Smart Meter Installations resume as lockdown restrictions ease

Customers comfortable with installations

Out of the ‘Big Six’ energy suppliers British Gas, SSE, EDF, Npower, E.ON and OVO have all resumed their smart meter installation programmes.

The move comes after the government announced earlier this month an easing of the lockdown measures that have prevented engineers from entering homes for two months.

Read more: Smart Meter roll out halted by Coronavirus

The easing of restrictions now means that an engineer can once again enter a home to install a smart meter.

 “Now that government guidelines have changed, many of our customers have told us that they are now comfortable that we visit their premises to fit smart meters. That’s why we’re now approaching customers in England and are seeking to fit smart meters for them if they want one. We do this following all government guidelines and have published our COVID-19 Secure protocols on our website, so customers can understand the measures we are taking with PPE and social distancing while in their home.

‘This decision is entirely at each customer’s discretion and if anyone in a customer’s home is aged 70+, has underlying health conditions, is pregnant or is self-isolating, we’ll discuss this with the customer and only proceed if and when it is safe to do so.” said a spokesperson for E.On.

Rising Energy Bills

With meter readers prevented from visiting homes for the last few months and with one in ten adults saying they don’t know how to read their meters, there has been growing concerns that households will experience a spike in their energy bills

According to Uswitch, vulnerable households are likely to have been hit hardest with 21% of those who rely on meter readers being pensioners or having long-term medical conditions.

Meanwhile, more than 11 million households who submit their meter readings have not done so for an average of two months and six days.

This means they last submitted readings before the UK went into lockdown and their bills will not accurately reflect how much their energy use has risen because of spending more time at home.

Staying safe

Some of the measures an energy supplier can introduce to keep their engineers and customers safe during a smart meter installation include:

• Engineers should complete a smart meter installation by following social distancing measures. Only enter a property where they need to do so, for example, if a customer’s meters are located inside or to carry out a gas safety check. This may mean they ask the customer to move to another room in the house to ensure they are following the two-metre rule.
• Smart meter installers will follow hygiene guidelines (regular hand washing and the use of alcohol hand sanitiser).
• Where appropriate, the installer will wear protective clothing and wipe down any areas that they make contact with.
• Between installations, engineers should sanitise their equipment.
• Engineers should constantly review their own well-being according to government guidance.
• Installations should be postponed if government guidance suggests a customer should be self-isolating.
• They'll call you before arriving at your property, just to ensure that nothing has changed with your circumstances.

A spokesperson for EDF said: “The health and safety of our customers and employees remain EDF’s number one priority. Following the latest government guidance, we’re getting the business ready to restart activity, initially in small volumes, while ensuring the safety of all involved.”

Coronavirus recovery

All smart meter installations were put on hold at the end of March after the government brought in strict lockdown measures to slow the spread of the deadly Covid-19 virus.

Since then there have been 281,661 confirmed cases of infection and 39,904 deaths. As a result of the lockdown energy suppliers furloughed thousands of workers- including smart meter engineers.

Not all suppliers have announced a resumption of their smart meter rollouts with some saying that they are still putting measures in place or are waiting until places like Wales and Scotland come into line with the lockdown easing seen in England.

The smart meter rollout was already way behind schedule before the pandemic and the initial deadline of having a smart meter in every home and small business by the end of this year has already been pushed back to 2024 and the installation target reduced from 100% to 85%.

It remains to be seen whether energy suppliers will be able to get on track to hit the new target or whether the deadline could be pushed back once again. Delaying the deadline again, however, will likely clash with other climate change goals set out earlier in the year.

Read more: Replacing the heating system of every UK home could take 1000 years at the current rate says report

Smart meters are meant to save people money on their gas and electricity bills by providing suppliers with accurate meter readings, bringing an end to estimates.

Further Reading

Ofgem announces £350 million support scheme to help struggling energy suppliers

29% Decrease in Switching during April despite Lockdown

Bristol Energy to be sold by Bristol City Council following accountancy firm recommendation

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For more information on how to start and manage an energy company, get in touch with Dyball Associates today.

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