Switching electric/gas providers (see first post for links)

Submit a meter reading and get a bill issued.

If you filled out the form and heard nothing, usually means you're switched over. If there's an issue, they'd contact you. They are odd in this but I doubt its to save money. Wouldn't cost much (if anything) to send an automated email once a flag is activated in their database.

Yes, their automated comms is awful, but they are the cheapest rate for the second year running so, like yourself, I'll likely be going there in a couple months time.

Not quite (from, https://www.rte.ie/news/primetime/2024/0422/1445042-smart-tariff-uptake-at-just-11-despite-major-smart-meter-rollout/ which I assume is based on the episode):

ESB Networks added while tariffs are a matter for each electricity supplier, "there is no requirement to change the meter configuration if a customer decides to move back to a flat tariff from a smart tariff, the supplier is not restricted in how it prices each period."

My understanding (and this could be wrong) is that its an ESB decision to prevent rollback. Once you start supplying energy providers with 30 minute data, there's no going back. You must continue to provide them with that data. That's what smart activation really means. That decision makes sense to me. You can't decide to force companies to physically read your meter again.

However, there is nothing preventing energy suppliers providing equivalent rates i.e. 24 hour rates with that smart data.

EDIT: I agree it should be highlighted. What EI did isn't something I agree with.

I'm with them at the minute on their fixed 12-month Community plan from last August - I wonder if they'll let me change over if I call them up though?

I thought it was an affinity offer too, ie meant to be for employees of Certa? Would they not ask you where you heard about the offer if you called them?

I think you're wrong there. My smart meter was never activated and I can get the half hourly readings via the esbn site.

Did you read the article? Obviously not.

Electricity supply companies can only obtain access to the 30-minute breakdown from ESB Networks when a customer signs up for a smart tariff.

While consumers can request their smart electricity usage data directly from ESB prior to switching there is no way to cross reference the data with available price plans.

Your smart meter isn't activated, youre on a standard tariff. You can get it from the ESB however you like. That's what activation is. Suppliers cannot and when you allow them get it, you can't go back. How exactly am I wrong?

I didn't realise your provider couldn't see the data, pesky little thing in the way here, it's called a job😏

Only for your man setting up energypal nobody would have a clue how to pick a provider. It's a great site.

They e stopped transferring those who are still well within contract, tried 2 agents a few weeks back.

Suppliers can’t see the 30 minute data on an unactivated smart meter.

You’re right tho, it’s not quite the requirement for physical meter readers. I think the logic largely follows however. You can’t hide your usage pattern after revealing it.

I got switched over, in saying that I had received a letter from them advising me that my contract was due to expire, maybe you need to be inside that window. I can't remember how far out from the expiry date it was, maybe it was 4 weeks I'm not certain.

Just a question on this, I have a smart meter that was installed shortly after I got solar. In order to get FIT this was a requirement. However I have never "activated" my meter(ie standard 24hr meter). I also can download my own data from ESBN and my supplier Flogas can do the same, as far as I'm aware. No estimated bills or readings sent in by myself.

So, surely Flogas ARE able to receive my electricity consumption data??

Ah right, thought that would be the same thing👍️

So why can't suppliers see the data? Is that an ESBN decision?

ESB can see the data but don’t give it to the suppliers unless you activate. That’s what activation appears to do. It’s from here:

https://www.rte.ie/news/primetime/2024/0422/1445042-smart-tariff-uptake-at-just-11-despite-major-smart-meter-rollout/

I dunno the reason, my guess? They want the meters installed and more people would refuse the install if they were forced to change tariffs. Suppliers having the data would likely allow them to force you to change tariff based on usage because some people would be a lot more expensive than others.

I’m not sure the logic is quite sound but it’s all I got (and a guess).