Can I refuse a smart meter?

ELM327

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121601054#Comment_121601054

I am still making more on the deemed export than I would on exporting. 3 EVs and 45kwh of storage. I'm not refusing the smart meter (as opposed to a smart tariff, as you rightly point out) but I'm more than happy to wait for them to contact me!

You only dont get paid the deemed export if you refuse, not if you are waiting for them to contact you! I got deemed export paid on my christmas bill. A nice addition alongside the 150 quid credit

Glaceon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121601013#Comment_121601013

Or the builders of your house or a previous owner did it, tying you (and any subsequent owners) into it, as is my case!

ELM327

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121601098#Comment_121601098

A previous owner did it in my case, but I was able to get the smart meter removed and a day night meter fitted when we bought in 2022.

But yes, it's pretty crap if a prior owner, builder or tenant, is able to tie you into a smart meter and smart tariff!

yllw.ldbttr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121601087#Comment_121601087

Fair enough. Was in a similar position but they got to me in October at the start of the Smart D/N rollout. Seems like they are prioritising anyone with solar so only a matter of time.

I agree with you, stayed on deemed export as long as possible but for me, I'm financially better off on a Smart D/N staying on D/N tariff and getting actual export (alternative would have been no export at all).

ELM327

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121601145#Comment_121601145

The chap came out to me to ask if I wanted it, I said I'd only had the smart meter removed for the day night last year and that I wasnt really interested but wouldnt refuse. That was october, and they havent been back since, but I'm still getting deemed export.

yllw.ldbttr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121601205#Comment_121601205

Guy might have done you a favour so and just put you to the back of the queue.

If you call ESBN they can tell you if a refusal is logged against your MPRN but it doesn't sound like it if you're still getting deemed export.

Might as well enjoy it while it lasts. My actual export is a tiny fraction of the deemed export I was getting (due to EVs, Eddi and Batteries)

ELM327

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121601221#Comment_121601221

I think I'll leave well enough alone and not call!

Absolutely. My plan is, once I'm on metered export, to charge the batteries to full from the grid every night, then dump any excess to the grid just before the end of day rate time, as well as all generated solar being sent to the grid (export payment being higher than night rate, it makes no sense to use the solar myself when I could store night rate electricity and use that in the day instead)

But unless and until I'm change to a RM108 day night smart meter, I'll continue doing as I do now which sounds the same as what you are.

yllw.ldbttr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121601235#Comment_121601235

Exactly spot on.

When on deemed export I used to try manage the charge using Home Assistant prodictions.

Now I fully charge my 15kwh every night and just let any excess flow back. Of course between tx losses and wear and tear I'd say it negates the difference between the night rate and the feed in rate but it makes for easier system management. I won't need to changes settings until March maybe.

Davio

Can you still refuse to have a smart meter? I can't see anything on the ESB website.

GavMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123253670#Comment_123253670

Probably but ultimately it is their meter and they are quite entitled to force the change or cut you off.

But really why would you bother. The meter can be changed and you can stay on your current plan. The only real use case to put this off is if you have a meter that reverses and you export you Solar PV generation and get paid the Estimated FIT payment

MojoMaker

The answer to "why would you bother" is that every 2 months when your plan expires you may not be able to renew your legacy D/N plan (and rates).

Then you're at the mercy of whatever pricing decisions the supplier wishes to make for Smart meter plan holder, and unfortunately at the moment not many smart meter plans are as competitive as the "old" day/night plans.

D_D

Just to come back on something for folks who are actively opting out of getting a smart meter out of fear of smart tariffs and them being more expensive, as others have said you can't be forced off you existing tariff setup (MCC) if you're D/N or 24hr… But another big thing that you're missing is access to your half-hourly data and how beneficial this is for making savings. You can access this data without changing your tariff with your energy supplier by setting up an ESB Networks account and you can use this data on Energypal.ie to find the best offer available specifically to you and your usage.

Buffman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123253670#Comment_123253670

100% you can, they don't advertise it for obvious reasons but all you have to do is contact ESBN with you MPRN and tell them you don't want it.

ELM327

I'm now on an RM108 smart meter. This means, while I get a smart meter installed, I kept my MCC02 tariff designation while now getting paid for actual export. Therefore I modified my settings and send everything to the grid now, and charge the house batteries at night. It doesn't even make sense to charge or use my excess solar as it could be sold to the grid for 18-24c (depending on supplier) and I can purchase cheaper (12-13c) electricity at night to charge batteries and cars and heating etc.

I don't mind the smart meter once they introduced the RM108 code, meaning the meter is set up to mimick a legacy day night meter and you keep the all important MCC02 tariff code.

It's funny looking back on my older posts on this thread, what I was posting was correct, but then in the interim I changed my mind because the RM108s became available.

gazzaman22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123254796#Comment_123254796

How do i contact the ESB mate? Is there a dedicated email adresss or Number?

Thanks

September1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123292156#Comment_123292156

When they were changing meters in my area, they distributed leaflets in advance. There was phone number to call and tell them that you do not want to change meter. I think they add note to your MPRN and that is it.

zg3409

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123292156#Comment_123292156

Often they send you a letter notifying of smart meter rollout and it has a contact phone number for the sub contractor. I also put a note in the meter box and they attempted to change it anyway

Buffman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123292156#Comment_123292156

The ordinary non-emergency contact methods for ESBN will be fine, or if the contractor has already contacted you their info will be in the letter.

https://www.esbnetworks.ie/customer-support/customer-support-queries

NIMAN

Got mine changed out a few weeks ago, installer said they really wasn't any point refusing it as everyone eventually will have to get one.

Thought they would introduce a charge on your bill if it required someone to come out to read it.

He said I would be able to hold on to the DN tariff, it wouldn't be taken off me.

Time will tell.