Smart meters and switching energy providers
 

We've just come to the end of a fixed tariff with Eon and I've been looking at our options to switch tariff/provider. I'm finding that most options from the major players which would give me decent savings are insisting on installation of smart meters as a condition of signing up. DH is point blank refusing to have them!

Does anyone have any experience of dealing with Avro Energy or Green Network Energy? These seem to be the only 2 coming up in my searches who are not insisting on smart meters.

Have you tried the MSE Cheap Energy Club? I’ve been with them for a while and they may be a way of changing to a good tariff, without having to install a smart meter. They also give customer ratings.

The current meters aren’t compatible as smart meters across the industry, but according to MSE they should be available from 2020. If you did have a non compatible meter installed and then changed companies it would still be readable as a non smart meter.

This is a link to the MSE site.

https://help.cheapenergyclub.com/hc/...ect-switching-

I've been with Avro for 15 months now, no issues at all and the price is very competitive. They email me once a month to remind me to submit meter readings which means my bills are always up to date and no estimates.

Areas such as Merseyside have a collective tariff scheme. It might be worth googling your area or city and put collective energy.
This is the Liverpool Merseyside one
https://www.lcrenergyswitch.co.uk/
How it works is people sign up for it. There’s a cut off date a few times a year. The aim is to go to providers with large amounts of customers all signing up at the same time thus making it possible to gain really good tariffs from fixed to green etc. We have done this for a few years and have never been forced to have a meter. Once you switch the meters are useless anyway.

I have just switched to Green Network Energy from EDF after my deal with EDF came to an end [just over 6 weeks ago]. I went with GNE as they had a good fixed deal for 24 months.

Early days yet but when I phoned them to change my direct debit [I wanted them to take a bit extra] the agent that I spoke to on the phone was really polite and helpful and sorted it right away for me.

I’ve just signed up with Avro energy. They offered the cheapest tariff and the transition was very smooth.

We found that trying to move to the best deals now, part of the deal is you need a smart meter, something we never wanted, and I suspect they know, hence the best deals insist on a smart meter, so we looked for the best deal for us.

We moved to a deal with a new second generation smart meter, but ours included free boiler cover, plus plumbing, drainage and electricity cover.

Plus we made sure it was the second generation smart meter, so it moves to any new supplier.

We may never need the extra cover, but it’s there if we need it , plus we’ve saved on our new deal.

I was with Avro last year and no issues, they are a bit slow to respond to questions but nothing to worry about.

Switched to Igloo now as they were cheaper and they also seem fine, very efficient

I agree with your hubbie, I don’t want a smart meter as I see no use for them.
Igloo ask for a meter reading once per month and I monitor my own usage.

Been looking to change supplier, unfortunately as we're unable to supply meter readings for 6 months we may have to stay with E-On as we have their SMETS1. I'll research the meter reading issue.

We’ve just come to an end of a good deal with Avro. No complaints at all.