Changing E7 meter but NOT to a smart meter

  • retrotecchie's Avatar
    Level 92
    @Jimbob

    Well, I suggest you have that conversation with Customer Services.
    Don't shoot me, I'm only the piano player. I DON'T work for or on behalf of EON.Next, but am willing to try and help if I can. Not on mains gas, mobile network or mains drainage. House heated almost entirely by baby dragons.
  • meldrewreborn's Avatar
    Level 91
    Its an interesting conundrum that I'd not heard of before. Only licenced trades can deal with asbestos and they will not usually be meter installers. So in reality you will need to book two groups of people at the same time. The meter backboard will need replacing with whatever material they fit nowadays - mine is 1" wood - but the house is 90 years old (Happy Birthday!) . That exchange will be at your expense.

    The meter replacement can then go ahead. Its very unlikely that you'll be a able to have a traditional meter installed, as meters are not refurbished any longer- just scrapped - so a smart meter will inevitably be installed. However you are able to insist that the smart technology is disabled so it will work for you as a traditional meter, but any future occupier will be able to have the smart stuff reinstated.

    And of course it would be as well to get a second opinion that the current backboard is actually asbestos.

    @retrotechie is very knowledgeable and his advice is sound. Each installer is likely to be a self employed contractor, with different skills and attitudes to these matters. Yours will not be the first time this issue has cropped up (for them) and they will most likely have a protocol for it. Customer services is your first stop.
    Current Eon Next customer, ex EDF, Zog and Symbio. Don't think dual fuel saves money and don't like smart meters. Chronologically Gifted. If I offend let me know by private message, but I’ll continue to express my opinions nonetheless.
  • retrotecchie's Avatar
    Level 92
    @meldrewreborn

    There is a high likelihood that the backboard may also support the DNO's disconnect and fuse so they too may need to be brought into the conversation. The few installations I have encountered old enough to have asbestos would also likely have other issues that need rectifying before a meter can be swapped. The most common being an outdated and obsolete fused neutral. In the majority of cases, meter engineers will not even countenance any works until the DNO has rectified any problems first.

    Advice on asbestos backboards and a number to call can be found here, @Jimbob

    https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/electricity/replace-meter-board

    You can also arrange a free visit online to come out and inspect the backboard and then determine exactly what work needs to be carried out.

    If your area is not served by UKPowerNetworks, then other DNOs have equivalent services.
    Last edited by retrotecchie; 21-06-23 at 15:13.
  • theunknowntech's Avatar
    Level 80
    Just a heads up. The ability to install and operate Smart Meters in "Dumb Mode" no longer exists. SMETS2 never supported it and the ability to switch to "Dumb Mode" has been removed from SMETS1 as part of the DCC Migration. It caused too much trouble when folks moved out and it was impossible to re-enable Smart functionality for the new customer who wanted it turned back on as it was impossible.

    The only way it'll run without Smart features is if there's no signal, which is very unlikely.

    If you want Economy 7 features to work, then I'm afraid you will need a Smart Meter that has working comms.
    Just another guy passing by... The unknown tech way...
    Pete is an IHD Tariff Update Robot! 🤖 Anasa is a Giant Enemy Robot Spider 🕷 🤖 Hannah is neither! Need Customer service? click here! Replacement IHD Guide? Here it is!
  • theunknowntech's Avatar
    Level 80
    Also, I must strongly recommend against any attempt to interfere with the meter and it's Smart functionality whatsoever no matter how tempted you may be. I know of maybe a thousand different ways it could be done, but all of them are extremely dangerous and could give you a nasty electric shock that could kill you. Do not risk it.

    For what I hope are extremely obvious reasons, I will not discuss what those methods are.
  • DebF_EONNext's Avatar
    Community Team
    Hey @Jimbob welcome to the Community, can I ask is there a specific reason why you don't want to have smart installed?
    "Green is the prime colour of the world and that from which it's loveliness arises"-Pedro Calderon De La Barca 🌳

    E.ON Next Poll - How much do you know about the Priority Service Register? - If you have a spare 2 minutes 🕑 we'd love if you complete our poll about the Priority Service Register 🤗