder about that Teacheranne so thank you for saving me the job of finding out. We are fixed until the end of July when undoubtedly we will have a massive increase in our direct debit but at least we have four months at the current rate.

I'm doing nothing - we're on a fixed rate (the cheapest) until July, and Eon told me a month ago that the rate will stay the same until then. I've changed the DD set-up so that we're paying a bit more than we need to at the moment