RootsChat.Com
General => Technical Help => Topic started by: Gadget on Saturday 15 October 16 10:56 BST (UK)
-
Yet again, I've been offered free installation of smart meters for my gas and electricity.
Have any of you got these and is it worth it?
Gadget
-
Depends what you mean by worth it.
Smart meters can be read every half hour which can be good.
We have one in our house in Scotland that is worthmany times its weight in gold as we don't have to arrange to be their for the meter reader, it sends the reading by internet when required.
It also means we can check it when we want.
In our main house we often just check to see what our consumption has been over the last week or month. Again we don't have to be in for meter readers but they do still call once or twice a year just to check everything is ok seals etc.
We would not be without one but if we had not got used to having them we would not miss them
Cheers
Guy
-
I very rarely get sent an electricity bill these days.
Do they connect the Smart meter to your land line?
-
Hello
I already had one fitted when I moved into my new house.
It connected to the energy company ,British gas ,for the few weeks i was with them and then when I moved to another company to save money ,it stopped.
Apparently you can't transfer them between companies.
I didn't have internet or land line so I don't know how it sent the readings to BG but I do know that it's now really tricky to read.You have to keep your finger on the button(s) until you get the final reading.
There's also the possibility that they will charge you more at popular times.
What they aren't saying is that they are primarily about decreasing electricity demand at peak times to ensure energy supply to the UK.
I find I'm about £20 a year worse off with these .And as I said the meter readings are a real nightmare.
It depends whether you are going to change your energy usage.Other wise save yourself the bother.
British gas are offering a few hours free electricity at the weekend.It's not from the goodness of their heart ,is it?
Ciderdrinker
-
I have got night storage electric heaters and am on Economy seven meter.
The price per unit is lower at night but higher during the day.
I do not have a gas supply
-
Can't get them .... not a strong enough mobile signal for them to "phone home" with the data
-
Can't get them .... not a strong enough mobile signal for them to "phone home" with the data
Yes I was the same no signal was really disappointed :( was looking forward to having a new smart meter ...
Rosie
-
I very rarely get sent an electricity bill these days.
Do they connect the Smart meter to your land line?
No it uses a Zigbee network which is similar to GPRS.
There are a number of different Smart Meters, we use British Gas meters which are compatible with Scottish power and of course Sainsbury's (which use British Gas as their supplier in much the same way as many independant internet companies use BT as their network supplier).
You can use smart meters with storage heaters but you must be careful with the storage heater settings to only use the input when on cheap rate (i.e. night time).
If used carefully smart meters can save money but such savings are really common sense (turning heating down by one degree, not boiling a full kettle for one cup of coffee, etc.)
In the future when different daytime rates become the norm, then running washing machines and dishwashers etc at low rate times will reduce power costs.
Cheers
Guy
-
At the moment they are not compulsory, we have refused to have a smart meter fitted and that is fine. We objected to being told that we were to have a meter fitted and an appointment made to fit it out of the blue. We wanted more information and time to consider the pros and cons.
We are both becoming more curmudgenly in our old age!
Cathy
-
A friend of mine had one fitted a couple of years ago to avoid the need for regular visits to read the meter. Unfortunately the energy company insisted on reading it every quarter for over a year after it was fitted to ensure it was "working properly". ::)
I gather there is an ongoing issue with some smart meters working only with the systems of the company that fitted them, so if you moved supplier you could have to have it changed again. I think this is one of the reasons they aren't currently compulsory yet.
-
I have read a lot of information on the internet about the pros and cons (mostly cons there) and also being curmudgeonly and suspicious, I shall hold out as long as possible. As Guy says, it is common sense mostly, and I don't waste gas or electricity now. It also seems to be costing a lot to install them, which we will end up paying.
-
Surely it was a mistake to privatise the electricity boards?
-
Thank you all for replies. We've been out saving on electricity and gas :)
I've held out as I was told it would take a day to install and they left a mess. At the moment we send in our readings once a quarter and then they DD the bill. I can check up the quarterly usage online at any time the moment.
The main pro is that our current meters are situated in places that make it difficult to read - one very close to the ceiling in the kitchen (13 ft high) and one very close to the floor in the downstairs loo. So I have to get on my knees with a torch for one and climb on a tall step ladder for the other. It's Ok at the moment (early 70s) but in another 10 years or so, it might be more difficult.
Apparently, the 2020 compulsory date is now more variable.
-
I've held out as I was told it would take a day to install and they left a mess.
