In our new abode, the previous occupant had been with BG for gas/electric and they had a rather swish looking Landis Gyr energy monitor/display thingy showing current consumption/cost of electric and 7/28 day costings.

we didn't want continue to BGm, as their unit cost is 30% than our usual supplier, so we switched.

course, now this means that while the display shows unit consumption, but it no longer shows/calculates costings, as it's no longer receiving rates from the smart meter/supplier.

I can't find anything about smart meters on the Scottish Power site, other than "well eventually fit you with one, but in the meantime , how about you spend money on our smart thermostat?"....how about...."no?"

 

So, despite the short term nerd factor, is there any way to "programme" the display with my current suppliers tariffs?  (on the face of it, it appears to be "locked" to BG)

 

You can buy them separately of the interweb. I have one of the BG ones but only as it was free. You can get them for quite cheap. As to hacking the one you have. I would imagine you could do. Its only a digital device, dont see why it couodnt.

we've got a black version of this BG one

 

 

I'm pretty sure within it there is a screen to program what you pay for "Rate 1" and what you pay for "Rate 2" so that it's always current - and i guess so it can be used for Economy 7 and such rates

If its a smart meter (which it does sound like) then no theres nothing you can do.

They are hackable, and the Black Hat convention showed the things were full of security holes nearly 2 years ago, but they were still rolled out.........

 

No, I dont know how and I wont point you at a suitable site because I have enough trouble with BG myself; without them claiming I helped anyone hack one of their "Stupid Meters".

In our new abode, the previous occupant had been with BG for gas/electric and they had a rather swish looking Landis Gyr energy monitor/display thingy showing current consumption/cost of electric and 7/28 day costings.

we didn't want continue to BGm, as their unit cost is 30% than our usual supplier, so we switched.

course, now this means that while the display shows unit consumption, but it no longer shows/calculates costings, as it's no longer receiving rates from the smart meter/supplier.

I can't find anything about smart meters on the Scottish Power site, other than "well eventually fit you with one, but in the meantime , how about you spend money on our smart thermostat?"....how about...."no?"

 

So, despite the short term nerd factor, is there any way to "programme" the display with my current suppliers tariffs?  (on the face of it, it appears to be "locked" to BG)

 

In a nutshell, NO.

 

There is no standard for smart meters at present but this issue is being looked into by OFGEM, and suppliers.

 

At present, if your smart meter was installed by BG, then it's just not going to work with your new supplier, therefore you will loose the smart meter functionality.

 

You can however use it as a normal basic energy monitor, and it will show consumption, but no longer costings.

 

Talk to your new supplier, they ma=y be able to change it to one of the smart meters they supply and BANG, you're up and running again.

 

They may charge you for this as there is nothing wrong with the meter you're currently using.