Smart meters

[MPx]

Yes...I got that (RTS) explanation from Octopus about my economy 7 meter needing to be changed @Pete.  But I asked questions about what would really stop happening.  There will in fact be no impact on my economy seven metering.   I'm told that the switches were used in some installations to trigger when eg Hot Water or Heating or similar would come on, so once RTS is switched off those functions would cease.  In practice I've never heard of a domestic set up using RTS for controlling appliances - they've always been set using programmers/timers/thermostats - so there will actually be no change to function of my installation at all once RTS goes and I do not need to have a smart meter replacement.  Your set up may be different of course, but I just saw it as another misinformation attempt to get as many more smart meters installed as possible with no benefit to the individual - much along the lines as the "it will save you money" bollocks.

[pete]

Thought the rts switched the meters over

[910Esprit]

Definitely switches mine over with an audible click and the meter display changes  (not a smart meter).   If it was just done on the timer/programmer, everyone would cheat.... 

Edited July 16, 2023 by 910Esprit

[pete]

Same here

[MPx]

Well, as I said, I was told different after some questioning where the story kept changing (mainly about when exactly my off peak hours are - which is obvs not relevant here).  Here's an extract from their original email which appears to confirm what you say

Hi Mike,

 We need to exchange your meters with the latest smart meters. This is because your meters use the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS). The RTS switches your meters between peak and off-peak times and controls your heating and hot water. 

Then after a further exchange and in response to my direct question vis: It is not clear from your text if my dual rate metering (only) will continue to operate post March 2024 - can you confirm please?

In regards to your query about the dual rate as your meters are for export they will remain as economy 7 set up where you will have the on and off peak times throughout the day.

…and later

Thanks for getting back to me, your off peak hours will not be effected by the clocks going forward or back and will be charged accurately to your current time zone via the eco 7 timer situated in the meter.

…and then finally after another exchange after a different support person had spouted some obvious drivel

Hi Mike,

Thank you for your email and apologies for any confusion caused. I'll do my best to answer your questions.

1.     The off-peak hours for Economy 7 have not changed from midnight - 7:00. It is still the same as it was when you joined Octopus. I apologise for any confusion caused by my previous response.

2.     The off-peak hours for Economy 7 are set by the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) in your area. Octopus Energy does not have control over the off-peak hours.

3.     Your meter is updated automatically to reflect the off-peak hours set by the DNO. There is no need for anyone to come to your site to alter anything. The meter is programmed to switch between peak and off-peak rates at the appropriate times.

I hope this helps to clarify things for you. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to let me know.

 

So their story is that my metering will all still work post the RTS switch off – but any controls will not.  Of course I have absolutely no confidence that the support staff actually have any idea what will happen and I could have got them to admit electricity grows on trees if I’d argued that way.  But it will be interesting to see what happens.  If it does stop switching post March ’24 I’ll obviously have to get a new meter to continue with economy 7 which by law will have to be “smart”, but they may have produced one that works most of the time by then so I’ll continue to hold out as long as poss.

[910Esprit]

Presumably a smart meter wont need the RTS switch as the Supplier can see the usage in real time via 'the internet' and bill accordingly for the appropriate tariff.    

Edited July 17, 2023 by 910Esprit

[pete]

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6389691/economy-7-and-ending-of-rts-radio-teleswitch-service-in-march-2023#latest

[MPx]

Thanks @pete that last post from Gerry1 is exactly what I'd hoped from the exchanges I had.

[910Esprit]

Well you learn something new everyday - The good news is that mine is just a dumb meter with an internal clock for E7 - happy days 

[pete]

Stayed in all day and they didn't turn up. 

[Chillidoggy]

Friends of ours have been trying to get their smart meter to work for over 9 months now. Numerous phone calls, but nothing changes, it still doesn't work as it should, doesn't provide any reading to the supplier.

They're losing the will.

[pete]

So for the 8th time today they actually came to fit a smart meter,after numerous calls confirming they needed to send someone small lo and behold they sent one of the previous operatives a rather large gentleman . However he said he would try,that didn't last long unfortunately as being probably the fifth person to actually look in the cupboard he declared he had the wrong smart meter as my earth leakage is on the 'wrong side' of the mains and the meter he had would trip it. After numerous phone calls a special meter has been ordered which needs a specialist to fit it. The fitter I had said he had never seen this in the 8 years he has been doing and is outside his remit . All this after the previous ones who dug up my path therby ruining it by cutting through the middle of the slabs instead of a long a joint . All of them are supposed to be specialist in their field . I despair