Smart meters - what's the current thinking?
Discussion
brrapp said:
kennydies said:
Our Gas meter is buried under a granite worktop and behind a kitchen cupboard. I don't see how they could even replace it without destroying a corner of our kitchen. What would they do in this case?
Ask yourself 'What would they do if the existing gas meter became faulty and/or started to leak?' They'd either replace it or if they genuinely couldn't access it, they'd cut off the gas supply to make it safe. Maybe they won't do this straight away with smart meter replacements as they still have the option to leave it, but longer term it'll have to come out . Was the existing meter already in there and the kitchen built around it? I think that would make it your responsibility to provide reasonable access.
I recently had an electricity smart meter installed, I have it sitting on my desk. It's pretty interesting for about a day or so to find out where our eletricity costs are going. It also has a temperature display (yes, easily pleased 
), just another gadget to be forgotten about. I was hoping for a gas smart meter also but for some reason she couldn't fit it.
), just another gadget to be forgotten about. I was hoping for a gas smart meter also but for some reason she couldn't fit it. Craikeybaby said:
13m said:
Craikeybaby said:
I got a device like that from my energy supplier a few years ago, without having to allow them control of my supply.
That sounds like an energy monitor, not a smart meter.Quite useful as you could voluntarily upload the date to keep track of usage. However it stopped working and SWALEC decided not to support them. Obviously due to "smart meter" roll out?
There is absolutely no need for smart meters other than to control your usage directly.
Hilts said:
What are the downsides of smart meters then apart from the tinfoil hat stuff?
They'll all be compulsory anyway eventually.
Eventually they will be the only meters available yes - but you do realise it will take a massive change in legislation to make unauthorised data uploading "compulsory"?They'll all be compulsory anyway eventually.
PRTVR said:
eliot said:
I'm with ovo, here's their own view on them:
https://www.ovoenergy.com/about-ovo/media-centre/c...
Essentially it all seems a big mess with nothing being interoperable between vendors:
https://www.ovoenergy.com/ovo-answers/topics/smart...
SMETS2 specification is supposed to address that, but they seem to pour cold water on that too and confirms they are not out yet.
Interestingly if you switch suppliers they may rip out your old smart meters and fit their own, as they say it's all a big mess, I wonder who got this so badly wrong ?https://www.ovoenergy.com/about-ovo/media-centre/c...
Essentially it all seems a big mess with nothing being interoperable between vendors:
https://www.ovoenergy.com/ovo-answers/topics/smart...
SMETS2 specification is supposed to address that, but they seem to pour cold water on that too and confirms they are not out yet.
I had my smart meter installed by EON about 16 months ago. Sadly it's not compatible with the OVO ones as it's the old kind.
It really is a shambles.
I have mine set up as total spend per month. I pay a dd amount each month and this month I'll spend more than the dd. Luckily I'm in credit and spend £30 ish a month less over summer.
Edited by Downward on Friday 20th January 13:40
ashleyman said:
BG have offered us a smart-meter on our current plan with the same cost per KW/Gas but with a day of the weekend where we get free electricity.
Very tempted to go for it.
Well rightly or wrongly we've gone for it Very tempted to go for it.
Although it's become quite a challenge seeing how much washing/drying you can get done in one day.
triple5 said:
ashleyman said:
BG have offered us a smart-meter on our current plan with the same cost per KW/Gas but with a day of the weekend where we get free electricity.
Very tempted to go for it.
Well rightly or wrongly we've gone for it Very tempted to go for it.
Although it's become quite a challenge seeing how much washing/drying you can get done in one day.
Any sign of them ripping you off yet? Thats what I'm most worried about reading all the comments in this thread. Is the smart meter actually helpful? Or just terrifying in terms of telling you your usage!
Riley Blue said:
As a result of having one installed for electricity we've bought a clothes drying rack. Our tumble dryer is now used far less than previously, probably for 10% of the time we used it for before.
Amazing! It's put £6 per year on every energy bill (every year) in the U.K. for you to discover that using your tumble drier less is cheaper .... thanks for that 
But hey ho it was "free" and obviously you needed a new one
ashleyman said:
I've booked to have ours fitted early Feb and we're planning to do the same. All washing and drying in a day!
Any sign of them ripping you off yet? Thats what I'm most worried about reading all the comments in this thread. Is the smart meter actually helpful? Or just terrifying in terms of telling you your usage!
Nope it's been fine, it's quite gratifying when at 9:00 every Sunday you see the rate drop to Zero.Any sign of them ripping you off yet? Thats what I'm most worried about reading all the comments in this thread. Is the smart meter actually helpful? Or just terrifying in terms of telling you your usage!
Had to chuckle when wifey announced we would be having the Sunday roast one hour earlier to max the free usage
Wouldn't have one fitted in any house I live in. Ever.
They are of benefit, certainly, but not to the end user, only to the greedy, grasping utility companies.
