Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

I think Octopus have always had that rule for moving from Smart to non Smart tariffs (and back again).

If you move away from Tracker, you cant return to it for 9 months ...

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

This is what prompted my post, maybe it's always been like that as you say.

https://www.reddit.com/r/OctopusEner...iff_switchers/

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

Oh, thats new, Agile & Go are both smart tariffs.
You used to be able to switch between them at will.

I'm not surprised if they are clamping down.
I used to see many posts in a facebook group about people switching almost daily.

Reading that page, it seems some are still switching at will.

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

You obviously shouldn't be able to switch tariffs more than once a year (because this is how things are budgeted). That arrangement was never going to last.

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

For the first time since I switched to Intelligent Octopus Go in (IIRC) January, they have started charging my car outside of the official off-peak time, which is meant to start at 11.30pm.

The FAQs do say they can in theory kick off a charge at any time of day and it will always be charged at the off-peak rate (still 7p despite a couple of rises in the peak rate), but it was still a surprise to see my worktop meter lit up like a Christmas tree a little earlier this evening. :D

Sadly while they can charge the car for cheap at any time the rest of the leccy in the house is charged at regular prices except from 11.30pm-05.30am.

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

3 calls a day on average now. The same script, either with a thick Scottish accent or an Indian lilt that is often impossible to understand.

".... upgrade to a Smart Meter..."

"No thanks" and hang up.

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

Do what I do never answer the phone unless you know the number who is calling, my mobile can even answer it for me I think and they have to speak to that which then shows in text on the screen i can then decide to accept or reject.

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

Either opt out of such communications ( its possible ), or change the phone no you give them to 0123456789 . That also works.

A phone number is not needed for an energy supply.

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

Unless you are on the Priority Services Register. ;)

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

I had EON call me and text me to upgrade to a SM as my current meter has com to the end of it life.


I said I work full-time, if I don't work I don't get paid, can you do after 5:30 or weekends, they said no.


So no good to me then, they still send me bumph, but I just ignore it.


It's no great hardship reading the meter and submitting the reading myself every month.

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

I don't send them any readings, they estimate it and eventually send somebody to do a reading (someone who still has a job I may add).

I'm currently slightly in credit

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

According to my Octopus app meter readings they sent a human out in August to check, first time ever for me. This meant I had 4 very strange meter readings(bills) in August like billing me £7.83 and then refunding £7.83 all on the same day, it's annoying because each meter reading generates a bill, the mind boggles! Luckily nothing got messed up and the September bill looks normal.

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

A friend, a concrete engineer, is involved in works in Finland that will mean the end of cheap off-peak electricity for the public all over the country, and eventually far wider.

Power is bought off-peak to heat sand in large silos, then converted back into electricity at above 85% efficiency when demand rises. Or the silos can provide cheap heating for homes and businesses. It is expected that this system will flatten-out the price increase per kWh that applies at peak periods that consumers are charged via their smart meters.

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

So sand-based energy storage? Sounds good as energy storage with renewals is needed.

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

WOW, who'd have thought that Filey Bay could become the center of UK Power storage :D

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

Probably the wrong kind of sand ... ;)

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

She sent me a link about it. https://polarnightenergy.com/news/wo...w-in-operation

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

A friend has just joined Octopus after being on a Prepayment Meter.

But he doesn't understand the bill he has been sent.

Any ideas?

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

Anything with a minus sign means you're in debt

https://octopus.energy/blog/statement-questions/

I got confused too. I don't know why they don't just put credit and owed. Bit like Tesco receipts.

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

Octopus bills are just weird.
I found checking the History to make the most sense.
[ Payments > View my balance history ]

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

A vid about the sand energy storage system:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2ikEs...?feature=share

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

Tomato Energy is expected to go into administration with in days.

Anybody use them on CF?

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

Remember companies going bust are not a "problem" for the consumer. That is media spin.

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

Pretty sure its a problem for the consumer if they are on a tariff the company they get transferred to cannot do.

---------- Post added at 21:39 ---------- Previous post was at 21:36 ----------

Ofgem stopped them taking on new customers, warning it could revoke its licence if the company failed to demonstrate its financial stability.

Then they decide to impose a £1.5m fine - so how exactly does that help it "demonstrate its financial stability".

Seems Ofgem are the ones putting the final nail in the coffin.

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

Free Electricity in my area tonight 9-10pm and 12-3pm Saturday with Octopus, not sure if it national.

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

Have you got an extra long extension lead, my best buddy? :D

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

:D

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

Apparantly you can't get sustainable energy from tomatoes after all...

BBC News - Regulator steps in as Basingstoke-based Tomato Energy collapses - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/...eferrer=search

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

Yep, its been known they were collapsing for a long time now, it was just a matter of when.

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

From todays budget ;

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

Oddly, they are now quoting £150 rather than £88.
Either way, I dont understand how this is going to work for most people (on fixed deals) ?

What is going to reduce ? £150 is 41p a day, so are standing charges going to reduce by 41p (across Gas/Electric) ?
Gas is only 29p a day, while Electric is about 48p, plus surely the fixed prices cannot be reduced, thats what fixed means.

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

The standing charges are set by the regulator they could change them as long as the total effect allows them to remain solvent. But there are various reasons, some that they don't bother to tell us, that they don't do this.

Re: Smart Meters and Tariffs
 

Well it turns out it will be done by lowering the price per kWh.

Gas: down 0.31p/kWh (0.35p including VAT).
Electricity: down 3.37p/kWh (3.54p including VAT).

Its "expected" (but not confirmed) that this will be applied to fixed tariffs as well as variable.