Smart Meters
#1
Posted 23 November 2017 - 06:36 PM
Q Do they cost me money to run them?
A Yes a little as they run on your electricity ( my friend tells me about £10/year)
Q Do they save me money?
A Yes
Q How?
A You only pay for what you use
Q Is that not how normal meters work?
A Yes
Q Do they use telephone mobile signal?
A Yes
Q What if your coverage is poor?
A They go into dumb mode and you have to take your own readings
Q Can they be hacked?
A The risk is small
Q So they can then?
A Yes I suppose so
Q Is there an increase in tariff to pay for these meters?
A No (friend tells me your tariff will increase by 1%)
Q Will my tariff change according to my usage at peak usage?
A The facility to do so is there (friend says it does)
Q Are they compulsory?
A No but they will be in 2020? (friend says this is a total myth as it is 2020 when the issue is to be debated in parliament and has to be passed into law before they become
compulsory
Q Can I switch suppliers?
A Yes but you will need a new smart meter
Q Is there a cost to doing this?
A Yes a one off payment each time you switch
Q Does my meters really need changing?
A Our records say yes
Q Then can I please have non smart meters fitted?
A Yes of course you can
You take your pick
SAVE A LIFE
#2
Posted 23 November 2017 - 06:46 PM
fishini, on 23 November 2017 - 06:36 PM, said:
Q Do they cost me money to run them?
A Yes a little as they run on your electricity ( my friend tells me about £10/year)
Q Do they save me money?
A Yes
Q How?
A You only pay for what you use
Q Is that not how normal meters work?
A Yes
Q Do they use telephone mobile signal?
A Yes
Q What if your coverage is poor?
A They go into dumb mode and you have to take your own readings
Q Can they be hacked?
A The risk is small
Q So they can then?
A Yes I suppose so
Q Is there an increase in tariff to pay for these meters?
A No (friend tells me your tariff will increase by 1%)
Q Will my tariff change according to my usage at peak usage?
A The facility to do so is there (friend says it does)
Q Are they compulsory?
A No but they will be in 2020? (friend says this is a total myth as it is 2020 when the issue is to be debated in parliament and has to be passed into law before they become
compulsory
Q Can I switch suppliers?
A Yes but you will need a new smart meter
Q Is there a cost to doing this?
A Yes a one off payment each time you switch
Q Does my meters really need changing?
A Our records say yes
Q Then can I please have non smart meters fitted?
A Yes of course you can
You take your pick
They cost 80p a year in electric to run not £10. There are no negatives about them you simply see in live monetary terms how much fuel are using
#3
Posted 23 November 2017 - 06:56 PM
I must admit though I didn't realise if I switched supplier I'd have to change the smart meter as well, is that the meter or just the monitor?
Finally my mum and dad had an appointment but the bloke said he couldn't fit it due to a poor signal, which was strange because they have no problems with their mobiles!
#4
Posted 23 November 2017 - 07:26 PM
#5
Posted 23 November 2017 - 07:29 PM
Mr Mercury, on 23 November 2017 - 06:56 PM, said:
I must admit though I didn't realise if I switched supplier I'd have to change the smart meter as well, is that the meter or just the monitor?
Finally my mum and dad had an appointment but the bloke said he couldn't fit it due to a poor signal, which was strange because they have no problems with their mobiles!
I know someone a couple of streets away from me that had that issue, they were told that they run on ee which has a really rubbish reception in Carr vale.
#6
Posted 23 November 2017 - 07:32 PM
valemadness, on 23 November 2017 - 07:26 PM, said:
I agree it seems to me the meters are identical whatever supplier you have, even if you do have to swap as they are free there's no loss
#7
Posted 23 November 2017 - 07:51 PM
So I will not be having one. I can't comment personally on them but I do take the word of my good friend who actually works for EON over the 'facts' posted by the suppliers. Him refusing to have one says it all for me. Fact some suppliers charge for switching. As for slight increases on tariffs this is also fact. Would you really notice a 1% increase in your tariff? Who do you think is covering the £11 billion cost of the scheme? The suppliers? The government? Or the consumers? Go on take a guess.
