Thanks! Bear with us for a bit while ​@Lukepeniket_OVO catches up with this and a few other things.

Can a smart meter get installed? 

Reason for this is it would give a final actual reading for that meter, would eliminate any estimates generated by the billing system and the in home display will show you what your consumption is?

I'd also look to raise a complaint with your supplier as this gives them and you a time frame to get it sorted (if they can't sort it goes to deadlock and at this point ofgem can be contacted).

Well, technically speaking that old relic was a Smart Meter… Just a shame that it was back when British Gas really did do a Wild West approach…

Would it be eligible for SMEX on the same rules that a dead S1 can be MEX’d out for S2? I’d certainly argue that it should be!

I have had it suggested about a smart meter but with the bills coming in like they were I just said I don't want it touching because I didn't know if they'd fob me off and sorry sorry you've to pay this , if that makes sense I.

So if I get a smart meter put in that will show my true readings and the outcome of the bil is exactly what i owe .

I just no hand on heart I'm living like a homeless person in my own home it was 12°c in here the other night and I'm disabled with a daughter I'm toi scared to put anything on so extra blankets it it .

I'm hoping the electrician calls today so then I know what's what and can proceed having a new meter fitted.

My shower has been connected and a cable runs up the inside wall so I believe to the red shower switch I know I can't have more than an 8 kW shower , that I do remember been told .

And thank you I appreciate the help 

Absolutely, if it hasn't enrolled correctly it'll mean estimated reads which could contribute.

I would insist on a smart exchange so the readings can get finalised and climate the estimated reads altogether. With the new meter and IHD we can focus on finding what the usage is. 

Biggest contributor to a jump in usage unexpectedly from experience is an immersion switch has been turned on accidently.

Thx Luke!

​@Tazzyy74 the latest SMETS2 Smart Meters are 1,000% more reliable than that piece of junk one you’ve currently got. Luke has fitted tons of them and what he doesn’t know about them isn’t worth knowing.

Doing the upgrade will result in accurate readings being submitted from the date that the new meter is installed but it can take a few weeks to fully establish itself, six weeks is the industry average.

The Forum Moderators have been informed about everything you’ve said as you’ve said multiple things that are quite concerning with regards to your welfare. As you’re on Octopus rather than OVO it might be more difficult for them to assist, but I can still ask the question anyway.

The Fire Service that I volunteer with also has Winter Warmer packs that you can get - these help a ton (I’ve tested them!) and I think others have them too. Reach out to their Prevention team and you can arrange a home visit - they may be able to bring one of those packs along too. If you can tell me which county you’re in, I’ll locate the right contact details for you.

It could also be worth uploading some statements from the past year with any personal details omitted so we can have a look through these?

It's the estimated bills I've been charged with that are worrying me how can my reading come back at 56.00 but their estimated comes back at ridiculous prices from 200 to 400 when I've nothing that a normal house has running .

Why does the meter keep going solid red ?  I know it flashes  when the kettles on etc but a few times a day it's solid red.

I think the sooner I get an electrician out the better then I can proceed from their .

The meter I've sent in keeps showing a debt on it which is almost £1000 and that's been going up since I've been in here but the meter isn't connected so they've said , they even said it wasn't a smart metre,.

I just feel like their ignoring the main problem as to why I'm been billed like iam because its 100% not me using that amount of electric and their reply was do you want an electric blanket or the samaritans.... I'm disgusted. 

Solid red? On the same LED that usually flashes? Now that’s interesting…

That suggests a critical meter fault. Could you do that Creep Test for us? Make sure to kill ALL the power otherwise it corrupts the test.

You have a meter that was once a Smart Meter, but it ran on very old systems that no longer exist - it won’t ever work as a Smart Meter again.

Even the gas I don't have gas in my house bar my gas hob my gas bill has just come back estimated at 7.12p and I barely use my hob .