I have/had a smets1 from OVO which (recently - last October) they upgraded to smets2 over the air (without letting me know). As a result I was about 2 months with no ability to read my daily electric consumption even though gas was there. After much interaction with OVO, it finally got fixed. The "upgrade" provided three channels and confused which tariff belonged on which channel. (I'm on economy 7). I have ev, home battery and solar panels - so my usage kind of confused them... Apart from badgering them a lot, there is not a lot of other options.
Upgrading a SMETS1 meter to SMETS2
My electricity meter is SMETS1. British Gas came in the other day to install me a smart meter for the gas. However, they told me they need the electricity meter to be SMETS2 to be able to link it properly (or something like that he said). He thought that if I called EON (my supplier) they would upgrade it free. However when I called EON they flatly refused to do anything, even if I was willing to pay. Can I do anything ?
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My advice would be to move to a new supplier that didn't install the initial meter. I was on BG initially who installed the smets1. Then went to Npower and then back to BG. They managed to re-link the smets1 meter as they installed it initially.
Due to thier horrendous customer service, I wanted to move so went with octopus. They changed both meters within about a month (last month). I'm now on octopus go, and hopefully making some savings with overnight charging and running the appliances (washer, dryer, dishwasher).
Due to thier horrendous customer service, I wanted to move so went with octopus. They changed both meters within about a month (last month). I'm now on octopus go, and hopefully making some savings with overnight charging and running the appliances (washer, dryer, dishwasher).
SMETS1 meters had to be installed in sets, so all the same manufacturer and a matching comms hub.
I had a set from BG, but then switched electric to Octopus a while ago - they fitted a new SMETS1 electric and the BG Gas stopped working. Eventually I switched gas to Octopus and they fitted a matching Smets1 gas which worked.
Smets2 is more integrated, and different suppliers can install different meters and they will all work together.
I wouldn't worry about having a dumb gas meter, I don't think there is any advantage in making it smart ( apart from not having to read it ).
edit - I don't think that SMETS1 can be upgraded to SMETS2 remotely, what happens is the SMETS1 is integrated with the DCC so that the meter readings can be passed on to your new supplier when you switch.
I had a set from BG, but then switched electric to Octopus a while ago - they fitted a new SMETS1 electric and the BG Gas stopped working. Eventually I switched gas to Octopus and they fitted a matching Smets1 gas which worked.
Smets2 is more integrated, and different suppliers can install different meters and they will all work together.
I wouldn't worry about having a dumb gas meter, I don't think there is any advantage in making it smart ( apart from not having to read it ).
edit - I don't think that SMETS1 can be upgraded to SMETS2 remotely, what happens is the SMETS1 is integrated with the DCC so that the meter readings can be passed on to your new supplier when you switch.
Smets1 can't be upgraded to smets2 directly.SMETS1 meters had to be installed in sets, so all the same manufacturer and a matching comms hub.
I had a set from BG, but then switched electric to Octopus a while ago - they fitted a new SMETS1 electric and the BG Gas stopped working. Eventually I switched gas to Octopus and they fitted a matching Smets1 gas which worked.
Smets2 is more integrated, and different suppliers can install different meters and they will all work together.
I wouldn't worry about having a dumb gas meter, I don't think there is any advantage in making it smart ( apart from not having to read it ).
edit - I don't think that SMETS1 can be upgraded to SMETS2 remotely, what happens is the SMETS1 is integrated with the DCC so that the meter readings can be passed on to your new supplier when you switch.
I believe the smets 1 only report back directly to the original supplier though and some can be swapped so they report directly to DCC so any supplier can then gain access to the information. They tried with mine but couldn't migrate it so they came and swapped them out entirely.
I had/have this issue. I couldn’t find any way to get my supplier to upgrade my smets1, even at my own cost! It’s meant I can’t use any time of use tariffs.
I spoke to Octopus and they said they would, so I’m waiting for a transfer to go through and then I’ll try again.
I spoke to Octopus and they said they would, so I’m waiting for a transfer to go through and then I’ll try again.
The suppliers have a target to install smart meters, upgrading a smets1 to 2 does not meet their target so are reluctant to do so.I had/have this issue. I couldn’t find any way to get my supplier to upgrade my smets1, even at my own cost! It’s meant I can’t use any time of use tariffs.
I spoke to Octopus and they said they would, so I’m waiting for a transfer to go through and then I’ll try again.
Octopus have replaced smets1 with smets1 for me in the past to get me on go.
@Mtcm when you switch to Octopus you might consider electric tracker whilst you wait for smart. Does not need a smart meter and might be cheaper.
Ovo upgraded my smets1 to smets2 over the air.Smets1 can't be upgraded to smets2 directly.
I believe the smets 1 only report back directly to the original supplier though and some can be swapped so they report directly to DCC so any supplier can then gain access to the information. They tried with mine but couldn't migrate it so they came and swapped them out entirely.
I have just spoken to EON, asking to upgrade my smets1 to smets2 as I am having solar panels installed. They said they couldn't directly swap a smets1 to smets2 and would have to first replace the smets1 with a "non-smart" meter at a cost of £230 +, and only then be able to install a smets2 meter at no cost. Is ther some technical reason behind this or is it just a way for EON to recoup costs ?
DCC are not letting them upgrade from smarts1I have just spoken to EON, asking to upgrade my smets1 to smets2 as I am having solar panels installed. They said they couldn't directly swap a smets1 to smets2 and would have to first replace the smets1 with a "non-smart" meter at a cost of £230 +, and only then be able to install a smets2 meter at no cost. Is ther some technical reason behind this or is it just a way for EON to recoup costs ?
I assumed my elster AS300 that british gas installed was smets 1 but it seems to integrate fine with Octopus. Maybe one of a few in that group that can be supported?
Because of (assumed - not aware that they actually tested) lack of connectivity in my area, Octopus's contractors fitted me with a SMETS1 rather than a SMETS2 meter.
However, my meter has full functionality and I've been on a TOU tariff from a couple of days after it was fitted.
However, my meter has full functionality and I've been on a TOU tariff from a couple of days after it was fitted.
DCC say 'Almost all of the "dormant" [SMETS1] meters which the DCC can proactively identify and upgrade have been migrated to the network.,...If your meter hasn't been upgraded unfortunately we're unable to provide you with an exact date as to when this will happen.'
So they are not really being upgraded to SMETS2, they are just sending their data to the DCC instead of the electricity company that installed them.
They say they will continue to attempt to migrate non-communicating SMETS1 but 'If there is a problem with migrating your SMETS1 meters, your energy supplier will arrange for second-generation (SMETS2) meters to be installed.'
SMETS1 smart meters and how they're being upgraded | Smart DCC
So they are not really being upgraded to SMETS2, they are just sending their data to the DCC instead of the electricity company that installed them.
They say they will continue to attempt to migrate non-communicating SMETS1 but 'If there is a problem with migrating your SMETS1 meters, your energy supplier will arrange for second-generation (SMETS2) meters to be installed.'
SMETS1 smart meters and how they're being upgraded | Smart DCC
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