Smart Meters

[gramps85]

I am being pestered by my Energy Company to have a smart meter installed, and for both gas and meters to be changed as they have, according to them, reached the end of their lives. 

I have no wish to have as smart meter installed, and they say that the new gas and electric meters incorporate smart meters.

Can I ask AB's if they have experienced such a ploy, and what are views on smart meters.

[Old_Geezer]

I ignore such letters. I don't trust the companies. But I've no idea what the legal situation is.

[chelle7272]

I am baffled as to why people are so against them.

Energy companies have to push them a s they have government targets to meet.

 

I find mine very useful and helps to make sure you are not being overcharged.

[Canary42]

I'm sure you're within your rights to insist on a dumb meter as replacement. Give it a try.

[chelle7272]

From Ofgem page

 

Do I have to have a smart meter?

Unless there is a good reason not to, suppliers must install a smart meter if they are:

replacing a meter

installing a meter for the first time, such as in a new property. 

You can choose not to accept an offer to have a smart meter fitted. You can also request to have one at a later date without being charged. Choosing not to have a smart meter might mean you have a limited choice of energy tariffs. Some smart tariffs could be cheaper.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/get-smart-meter#:~:text=You%20can%20choose%20not%20to,smart%20tariffs%20could%20be%20cheaper.

[albaqwerty]

I received an email from my energy company asking me to get a second smart meter.

We have a prepayment meter and an "ordinary" gas meter.

If they think a prepayment meter comes under the heading of a smart meter, I fail to understand them suggesting I get a smart meter when both meters were prepayment until recently.

Also doesn't give me much confidence in them knowing the difference.

[Old_Geezer]

"Some smart tariffs could be cheaper." Because the company is using that as a bribe, the same way that worked when they wanted access to your worldly wealth via direct debit.

 

Anyone not understanding the issues would probably benefit for searching for older threads here where plenty of reasons have been discussed.

[ToraToraTora]

I've had one for years it just saves getting the meter read that's all. No big deal, what's the problem?

[chelle7272]

Smart meters can be set to be either prepayment or credit, it is possible our prepamnet is alreadya  smart meter. 

 

They will know the difference as a smart meter sends them information regularly

[10ClarionSt]

I have a smart meter but it is set to operate only on manual readings. It can be switched over to smart function, but I have told E.on that I don't want that, so I just send the readings in each month. Just tell them you'll have a new meter, but you don't want it set to "Smart" function. That's what I did, and that's what I got! 😄

[ToraToraTora]

why would you not have it automated?

[chelle7272]

^^^Sounds like your best way forward gramps85

[Old_Geezer]

Wonder if control of switching that on and off is at the meter, or done remotely from their office whenever they want to.

[10ClarionSt]

there's been lots of bad publicity about smart meters recording wrong readings. Besides, I don't fancy allowing them to use my internet.

[chelle7272]

No it is set according to your contract. If it changed whenever they felt like it during your contract you could see the changes on your meters and it would mess up your tariiff / credit / usage / billing so it would become obvious. 

I have had both since mocing in to a place  which had old old pprepayments meters, which were replaced with new and then a week later changed to credit meters, and you could tell the difference.

 

[Togo]

Ask your enegy company to confirm your meter serial number and the manufacturers end of life certification.  

[chelle7272]

there's been lots of bad publicity about smart meters recording wrong readings. 

 

As far as I have heard it is the home displays that have been showing incorreect information  rather than the meters themselves.

I'm with Octopus and they have withdrawn the display provided by a third party and replacd with their own device due to such problems.

The best thing with smart meters is that you can monitor your own usage and manage your use and bills accordingly. If done regularly should also be able to spot any discrepancies early.

[Hazlinny]

A bit fed up with smart meter at the moment ...  previous one faulty and kept getting messages to say "can't communicate with your smart meter, take your reading and send it in".   New one fitted about three months ago and now same thing occurring - cannot communicate.  When I complain, am told Engineers are working on the problem!

[perseverer]

Smart meters do not use your internet.

[nicebloke1]

No you dont have to have a smart meter. They use the excuse that you meter is of end of use.

The goverment set energy suppliers a target to fit all homes with a SM by a certsin date, if yhey do not reach that target it appears they get fined.

They've tried twice in the last 4 years to get me to have one, using the same excuse. Don't want one.

Why is it that some dont want one? Because there are millions of people that have reported getting massive energy bills due to incorrect readings. When reporting these problems to their energy company, the energy companies have promised to come out and fix the problem or completely change the meter for another one, one that works, these people are still waiting, for months on end. Why are they waiting? Because the energy companies are only interested in fitting SM  to houses that dont have one so they can meet their targets. In other words  No repair or replace engineers available. If you already have a SM  and it works ok think yourself one of the lucky ones.

[-SharonA-]

I have one & have no problems with it. I was against getting one at first but realised  my concerns were baseless.