Mine certainly didn't take that long - about an hour at the most. They just removed the old meter from the cupboard and put in the new one, then plugged in the little box in the kitchen. No mess at all. The only time they come to read my meter now is when they do the annual boiler check. I don't take much notice of the box in the kitchen which shows how much electricity I'm using, it rarely goes above orange unless I have things like the oven, washing machine, microwave and kettle all on at once. I can see it might be useful though in a house full of teenagers!
-
Wondering if they are a bit of a smoke and mirrors trick on the part of the government, to disguise the fact that energy costs are far too high?
A shameful number of households and an even more depressing number of children live in what is considered officially to be "fuel poverty".
Surely a basic amount of heating and lighting should be supplied at an affordable cost to all households. Thereafter a higher charge should be made for additional usage.
-
My electricity supplier Scottish Power sends me an e mail asking me to read my own meter and either email or phone them with the meter reading. Why is it such a problem for people allowing access for the meter reader. Some meters are in a box outside the house or flat.
-
Here in New Zealand, our power companies have been fitting smart meters. Our meter is on the wall of our neighbour's garage, so when we were offered the meter, we contacted our neighbour. The neighbour's son, who was staying with her, objected strongly to fitting one, and sent me email links showing what evil things they were.
A few weeks later, the son, who was painting the house, removed the door of the meter box, to paint it. We could then see that his mother's meter was a smartmeter!
-
Why is it such a problem for people allowing access for the meter reader. Some meters are in a box outside the house or flat.
A lot are inside houses though, and if people are working it must be very difficult for a meter reader to gain access. I know when I was at work I was always getting a card through the door saying they had called. I believe that after so many self submitted readings they have to be read by a supplier just in case you are not reading it properly.
-
If you are on Economy Seven and the clock which controls the change-over stops and breaks while it is on the night time setting, you may then find all your electric consumption is at the LOW rate. How long would it take for them to discover that?
-
The main pro is that our current meters are situated in places that make it difficult to read - one very close to the ceiling in the kitchen (13 ft high) and one very close to the floor in the downstairs loo. So I have to get on my knees with a torch for one and climb on a tall step ladder for the other. It's Ok at the moment (early 70s) but in another 10 years or so, it might be more difficult.
My dad recently moved into a house where the meter was awkward for him to reach (he's 84) and to our amazement the energy company came and moved it to an outside wall completely free of charge - all he had to pay for was the metal housing unit, which from memory was around £20.
-
There seems to be some confusion over what a Smart Meter does.
It sends your meter readings to Energy HQ. That's all.
You may also get a gizmo - a "smart energy monitor" - which shows how much power you are using at any time, or what you have used on any given day. You don't actually have to have it plugged in if you don't want to. It's perhaps mildly interesting for a few days but not for long. Unless you want to be interested in it. :)
-
There seems to be some confusion over what a Smart Meter does.
It sends your meter readings to Energy HQ. That's all.
I thought that most answers so far seemed to understand what they did ???
-
Our experience has been very positive especially in the last few weeks. About 18 months ago we had a smart meter fitted by Eon our electricity supplier. We were offered the choice. It's situated on an outside wall and the reader came once to check the first reading after installation. By the way fitting took about an hour with no mess.
The fitter left me with brief instructions on how to use the monitor which I then immediately forgot so we put it away & forgot about it.
3 weeks ago they sent us a replacement monitor as apparently there had been problems with them, this time OH set it up. The first couple of weeks we were using between 80p & £1.20 a day. Suddenly last Sunday we had used £2 by 9.30am. This continued for 3 days (on the third day we used well over £3 worth). After checking all appliances, OH turned down the thermostat on the immersion heater (from maximum!) & since then we've used less than £1 every day.
So we probably have a dodgy thermostat - keeping a close eye on it. Without the smart meter monitor our bill for this quarter would have been astronomical.
It's certainly proved itself to us.
Pat
-
In our Sunday paper today, there was an article about Smart Meters which are installed by the electricity company you use. Apparently, the meters are not compatible with every electricity company, making it very difficult to change your supplier. The government is trying to get people to change their electricity and/or gas supplier regularly so that you always get the best deal, but having a smart meter goes against this advice.
-
In our Sunday paper today, there was an article about Smart Meters which are installed by the electricity company you use. Apparently, the meters are not compatible with every electricity company, making it very difficult to change your supplier. The government is trying to get people to change their electricity and/or gas supplier regularly so that you always get the best deal, but having a smart meter goes against this advice.
Not really a smart meter can still be read in the normal fashion by a customer or meter reader so they do not prevent switching.
If your new supplier uses smart meters but their system is not compatible with the meter you have installed they will readily change the meter to their type of smart meter if required.
Cheers
Guy
-
There seems to be some confusion over what a Smart Meter does.
