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Technology0 min ago
Smart Meters
Another attempt to con the longsuffering British public! Surely very few people really thought that smart meters were intended to save money, even for those enthusiasts prepared to waste their lives staring at meters. Saving power companies from having to read meters might be one reason for their installation. A more likely explanation is giving suppliers the ability to cut off domestic supplies when our insane dependence on renewables creates outages when there is no wind or sun. Do not agree to have a meter installed - but be prepared to be penalised by power suppliers for not having one. Meanwhile, look forward to eating cold baked beans out of the tin in the dark with no heat when power outages become our way of life!
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I have smart meters - it saves *me* having to grovel around and read them myself every month (most companies insist that you do this now).
I've already demonstrated to my own satisfaction that a simple Faraday Cage will instantly turn it back into a dumb meter should I ever feel the need to do so.
So - basically it's OK - just wear your tinfoil hat & you'll be fine.
I've already demonstrated to my own satisfaction that a simple Faraday Cage will instantly turn it back into a dumb meter should I ever feel the need to do so.
So - basically it's OK - just wear your tinfoil hat & you'll be fine.
I think you are overthinking it. They just rushed into it without thinking it through. The idea is good although they overstated the finnacial benefits to consumers- but in the rush to meet unrealistic government deadlines suppliers are getting us to introduce meters even though they know the meters will soon be redundant and have to be replaced by thenew generation ones. It would have been better to wait until the technology was available to allow the smart meters to be used by different suppliers when people change supplier.
I'm looking forward to getting one but I'd prefer to wait until the new generation ones are ready
I'm looking forward to getting one but I'd prefer to wait until the new generation ones are ready
As posted several times before: we have one and it saves sending meter readings. As well as allowing monitoring of usage. And we’re still alive. If the first thing about them is that they save you less money then predicted I can’t get too worked up about that. The best way to save energy is to use less of it ...
>I strongly suspect the move will be towards higher pricing during peak periods.
I'm not sure what would be wrong with that as an idea. In fact we already have it- it's called Economy 7 for cheaper off peak electricity. As long as there is transparency and the ability to switch providers ina competitive market, I wouldn't be worried about it
I'm not sure what would be wrong with that as an idea. In fact we already have it- it's called Economy 7 for cheaper off peak electricity. As long as there is transparency and the ability to switch providers ina competitive market, I wouldn't be worried about it
Wouldn't have one if they paid me. Particularly in current(pun intended) form. Always but always be wary of the promise that it is for your own benefit. Just like the new exciting data protection laws were going to " protect" you and turn out in reality to protect the big businesses and providers instead, but make life crappier for the ordinary Joe. Same with "smart meters". Not for your benefit at all. Just another monitor on you and a way for the suppliers and the Government to be in control of what you use and when. The suppliers would love a way of turning off individual accounts one by one in a controlled way. At the moment switching off whole grid supplies is fraught with problems, not least when switching back on and causing hugely damaging surge conditions. They would love the means to do a controlled switch off and gentle switch on routine and smart meters will facilitate this. They have jeopardised the supply with the renewable energy dream (again thought up by the interfering do gooders and noodle knitters) and now face the prospect of not being able to guarantee supplies. Smart Meters are a smart answer, not for the consumer but the supplier. 2 tier high rate charges at peak times are on the horizon if you have one. That is ok if you want to run your Washing Machine, Dishwasher, Vacuum Cleaner, Microwave, etc. etc. in the dead of night and just wait until electric cars proliferate. There will be even less capacity to eke out.
Sheesh - does no-one actually understand what I posted?
Take the advantages (accurate readings and no grovelling around to take them) and then (at the first sign of anything happening which is to your disadvantage) just disable the smart element - it's so easy to do (and completely legal, as you don't even have to touch the meter) that it's laughable.
Take the advantages (accurate readings and no grovelling around to take them) and then (at the first sign of anything happening which is to your disadvantage) just disable the smart element - it's so easy to do (and completely legal, as you don't even have to touch the meter) that it's laughable.
"A more likely explanation is giving suppliers the ability to cut off domestic supplies when our insane dependence on renewables creates outages when there is no wind or sun" - what? how do meters make any difference to that? You may have a point about the renewables but power cuts are generally done in areas not individually. I also don't see your gripe, how does the measuring system effect the price? The meters give a lot of usage information and save hassle with reading etc. pricing concerns are nothing to do with that.
"I'm not sure what would be wrong with that as an idea."
Nothing at all. Charge you more to put a light on when it's dark than when it's daylight and more to heat your home in the winter than in the summer. Great idea.
The idea that smart meters would save the country energy is ridiculous. Even if the original claim (since discredited) was true the savings of £26 on an average bill of around £900 represents less than a 3% saving. The most recent estimate of £11 (likely to be discredited a little further down the line) saves a little over 1%. These miniscule savings, should they ever be realised, will simply be lost in the noise of the inevitable price rises which will be necessary because (a) successive governments have failed to implement a robust energy policy which does not rely on the sun shining, the wind blowing or foreigners kindly selling us their wares at vastly inflated prices and (b) the smart meters themselves must be paid for.
The second "advantage" that they prevent estimated bills being presented is also weak. I have not had an estimated bill for, perhaps, twenty-five years. I take readings monthly (for my own information only) and my current supplier requires readings just twice a year. This takes me about two minutes online. If I had no internet connection it would take a similar amount of time via an 0800 phone number.
The energy companies have signed up to a target which they had no realistic chance of meeting and now face fines (which will add to everybody's energy bills should they be imposed). They firstly relied on telling people lies by saying the devices were compulsory and now that has been exposed are panicking. I don't actually care what type of meter I have so long as I can read my total consumption myself when I want to. A smart meter will not alter my usage one jot. But I don't like being told lies and taken for an idiot.
Nothing at all. Charge you more to put a light on when it's dark than when it's daylight and more to heat your home in the winter than in the summer. Great idea.
The idea that smart meters would save the country energy is ridiculous. Even if the original claim (since discredited) was true the savings of £26 on an average bill of around £900 represents less than a 3% saving. The most recent estimate of £11 (likely to be discredited a little further down the line) saves a little over 1%. These miniscule savings, should they ever be realised, will simply be lost in the noise of the inevitable price rises which will be necessary because (a) successive governments have failed to implement a robust energy policy which does not rely on the sun shining, the wind blowing or foreigners kindly selling us their wares at vastly inflated prices and (b) the smart meters themselves must be paid for.
The second "advantage" that they prevent estimated bills being presented is also weak. I have not had an estimated bill for, perhaps, twenty-five years. I take readings monthly (for my own information only) and my current supplier requires readings just twice a year. This takes me about two minutes online. If I had no internet connection it would take a similar amount of time via an 0800 phone number.
The energy companies have signed up to a target which they had no realistic chance of meeting and now face fines (which will add to everybody's energy bills should they be imposed). They firstly relied on telling people lies by saying the devices were compulsory and now that has been exposed are panicking. I don't actually care what type of meter I have so long as I can read my total consumption myself when I want to. A smart meter will not alter my usage one jot. But I don't like being told lies and taken for an idiot.
We've had a smart meter for years to no ill effect.
The most worrying thing is the number of consumers who have swallowed whole the guff from the companies and, to a degree, politicians when it comes to the claims and reasons.
btw I have a bridge for sale if anybody's interested, meet me in my office round the back of Lidl.
The most worrying thing is the number of consumers who have swallowed whole the guff from the companies and, to a degree, politicians when it comes to the claims and reasons.
btw I have a bridge for sale if anybody's interested, meet me in my office round the back of Lidl.
