Smart meters - Avoid?
Discussion
Some people don't seem to like/want them but personally can't see the downside, no need to submit meter readings and you can monitor your usage and potentially save money with that knowledge. The only historical issue was the first generation meters (SMETS 1) that tend to be somewhat supplier specific so if you change energy company quite often the meter stops being smart. That's being largely dealt with now by updating old meters and new ones being fitted (SMETS 2) should work with all energy companies going forward.
LocoBlade said:
Some people don't seem to like/want them but personally can't see the downside, no need to submit meter readings and you can monitor your usage and potentially save money with that knowledge. The only historical issue was the first generation meters (SMETS 1) that tend to be somewhat supplier specific so if you change energy company quite often the meter stops being smart. That's being largely dealt with now by updating old meters and new ones being fitted (SMETS 2) should work with all energy companies going forward.
Interesting. We have a smart meter which was installed about 2 yeads ago and when we changed providers (we do this every year, who doesn't??? Saves you a fortune) and it stopped working. 320d is all you need said:
Interesting. We have a smart meter which was installed about 2 yeads ago and when we changed providers (we do this every year, who doesn't??? Saves you a fortune) and it stopped working.
Likewise, BG installed mine in a new build two years ago. Now with Shell Energy, the electric one is still smart whilst the gas one is now dumb.Dr Murdoch said:
It appears I signed up to a British Gas tariff that requires the installation of a smart meter. I can switch to a more expensive tariff (mid-term) or have the smart meter installed.
They're incentivising you to have one. Now why would that be - because you benefit, or them?320d is all you need said:
Interesting. We have a smart meter which was installed about 2 yeads ago and when we changed providers (we do this every year, who doesn't??? Saves you a fortune) and it stopped working.
https://www.ovoenergy.com/help/national-update-of-...Edited by LocoBlade on Wednesday 12th May 21:35
Simpo Two said:
They're incentivising you to have one. Now why would that be - because you benefit, or them?
Or simply a case of beneficial to both parties, if it saves me money do I really care if the energy companies also benefit from being able to track consumption etc more accurately or need a smaller army of meter reading staff driving around in vans?Edited by LocoBlade on Wednesday 12th May 21:38
There is no down side to them realistically, you are likely to slightly reduce your bills & will save faffing around with meter readings & over/under spends that bite you end of term.
Sometimes compatibility issues between suppliers, but worse case they revert back to 'old fashioned'. Newer stuff is more compatible iirc.
The tin foil hat brigade will be along shortly...
Sometimes compatibility issues between suppliers, but worse case they revert back to 'old fashioned'. Newer stuff is more compatible iirc.
The tin foil hat brigade will be along shortly...
LocoBlade said:
Simpo Two said:
They're incentivising you to have one. Now why would that be - because you benefit, or them?
Or simply a case of beneficial to both parties, if it saves me money do I really care if the energy companies also benefit from being able to track consumption etc more accurately or need a smaller army of meter reading staff driving around in vans?Edited by LocoBlade on Wednesday 12th May 21:38
Getting ready for time of use tariffs.
They already exist for industry.
I couldn't care less about most of the other "tin foil hat" worries about privacy etc, but I have no interest in being "encouraged" by way of punitive daytime costs to be kept awake by my (or next doors) washing machine, or charged more to cook tea at teatime. (TBF we have a gas cooker now so that's that one out).
Eon have been pestering me since Oct, as apparently I agreed to it when I renewed with them last year.. I have just been ignoring them - only need to make it tlanother month and it'll be time to switch again anyway.
They already exist for industry.
I couldn't care less about most of the other "tin foil hat" worries about privacy etc, but I have no interest in being "encouraged" by way of punitive daytime costs to be kept awake by my (or next doors) washing machine, or charged more to cook tea at teatime. (TBF we have a gas cooker now so that's that one out).
Eon have been pestering me since Oct, as apparently I agreed to it when I renewed with them last year.. I have just been ignoring them - only need to make it tlanother month and it'll be time to switch again anyway.
Alucidnation said:
LocoBlade said:
Simpo Two said:
They're incentivising you to have one. Now why would that be - because you benefit, or them?
Or simply a case of beneficial to both parties, if it saves me money do I really care if the energy companies also benefit from being able to track consumption etc more accurately or need a smaller army of meter reading staff driving around in vans?Edited by LocoBlade on Wednesday 12th May 21:38
I agreed to have a smart electricity meter fitted by Eon as it was 'demanded' by the tariff. They made an appointment for Tuesday 11 May between 12 & 4 which I was happy with and confirmed but nobody showed up and I've had nothing to from Eon to explain why.
The meters may be smart but it seems the companies who organise the bookings less so!
The meters may be smart but it seems the companies who organise the bookings less so!
You can already get a tariff that's charged per half hour.
If you had smart appliances, you could ask your washing machine to turn on during a cheap period over night.
It makes most sense if you've got an electric car, which more and more of us will have in the future.
Likewise, electric heating will be more common.
All of that will save you money.
I believe the energy companies have to try and get you to have one, hence they try and force them on you.
If you had smart appliances, you could ask your washing machine to turn on during a cheap period over night.
It makes most sense if you've got an electric car, which more and more of us will have in the future.
Likewise, electric heating will be more common.
All of that will save you money.
I believe the energy companies have to try and get you to have one, hence they try and force them on you.
cml24 said:
I believe the energy companies have to try and get you to have one, hence they try and force them on you.
The energy companies have to do so many per year or get fined. SSE got fined a few years back for not meeting their obligation. Anyway, no reason not to have one at all. FWIW the supplier cannot turn you off unless you've not paid the bill - same as with an old meter. They certainly cannot switch you off "because the price of electric is too high" or whatever other nonsense you hear. Whatever rights the supplier had with an old meter are the same rights they have with a new meter.
LocoBlade said:
A cheaper tariff for starters 
If you can see what you're using when, it seems pretty logical that you could use that information to adjust your usage or identify inefficient appliances etc and save a bit on the bills.
It’s utterly daft though. When you turn something electric on, it costs you money. The hotter and/or noisier it gets, the more money it costs. Are there really sufficient morons in the country who don’t realist that turning the oven on costs money?If you can see what you're using when, it seems pretty logical that you could use that information to adjust your usage or identify inefficient appliances etc and save a bit on the bills.
rxe said:
It’s utterly daft though.
No it's really not, but thanks for seizing the opportunity to call me a moron. For some household members especially those that don't actually pay the bill like kids etc, a visual indicator showing the amount of energy the house is using that day can be quite a useful reminder to be a bit more vigilant at turning lights/TVs/computers etc off when not in use or perhaps to not spend 15 minutes in the shower every day when you could be finished in half that.
Granted in normal circumstances we're not talking big savings so I can understand those who can't be bothered, but if you're interested in keeping bills and energy consumption to a minimum they can be useful.
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