It sends your meter readings to Energy HQ. That's all.
How frequently does it send your meter reading?
-
How frequently does it send your meter reading?
Every half hour though it can be set for longer intervals
Cheers
Guy
-
Why is it such a problem for people allowing access for the meter reader. Some meters are in a box outside the house or flat.
A lot are inside houses though, and if people are working it must be very difficult for a meter reader to gain access. I know when I was at work I was always getting a card through the door saying they had called. I believe that after so many self submitted readings they have to be read by a supplier just in case you are not reading it properly.
We keep getting cards asking for our meter reading although we read ours regularly and post them on our on-line account. However, when I rang Eon to ask why they had put a card through the door when the reader probably leant on the meter box to write out the card, they couldn't answer me ;D
Rishile
-
Sorry to trouble you with this, but I am getting unnerved.
Last Friday afternoon, a man was supposed to visit to install a smart meter. He failed to show. No phone call, they must all carry mobiles. In the morning a man called to check on access. Fine, reassured him. In the afternoon, a woman from Scottish Power rang to ask me to make an appointment. I told her a man was booked to come between 12 and 4.
I rang Scottish Power this morning. Woman said no-show was nothing to do with them (TYPICAL). Re-booked for 22nd November, same time frame. Then she asked was it both gas and electric. I said yes and she said two men then, and two meters presumably.
What's it all about please?
-
Yes an electrician and a gas fitter.
Cheers
Guy
-
Thank you Guy.
-
I've never heard any consumer say anything good about having a smart metre. I would definitely not have one. There are many reports that it is very difficult to change suppliers once you have them. There are extensive reports on the internet and the only people that recommend them are the energy suppliers.
Martin
-
Thank you Martin, the whole idea makes my stomach churn. I have no need, SP website has facility for putting in numbers any time and produces draft bill, you don't have to send it. The man who reads the meter is of the same opinion as you. Keeping warm is more important to me and I have the money.
I will try and knock it on the head.
Thank you very much, Martin.
Roger
-
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01mxh/
I actually think that once the newer version (2) of the smart meters with the updated software comes out, the government will make them compulsory, probably by 2025 to 2030.
Malky
-
Tee Hee Malky,
I'll be long gone by 2025, so not bothered.
-
Well I like my Smart meter....
1. I get a little display box that shows my gas & electric consumption, and I use that to take action on reductions that save energy and saves me real money.
2. For instance, is it better to keep the immersion heater on all the time, or use a switch ? - I now have a definite answer to that (for my usage). Did I forget and leave that heater on in the porch ? It tells me instantly.
3. I no longer get the meter readers calling, having to open up my cupboards and plan for annual compulsory readings.
I'm struggling to see any downside......
-
How about a 'dumb 'smart meter?
Had one installed 11months ago, initially reading available on website after logging in.
Readings on smart unit shows current power usage, resets at the end of each month.
Current usage is less than my direct debit usage with a current over payment equal to 2months.
Trying to reduce my direct debit to allow for a refund?
Brian
-
The whole idea is to increase their cashflow, no chance.
-
To save money, with a smart meter, you have to switch something off.
So cold food, or no central heating, or reading in the dark, or no internet!
Do the suppliers think that we switch on all our appliances just for fun? Just because we like to pay over the odds all the time?
In all fairness to all, something might be left on - but no more than a few hours. Every time I leave the house, or at the end of the day, before bed, I do the tour round the house and switching off or checking as necessary. I don't require some gadget to tell me that.
Regards,
Chas
-
I've never heard any consumer say anything good about having a smart metre. I would definitely not have one. There are many reports that it is very difficult to change suppliers once you have them. There are extensive reports on the internet and the only people that recommend them are the energy suppliers.
Martin
I take it you have not read my reply at the start of this thread (reply number 2 I think).
I am very much in favour of smart meters.
They have saved me well over £400 a year for the last 4 or 5 years. They have enabled me to change my direct debit at will.
They have enabled me to get refunds at will when I have been overcharged.
In short I now have the power over what I spend on gas & electricity rather than being at the whim of the power company and spending a fortune hanging on the telephone trying to get someone in authority to sort out any problems I may have.
To save money, with a smart meter, you have to switch something off.
Sorry but that is not correct, you can save money by simply turning the central heating down a couple of degrees and not notice the difference.
A longer term saving comes with changing light bulbs to LED light bulbs I have changed all the light bulbs in my Yorkshire house and now I could leave every light on in the house for the same price as it used to cost me to run my 3 living room lights. The downside of changing to LEDS is of course the higher cost of the bulb but even that will be saved over the life of the bulbs.
