Gas Smart meter failed battery failed and I'm off supply - How can I get an emergency appointment at the weekend?

This is very useful to know. I was thinking of installing smart meters because of the mails I am getting from OVO to get smart meters installed. From all the responses, it seems there’s hardly a party to accept ownership/accountability if something goes wrong like this with smart meters.

It’s not very often that they fail however. I wouldn’t worry too much.

And tbh, when your existing meter dies (which they all do eventually), your next one would be Smart anyway.

Thank you for sharing this. This is very useful to know. It sounds like Smart meters aren’t matured enough tech to rely on; especially when it comes to something as crucial as the energy supply. 

@knightbeat but how do you know it was the Smart functionality that failed? If the valve closed, the battery died or the Ultrasonic Sensor failed for example, that’s not Smart functionality - that’s normal gas meter functionality found in both Smart and Non-Smart.

Batteries die. that’s always been the case.

I saw that Octopus Energy has reinstalled an analogue meter after a customer complained about their existing smart meter. @Turratim  has mentioned that their supply was cut off due to a faulty smart meter and the OVO call centre is closed until Monday. If the smart meter tech is that unreliable in its current state, can Energy Suppliers say that someone’s next meter would be a Smart Meter anyway?

Downgrading is rarely allowed and will sooner or later become impossible. Stocks of Traditional meters are rapidly depleting and there won’t be more of them.

The tech is more reliable than you seem to think, but ultimately a prepayment gas meter WILL fail with valve closed whether it’s Smart or not. The user in this case didn’t specify their payment method.

The issue is, people have been using the existing meters without these unnecessary problems. 

Again, as those Traditional meters get older… They’ll suffer the same faults (and many already are). I need to see proof of your claims, otherwise they can be challenged.

https://smartme.co.uk has all the facts you’re after

I personally think it's cool to have smart meters installed and observe the usage being inside the house. My only concern is ownership and accountability when things go wrong. I am paying with DD; but someone who’s on pre-paid payment method should also have the right to continuous supply of energy when they make payments. If something goes wrong with the meters that cuts off the supply, they should be able to get it fixed immediately without having to wonder who’s responsible and whom to contact. Unlike a normal house appliance, a faulty meter cannot be fixed by DIY and it’s not even the property of the homeowner to do so. If smart meters have increased the probability of this, then there is a problem isn’t it?

I’m afraid you’re somewhat incorrect. The supplier does have the responsibility to restore supply. However, you still have a responsibility to pay for what you use.

A Prepayment Meter whether Smart or Traditional that fails is unable to charge for what you used, so therefore it will cut your supply off if a fault/failure occurs to prevent fraud (otherwise it’d be abused like crazy). Smart Meters actually reduce the probability of failure as they’re better built but the Smart functionality does not have any part to play in this sort of thing.

If you need the supply to stay on when a fault occurs and/or you need a 100% guaranteed continuous supply, then PAYG is NOT suitable for you anyway.

In all cases, a catastrophic failure might cut the supply for safety reasons and this is NOT caused by Smart features or anything to do with Smart Meters specifically. Safety cut-outs are safety cut-outs which act independently of that.

Who you contact is easy. Your supplier - if the electric fails, you can also call 105.