Smart Meter Rollout

[mandimoo]

aside from phoning each energy supply company one by one, is there any way of checking who might be currently rolling out smart meters in your area?

[fbg40]

Hi mandimoo
Just thought I'd let you know that I was asked by EON (my gas and electric supplier) if I would be interested in a Smart Meter some months ago. I said yes and promptly filled in the online application - EON replied saying that they not "rolling out" the smart meter in the near future !!
FBG40

[bookbinder]

I've just googled 'are smart meters available in my area', and got loads of sites to look at. You might find some of them interesting.

[Postdog]

No help I know, but I have one and it's great. Not only do I need do nothing other than pay it when asked, it is great knowing what to put aside each week to pay it.

[Old_Geezer]

Eon sent me letters about a "smart" meter. Having the sense not to want one I ignored them. Hopefully they've given up.

[hc4361]

Why don't you want one, OG?

[Postdog]

So are you implying I lack sense in wanting to take control of my expenses?

[Old_Geezer]

Because it has no value to me, gives easier control to the supplier, and likely as not will prove hackable by malcontents causing problems for all. As such it is an unnecessary expense that will simply be passed on to the consumer hidden in higher bills/earlier price increases. Basically a con job whereby the consumer pays for the added control the supplier wishes to impose, and via a more complex meter that inevitably means it's more likely to go wrong.

[Old_Geezer]

As if it'll have any effect in controlling your expenses ! It'll be a five day wonder for most and a continual obsession for a few OCD individuals.

[Togo]

I will not sign up for a 'Smart **** Meter or an electronic leg tag. See all previous posts ref. said in home monitors before any further questions.

[Togo]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Business-and-Finance/Personal-Finance/Question1457281.html

There's one thread.

[Postdog]

Didn't know you had a choice in signing for a leg tag! As for giving them control, what rubbish . It tells them what you owe, nothing more - you still have to pay. Far better knowing what you are spending than letting them have access to your account with a DD.

[Togo]

// It tells them what you owe, nothing more //?

I tell them what I owe, online. That is all they need to know. I refuse to be profiled by the utility bullies, or let them know when I am home or not. Too much information is gathered and shared with who knows who. I am glad you like yours. I like not having one, if that is OK with you.

[hc4361]

You'll have no choice soon enough, Togo. They will be compulsory.

[hc4361]

Postdog, you are paying more for your energy if you don't pay by DD.

Millions of households pay by DD without any problem at all.

[Togo]

That hc must beggar the question. Why are the 'power' companies so keen?

[woofgang]

because it will save them paying folk to go from door to door reading meters.

[hc4361]

It's not the power companies, it's the government. At the moment it's not compulsory but the aim is to have it in every home by 2020.

The thinking is that if you can actually see a meter in your living room tallying the useage in real time and real money - pounds and pence - you will be more inclined to switch appliances off and use less energy.

[hc4361]

https://www.smartenergygb.org/en/the-bigger-picture/about-the-rollout

I don't see how the energy company could tell if the house is empty unless you don't have a fridge, freezer, some sort of tv recorder, don't use timers on appliances.
The meter reader knows I'm not in if I don't answer the door.

[Togo]

//because it will save them paying folk to go from door to door reading meters. //

A guy from my 'local' inherited one when he moved into his home a couple of years ago. He still gets contracted meter readers who insist that the smart meter has to be visually inspected to ensure that it is safe and has not been 'tampered' with.

[Togo]

The meters will record and communicate with a lot current appliances, which have for some time had chips embedded in them under EU directives, and build a profile of the times of day and pattern of usage of washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, televisions, microwaves, electric cookers and hobs etc etc. Someone will be able to deduce that you are not home when the pattern is broken by non usage. The meters are not even as secure as your router, and are enabled to be scanned remotely.