How to Refuse A Smart Meter

Smart Meters are not Mandatory and you have a lawful right to refuse See More

Read about Smart Meter issues and concerns HERE

ELECTRICITY METERS 

If you do not want a smart meter, you must let ESB Networks know

ESB Networks are responsible for the installation of All Electricity Smart Meters in Ireland regardless of who your utility provider is. Do not wait to get a letter from ESB, your provider or Smart Meter contractors – contact them as soon as you can, by telephone and email.

If you receive a letter about a smart meter and do not respond – whether you want one or not – then it is implied that you consent to a smart meter being installed.

Ring the ESB Smart Meter Support Lineon 01 6985005 or 1800 928 123. Take the name of the person you speak to.

Follow up with an email to esbnetworks@esb.ie and inform them that you do not want a Smart Meter.

You will need to give your MPRN (meter number found on bill or meter itself).

Ask for written confirmation that your request has been logged, that you will not be part of the Smart Metering Programme and will not have a Smart Meter installed at your home.

Contact and let your own electricity provider know.

If you get a letter from one of the Smart Meter Contractors – there are different contracting companies installing smart meters throughout the country – eg KN Networks, TLI Group,  MDE Installations etc, contact them also. In some cases ESB did not inform contractors in time that a customer had refused a smart meter, and meters were installed.

You do not have to be at home for contractors to install a smart meter. Most electricity and gas meters are outside the house and can be accessed easily. We have reports of householders returning home from work or being away to find a smart meter has been fitted without their knowledge.

Display a sign/poster on your meter box and property, to say you have refused a smart meter as installation can be done on outside meters even when you are not at home, and contractors may not have been made aware you have opted out – some templates available Stop no smart meter  or Do not install

Do not put a lock on or restrict access to your GAS METER box as it needs to be easily accessible if there is a gas leak. 

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“Regarding right of refusal, I have been informed by the Commission for Energy Regulation that a customer that does not want an upgraded meter will be able to decline to have this new meter installed.”  Minister for Communications, Climate Action & Environment, Denis Naughten  (Oireachtas 2016)

“Consumers with concerns about smart meters can opt-out and keep their “dumb” meter….. ”  April 2018 https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2018/0410/953366-smart-electricity-meters-are-coming-so-what-can-we-expect/

GAS METERS 

Gas Networks are not carrying out a smart meter programme currently. Gas Networks Ireland are responsible for ALL gas meters regardless of your utility company.  They have been replacing meters over the last few years.  They confirm that while these new meters are not Smart Meters, they are “smart ready”, and can be upgraded to a smart meter in the future.

If you are told that your existing meter is too old and has to be replaced, then insist that the replacement is a non-smart meter with no wireless or ‘smart’ capabilities.

We have had reports that Gas Networks Ireland have threatened some people with disconnection and a large re-connection fee if they do not agree to a meter upgrade.  Remember that you have a legal right to refuse a smart meter.

See question from TD Clare Daly in the Dáil and answer from Richard Bruton https://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2019-04-16a.1140&s=clare+daly+smart+meters#g1141.q

Because of this, we strongly advise that if you do not want a Smart Meter, or Smart Ready Meter, when they contact you by letter or email to upgrade your meter, that you tell them you refuse and follow up with a Notice of Non-Consent.

Do not put a lock on or restrict access to your GAS METER box as it needs to be easily accessible if there is a gas leak

 

RF and EMF Radiation

Not all smart meters are equal, as different countries and companies use a variety of makes and models. The smart metering programme in Ireland is at an early stage and it is important to point out that from our testing, RF wireless transmissions may not be as easily measured as seen on some smart meters in other countries. Smart meters can emit short spikes of RF that are difficult to pick up with standard RF measuring equipment even though the smart meter is transmitting often. Electrical interference (dirty electricity) will be constant and that is a concern, and contributor to health problems.

Personal Smartphones, Smart devices and gadgets emit harmful RF radiation

If you are worried about adverse effects of RF microwave radiation, are you aware that all smartphones, smart devices, wifi routers, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and bluetooth devices are also major sources – transmitting almost all the time, unless turned off or disabled completely? To protect yourself, your family, children, others and animals around you, you can take steps to considerably reduce this radiation :

Hardwire your internet connection, disable wifi, disable bluetooth, turn off smartphones and devices when not using. Reduce smartphone and wifi use. Or stop using them. Smartphones and devices emit harmful wireless radiation and need telecommunications masts and wifi routers to operate – the more usage the more radiation exposure to you and those around you.

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This is ES-Ireland’s up to date smart meter leaflet. Other leaflets linking to this page are not from ES-Ireland.

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