[Symon]

I'm an Eon customer, and I've got an EV. I wanted to switch tariffs to the Next Drive one, so that I can charge the car up cheaper overnight. I found out that I need to have a smart meter installed. I emailed Eon and got this response:-

"I have just checked on our system if you are eligible for a smart meter and unfortunately you aren't. This is because there is no wan coverage where you live, which is what sends the signal to us to allow your meter to communicate."

I did a bit of digging and from what I can tell, smart meters in my wider area use the O2 cellular network, and my house has 'good' indoor and outdoor coverage, according to O2. So, presumably that's the network for the 'wan' aka wide area network?

I live in Cornwall, so I'm in the southern area for smart meters. I think?!

Any comments on why I can't get a meter, and what do they mean by 'wan'.

Thanks for reading.

[Symon]

Chaps,

Latest update. After the telephone call to CS, they finally emailed me back after a week had passed.

EOn :- "to be on the EV tariff you need to have a smart meter and because of the signal where you live a smart meter wouldn't be able to communicate with us."

Me :- "Then how come my next door neighbour who also is a customer of yours has a smart meter that works fine. I've found that the smart meters use the Telefonica/O2 network, and my house has good coverage indoors and outdoors on that network."

EON :- "I have asked the smart team to review this and there is no way that a smart meter would function at your property unfortunately,"

Me:- "I've discovered that I have a legal right to a smart meter. Let me spell this out to you.

1) My next door neighbour has a smart meter. He is an Eon customer. We're in the same postcode.
2) I have 'good' indoor and outdoor O2 coverage.
3) My existing meter is over 25 years old and I want it replaced.

Even if there is a problem with reception, then you can fit an additional antenna.

* I also attached photos of the O2 coverage map for my postcode and a link to the BBC Panorama program that was on last Monday about smart meters. "It is a legal requirement, the government says, for suppliers to make sure smart meters are working and it expects suppliers to “resolve all issues at a much faster pace”.

"I want to speak to someone more senior."


EOn (Different person) :- "I have sent a refresh to our system to see if the coverage checker updates."

EOn today :- "I can now book in an appointment for you to get upgraded to a smart meter."

I have a feeling that the first email correspondent was a bot. The second person got it sorted out. I guess you have to keep on and on until they cave in. It took about 3 days from "no way" to "book an appointment".

I'll let you all know what happens next.

Cheers, Symon.

[meldrewreborn]

Check with your neighbours. If they have functioning smart meters then the company might be wrong.
if your meter is old you can insist that it’s updated - probably to the metering you want.

[Symon]

"Certified Feb 98" Is that old enough? Excellent suggestion about the neighbours, I'll check. I don't belieeeeve I didn't think of that myself, Victor. 😆

Thanks!

[meldrewreborn]

@Symon

15 years is a typical life so ask them to replace it!

[Symon]

Further update, after Mr. Meldrew's advice. Here's my neighbour's smart meter. He's about 100m away and is also an Eon customer.



Is that meter compatible with the Next drive tariff does anyone know?

Thanks.

[meldrewreborn]

@Symon

Beyond my competence on a number of factors, but importantly does that meter work properly?

[WizzyWigg]

Originally Posted by Symon

Further update, after Mr. Meldrew's advice. Here's my neighbour's smart meter. He's about 100m away and is also an Eon customer.



Is that meter compatible with the Next drive tariff does anyone know?

Thanks.

Afternoon @Symon Is your neighbour transmitting smart readings to Eon Next? The lights on the comms hub in the photo don't seem to be showing any life.

[Symon]

Thanks for the replies. I asked my neighbour, and he says that the meter works fine. It sends readings to Eon as expected. I'm starting to think that EOn have made a mistake in saying that I can't have a Next Drive compatible meter.

[WizzyWigg]

@Symon Sounds like another more in-depth chat with CS is in order. There may be a reason but as your neighbour is so close and smartly communicating it does seem a little strange why you can't have a smart meter fitted. Particularly as they are an Eon Next customer.
Please update the forum on how you get on.