Cheers
Guy
-
My husband asked the energy supplier about ways to save money without having a smart meter, he was told to switch off the microwave at the wall as the clock costs £32 per year to run!! I can't see how as I do understand wattage and consumption. Does leaving things on standby really make a difference? (I don't usually.)
-
I've just been searching and it's more like £3 per year, why would they tell him such rubbish?!
-
I've just re-read this thread and as far as I can see the people who are negative about smart meters are those who don't have them. I've now had mine for quite a few years, no problems and no having to submit readings as the meter reader called when I'm out.
If you want to change supplier there is no problem, but you may find your smart meter loses its functionality and reverts to being a traditional meter and you might have to go back to giving regular meter readings to your new supplier.
-
The main pro is that our current meters are situated in places that make it difficult to read - one very close to the ceiling in the kitchen (13 ft high) and one very close to the floor in the downstairs loo. So I have to get on my knees with a torch for one and climb on a tall step ladder for the other. It's Ok at the moment (early 70s) but in another 10 years or so, it might be more difficult.
My dad recently moved into a house where the meter was awkward for him to reach (he's 84) and to our amazement the energy company came and moved it to an outside wall completely free of charge - all he had to pay for was the metal housing unit, which from memory was around £20.
[/quote
Gadget, a close neighbour has recently had their meter moved from ceiling height in the front porch to an outside position in a cabinet at the rear of the property, there was no charge. I dont know which company they are with but it would seem worth while applying, you may be in luck.
-
I take it you have not read my reply at the start of this thread (reply number 2 I think).
I am very much in favour of smart meters.
Actually you were a bit ambivalent:
We would not be without one but if we had not got used to having them we would not miss them
And many of the advantages you describe don't apply to those of us who only have one property.
To save money, with a smart meter, you have to switch something off.
Sorry but that is not correct, you can save money by simply turning the central heating down a couple of degrees and not notice the difference.
If I did that every time someone suggested it, the temperature in my home would now be close to freezing. There's only so many times you can drop it by a couple of degrees, and I'm told that as you get older you tend to need it a bit warmer anyway.
I've just re-read this thread and as far as I can see the people who are negative about smart meters are those who don't have them.
That may be because we can see the flaws in the original scheme and refuse to collude with something so inherently wasteful:
If you want to change supplier there is no problem, but you may find your smart meter loses its functionality and reverts to being a traditional meter and you might have to go back to giving regular meter readings to your new supplier.
In other words there is a problem. If you change supplier and want to get the smart functionality back you have to get another new meter. What resources does it take to manufacture and fit the new one, and who pays for it, if not ultimately the consumer/taxpayer? And what happens to the old one - landfill?
It seems to me that the scheme as originally set up was devised in such as way as to dissuade customers from changing supplier, and I have no intention of supporting it until a proper scheme is in place which allows the customer to take full advantage of a competitive market without the current drawbacks.
-
We've got one. Had it a couple of months. No problems. Interesting to see the usage of gas and electricity.
-
Thank you very much for all your input. I will go ahead with installation, although as explained previously no need for them. Anyway keeping warm is only priority.
This morning I received a cheque for £30 for no show of men. A phone call explaining why would have been quite adequate.
-
As I understand it, if you have a Smart Meter fitted now, it makes life difficult if you want to change suppliers as all suppliers' Smart Meters are different. The first generation of smart meters, called SMETS 1 – which are the one ones that almost everybody has installed - is not a standardised system.
So,if you switch from one provider to the other, the new provider doesn’t have that connection any more, the signal is lost, your meter won't work as a Smart Meter and you’ll have to give manual meter readings once more.
SMETS 2 which are standardised were supposed to be rolled out this year, but not every energy supplier is fitting these.
So the most important thing to ask your supplier is whether the meter they intend to supply is SMET 1 (some suppliers are still fitting these) or SMET 2.
-
Useful info from everyone - thanks. I've just had a letter from my supplier saying they want to fit a smart meter and I have been in two minds about it. Reading Lizzie's post above, I'll contact them and ask if it will be a SMET2. I have heard elsewhere that first generation ones are a problem and to go for second.
Regards
GS
-
I recently had a letter from my electricity supplier asking me to confirm my smart meter appointment.(ie an appointment to have my smart meter fitted). I thought this this was strange as I had not requested such an appointment. Before I could ring them I had a call from the company in question. I pointed out that I was not impressed by the letter I had received as it was effectively a fait accompli. Their rep manfully tried to claim it was an offer to have a smart meter installed. I have cancelled the appointment as to my mind the company has gone about it in completely the wrong way.
William