Of course, eventually they will'mop up' people like me, who eventually will become the last remaining refuseniks, by using existing legislation to threaten us with prison sentences if we don't comply, because that's how we do things now in this country. "We'll ask you nicely, but ultimately if you refuse we'll have you put in jail". And we permit private profit making companies to do this Outrageous.
The rest of you...good luck with your "smart meters", you'll bloody need it. Enjoy your free days of electricity, or whatever other blackmail they have used on you, because if you abuse that little privilege they'll simply use your "smart meter" to restrict your supply.
They are of benefit, certainly, but not to the end user, only to the greedy, grasping utility companies.
Of course, eventually they will'mop up' people like me, who eventually will become the last remaining refuseniks, by using existing legislation to threaten us with prison sentences if we don't comply, because that's how we do things now in this country. "We'll ask you nicely, but ultimately if you refuse we'll have you put in jail". And we permit private profit making companies to do this Outrageous.
The rest of you...good luck with your "smart meters", you'll bloody need it. Enjoy your free days of electricity, or whatever other blackmail they have used on you, because if you abuse that little privilege they'll simply use your "smart meter" to restrict your supply.
dickymint said:
Riley Blue said:
As a result of having one installed for electricity we've bought a clothes drying rack. Our tumble dryer is now used far less than previously, probably for 10% of the time we used it for before.
Amazing! It's put £6 per year on every energy bill (every year) in the U.K. for you to discover that using your tumble drier less is cheaper .... thanks for that But hey ho it was "free" and obviously you needed a new one
zarjaz1991 said:
Wouldn't have one fitted in any house I live in. Ever.
They are of benefit, certainly, but not to the end user, only to the greedy, grasping utility companies.
Of course, eventually they will'mop up' people like me, who eventually will become the last remaining refuseniks, by using existing legislation to threaten us with prison sentences if we don't comply, because that's how we do things now in this country. "We'll ask you nicely, but ultimately if you refuse we'll have you put in jail". And we permit private profit making companies to do this Outrageous.
The rest of you...good luck with your "smart meters", you'll bloody need it. Enjoy your free days of electricity, or whatever other blackmail they have used on you, because if you abuse that little privilege they'll simply use your "smart meter" to restrict your supply.
Where is this coming from? Where is your evidence or proof? I've got a few weeks to cancel so if you want to help me 'see the light' then please do. They are of benefit, certainly, but not to the end user, only to the greedy, grasping utility companies.
Of course, eventually they will'mop up' people like me, who eventually will become the last remaining refuseniks, by using existing legislation to threaten us with prison sentences if we don't comply, because that's how we do things now in this country. "We'll ask you nicely, but ultimately if you refuse we'll have you put in jail". And we permit private profit making companies to do this Outrageous.
The rest of you...good luck with your "smart meters", you'll bloody need it. Enjoy your free days of electricity, or whatever other blackmail they have used on you, because if you abuse that little privilege they'll simply use your "smart meter" to restrict your supply.
ashleyman said:
zarjaz1991 said:
Wouldn't have one fitted in any house I live in. Ever.
They are of benefit, certainly, but not to the end user, only to the greedy, grasping utility companies.
Of course, eventually they will'mop up' people like me, who eventually will become the last remaining refuseniks, by using existing legislation to threaten us with prison sentences if we don't comply, because that's how we do things now in this country. "We'll ask you nicely, but ultimately if you refuse we'll have you put in jail". And we permit private profit making companies to do this Outrageous.
The rest of you...good luck with your "smart meters", you'll bloody need it. Enjoy your free days of electricity, or whatever other blackmail they have used on you, because if you abuse that little privilege they'll simply use your "smart meter" to restrict your supply.
Where is this coming from? Where is your evidence or proof? I've got a few weeks to cancel so if you want to help me 'see the light' then please do. They are of benefit, certainly, but not to the end user, only to the greedy, grasping utility companies.
Of course, eventually they will'mop up' people like me, who eventually will become the last remaining refuseniks, by using existing legislation to threaten us with prison sentences if we don't comply, because that's how we do things now in this country. "We'll ask you nicely, but ultimately if you refuse we'll have you put in jail". And we permit private profit making companies to do this Outrageous.
The rest of you...good luck with your "smart meters", you'll bloody need it. Enjoy your free days of electricity, or whatever other blackmail they have used on you, because if you abuse that little privilege they'll simply use your "smart meter" to restrict your supply.
Think internet usage - if you sign up for 2 gig but use more you get stung!!
I know I will get done over eventually, I believe there is a clause that says end of life meters must be replaced with this?
All I can do at that point is opt out of everything possible. Not had the invite yet anyway. Main concern is we have external meters and they will just change it when I am out.
All I can do at that point is opt out of everything possible. Not had the invite yet anyway. Main concern is we have external meters and they will just change it when I am out.
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