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Being forced to a Smart Tariff

  • 07-05-2025 10:04AM
    #1
    Firblog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,274 ✭✭✭


    Hi, I had a smart metre put in a couple of years ago; I switched to Yuno energy last year with no issues, normal 24 hour tariff. Last month I was going to switch to Bord Gáis Energy via bonkers for a better rate, then I got an email next day…

    "Thank you for placing your recent energy order through bonkers.ie

    Unfortunately, your order has been rejected by your chosen supplier as the tariff you selected is incompatible with your current smart meter configuration. Your meter configuration requires that you sign up for a smart tariff. To make things easier, you can filter your search results using our 'only show' heading on the left-hand panel of our comparison page by choosing 'smart tariffs' only.

    We recommend you complete a new energy comparison on our site here the day after your contract expires" etc

    I thought that when taking in a smart metre you wouldn't be forced to go onto a 'smart tariff'? Who do I contact to query this?

    Cheers.



Comments

  • #2
    spaceHopper
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,166 ✭✭✭spaceHopper


    I think they update the firmware in the meter so it can only work on a smart plan. Sounds very iffiy to me though. I'd try calling one of the sales lines. My pick would be electric Ireland as they are tied to ESB networks. Be from, they want a sale so stand your ground. If they say the meter won't work, then it must be faulty and have it replaced…..



  • #3
    Rock Steady Edy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 432 ✭✭Rock Steady Edy


    You were probably unwittingly moved to from an MCC01 non-smart tariff to an MCC12 Time of Use smart tariff with ESB networks when you signed up to Yuno Energy, and didn't spot this because you remained on a 24 hour plan. You only found out when you tried to move to Bord Gais.

    Exactly that happened to me when I signed up to a 24 hour plan with Electric Ireland in Jan 2022, and it only came to light when I tried to move to another 24 (non-smart) plan with Flogas 18 months later. I had to accept a non 24 hour smart tariff with Flogas, which worked out a little more expensive when I crunched the numbers.

    I complained to Electric Ireland and asked to be moved back to the MCC01 meter or compensated for my future higher bills and I got nowhere. I then escalated the issue to the CRU, who took 14 months to get to my complaint and eventually ruled in Electric Ireland's favour. (They did award me €40 for the way EI had responded.) I think I had given a pretty good case, but I believe they wanted to avoid setting a precedent of moving customers back to an MCC01 tariff at all costs. At the end of the day though, could it be reasonably be expected that a customer understands the complexities of an MCC01 or MCC12 tariff when all they are trying to do is switch to a more competitive rate? No, I don't think so.

    Check your historic bills to see if I'm right about if and when an MCC changeover happened. Try going through the complaints process if you like, but I wouldn't hold out much hope. However, even if you eventually escalate your complaint to the CRU, at least they might start to see a picture that there's a problem if they have several complaints on file.

    Post edited by Rock Steady Edy on


  • #4
    ted1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,305 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    and what’s the issue ?



  • #5
    Firblog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,274 ✭✭✭Firblog


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123425571#Comment_123425571

    I was quite happy on the 24 hour tariff, and don't want to be on a smart one, is that ok?



  • #6
    Escapees
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 737 ✭✭✭Escapees


    Unfortunately while Yuno probably offered the best savings at the time, part of the contract terms are that you agree to letting a smart meter be installed and activated. This condition is shown by Bonkers when comparing the different plans etc.



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  • #7
    sell9999
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30 ✭sell9999


    I had the same experience with Yuno.

    Even if not signed up to a smart plan installing the Yuno app with meter reads triggers the meter change.

    I installed the Yuno app months after switching to them as it was only way to manually pay a bill.

    Only discovered what had happened trying to switch to a new provider non smart plan.

    ESB Networks were the only ones who could explain what had happened, Yuno customer service were no help.

    There is no going back once the MCC has been changed, even if you weren't aware of it.

    Phone ESB Networks if you want to find out if the meter was changed.



  • #8
    WildCardDoW
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 915 ✭✭✭WildCardDoW


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123425726#Comment_123425726

    But the 24 hour tariff was a smart one.

    It's Yuno that has left you in this situation, not anyone else.



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