I was forced by SSE now OVO after forced transfer/join to have a smart meter despite the fact I'd stated I didn't want one. I'd been none stop badgered. They then claimed they no longer have old metres to replace faulty ones with & I was forced to take smart for both Gas & Electric on top as they say that's the only way they can work???. Since having it if it runs out & you top up , IT DOESNT COME BACK ON!! You have to go through a very long process on the phone ( That's if you can get through as 1 number claims THEY DONT WORK WEEKENDS!! I had to find a 2nd number from emergency gas on phone) I have mobility issues and its a absolute pain. This has happened twice now. With the old metres if it ran out and then yoh topped up, it would automatically come back on. Totally ridiculous. Then to be patronised " Remember to keep it regularly topped up" . Brings me to my next issue. Having been mainly bed bound for past couple years I only use really very little electric ( top up phone, fridge) and I got paid a lump some of money earlier in the year & topped up enough with that, that it should've lasted till NEXT YEAR!! So clearly it running out several kinds short shows some major overcharging!. When the gas goes I'm telling them they can turn it off. I'm no longer buying gas. I hardly use it. The boiler is off at the wall & I take cold showers & baths from march to October. Yet the weekly standing charge ( so paying just for no gas) is about £4 a week!! That's £208 A YEAR For nothing. No Gas just a charge ABSOLUTELY SCANDALOUS. This is why I loved that my old property had a Emertion heater. Because that way you could just have a hot bath in winter with that & it was way cheaper! than gas.. im not keep paying £208 in just a fee for having the metre but not using gas. According to the woman on phone I can't have metres removed. I pay more in standing charges than I do in usage. So I think I will be switching