Doh! Octopus & meter replacement

If the meter has reverted to 'dumb' mode but still functions otherwise, some disillusioned people might not see a reason to replace it (hence the state of the battery wouldn't be an issue).

Thanks for posting that. I have dumb meters and, once a month, I take readings from the two meters and post them to the Octopus website. Hence I get the same result with a minimum of hassle.

No, dead as a brick, no display, no readings, no nothing.

I got a free month of gas while waiting for them to come out, but I suspect I'm going to end up with higher monthly direct debits because 12 months later EDF decided my consumption has massively increased ...

No difference what-so ever!

No reason at all, unless you subscribe to these conspiracy theories!

Seems to be a massive advance, and advantage to me!

With Octopus, by default, they charge me once per month, based on what my meters record, for precisely what I have used. Should I so wish, I can still do a manual reading, and send that in - if I do that, then Octopus’s system, automatically generates an extra bill, along with taking an interim payment.

It all runs, and has always run - sweet as a nut.

I would seem to be getting quicker updates, with the Octopus, optional, 'pink gadget' installed.

Seems a major disadvantage to me!

I began logging my readings, weekly, pre-smart meters, and it's a habit I have continued - despite it being completely unnecessary...

Unnecessary, because I have the very same data available to me, on the Octopus site, with a granularity of 30 minutes, going back for many years.

I also gain access to smart tariffs, which has certainly saved me a worthwhile sum, over the years. I don't have an EV, solar panels, batteries, etc., so my only valid tariff, better than the CAP, is the Tracker tariff. That tariff varies from day to day, but fixed for each

That, I certainly agree with - a vast waste of public money!

My meter readings always get through, always absolutely consistent.

Well someone needs to go back in time and tell Einstein.

Yes, I am aware of that, but so far nobody has suggested that the existing meter could be out of calibration. I do use quite a lot of electricity, so the change from 99999 to 00000 is probably well within the expected life of the meter.

I am on a 2-year fixed price contract with a regular direct debit, so I can't see any benefit from a meter that broadcasts my usage frequently. I just send in a meter reading once a month or so to avoid any significant drift between real usage and estimates.

Depends on what you mean by "out of calibration". All meters have a certification period, within which calibration is guaranteed.

If its older than that, its probably still accurate, but it is in fact illegal to continue to use it. The certification period is set by the office of product safety and standards...

.. my meter is an EDMI smart meter dated 2021 and as EDMI meters only have a 10 year lifetime, its half way through its life already...

.. you can check yours and report back...

Dave

On 23/01/2026 16:27, David Wade wrote:

My electric meter is a Landis + Gyr installed in June 2013. It is not in that list.

I suspect it has a 10 year validity, like all the other Landis+Gyr on there, and is no longer approved so has dropped of the list.

Dave

I'm not convinced it was false. Smart Meters, do open up the door, to lots of ways for you to save big money on your bills, which are only available if you have a smart meter. EV's, off-peak, solar panels, batteries can all make it worthwhile, but even with none of these things, then on a suitable tariff, there are still some savings to be had.