SAVE A LIFE
#9
Posted 24 November 2017 - 10:46 AM
#10
Posted 24 November 2017 - 10:59 AM
Johnnyspireite7, on 24 November 2017 - 10:46 AM, said:
We had BG come out when we got the keys to our house in April. They couldn't fit smart meters as there wasnt enough space in our electric box. We are now on the waiting list for when they release smaller equipment. Was a bit miffed as at the time BG offered a tariff with free electricity on either Saturday or Sunday between certain times which would have been great for us.
The smart meters we had in our last house were pretty useful to be honest. Highlighted, particularly to the wife, what used a lot of electric. I would say that awareness lowered our usage slightly.
We have Hive installed now. I would recommend replacing an older thermostat with the Hive or similar system. Very useful.
#11
Posted 24 November 2017 - 12:06 PM
#12
Posted 25 November 2017 - 01:36 PM
What 'Fishini's' EON mate's told him is largely accurate.
Smart meters are a gimmick. If you want a cup of tea, you have one. If you're cold you put the heating on. If you're mucky you have a shower...
..FU**ING GET IN THERE!!!!!
>Ahem<
Sorry, but Rowley's just given us the lead against the Scabs.
Anyway, where was I.
Ah yes, the point is it makes no difference if you can see the pennies you spend 'cos you're gonna spend most of 'em anyroad. Then whilst it's true there's no upfront cost the Government ain't gonna pay for 'em, the big energy firms ain't gonna pay for 'em, so who d'y'think's gonna pay for 'em in the long run?
Yeah, that's right.
It's also true that many areas haven't got the necessary signal coverage. Just as it's true some company's software systems aren't compatible with others. On the other hand it's not necessarily true you'll need new meters every time you switch providers.
There's no statutory time limit on a meter. I encounter ones decades old yet still doing their job properly on a daily basis. Most importantly there's absolutely no law saying you have to change.
Bo**ocks. They've equalised.
Look; a conventional gas meter is basically a flow-wheel connected to a counter. That's it. Not much can go wrong. But as soon as you start complicating things there's more that might go wrong. Then add microwave emitters, computer programmes and the inevitable hacking (in America crooks are monitoring usage to see when customers are out, for example) and it all starts to get complicated. Don't forget the human factor, either. Most problems with metering stem from folk inputting the wrong numbers. Then once they're on record they're reluctant to admit being wrong.
Bottom line is customers will be no better off but the companies will put thousands of readers out of work.
This post has been edited by MDCCCLXVI: 25 November 2017 - 01:40 PM
#13
Posted 25 November 2017 - 10:31 PM
My most recent supplier rang last week to try to get me to install their own smart meter but I asked about the concerns I had read about the strength of the microwave signal and the risk to my family . They ended the conversation so quickly that I wondered if they were on commission and needed to try and get the next person signed up instead .
My main concern is the signals this thing emits- is it safe ?
#14
Posted 25 November 2017 - 10:49 PM
#15
Posted 26 November 2017 - 06:17 AM
JonB, on 25 November 2017 - 10:49 PM, said:
My friend says they emit signal fars stronger than normal mobile or wi fi signals and it's constantly emitting 24 hours a day 365 days a year
SAVE A LIFE
#16
Posted 27 November 2017 - 03:41 PM
Also, it won't be 24/7 sending data. it'll send data in small bursts every so often, so a couple of seconds say once per hour would be more than enough.
#17
Posted 27 November 2017 - 04:50 PM
#18
Posted 27 November 2017 - 07:21 PM
Denny, on 27 November 2017 - 03:41 PM, said:
Also, it won't be 24/7 sending data. it'll send data in small bursts every so often, so a couple of seconds say once per hour would be more than enough.
Only going on what my friend who works for EON and fits these devices says. I am more inclined to believe him than information gifted by the suppliers and energy companies. Whats-more this is not my biggest concern. I cannot see what I would get out of these devices. I will still use the amount of energy that I need to no more no less. The only people to benefit are the energy companies. I will not be party to contributing to their massive profit margins anymore than I need to. How many meter readers will lose their jobs? There are no benefits to the consumers. I will not be having one. I think Germany has scrapped their scheme on costs grounds alone
SAVE A LIFE
#19
Posted 27 November 2017 - 08:53 PM
#20
Posted 27 November 2017 - 09:59 PM
fishini, on 27 November 2017 - 07:21 PM, said:
Surely without meter readers the costs come down, IF the savings are passed onto customers you will benefit