Advice On Whether To Use A Smart Meter

[wiltsman]

We've always been against having a Smart Meter fitted in the house, but recently with the escalating gas and electric prices, we're having second thoughts.
We're worried how accurate estimated readings will be in the future, especially if we're attempting to reduce our power usage. Also problems, such as the those when attempting to give meter readings before an energy price, like we had the other day.
Any thoughts please.

[jackthehat]

Smart meters and IHD are useful for those on a fixed income who need to keep a tight-eye on their finances and fuel usage. It enables a householder to identify the appliances with the highest 'draw' and allows them to limit the time for which these are used.

[Hymie]

I can confidently predict that some power companies will disconnect customers without obtaining a court order (whether deliberately or by mistake).

Just imagine the problems you will have convincing the power company to re-connect you when they have disconnected you in error (but believe they are justified in doing so).

[ladybirder]

It's being so cheerful that keeps you going Hymie isn't it?

[dannyk13]

Hymie //I can confidently predict that some power companies will disconnect customers without obtaining a court order //
Of course you can't, stop posting false news.

[Hymie]

The OP asked for advice on whether to have a smart-meter fitted; if they think that their supplier will never make a FU, that hackers will never take control, and they are happy to pay dynamic pricing – then maybe they should have one fitted.

Personally, I cannot think of a single benefit that would make such a thing worth having.

[dannyk13]

Hymie, your reasons for not having a smart meter are totally unfounded.

[Canary42]

/// you only post the part that suits your agenda ///

A bit like the Utilities, whose marketing folk only publish the part which suits their agenda.

[Hymie]

Besides confidently predicting that power companies will disconnect customers in error – I can also confidently predict that smart-meters will be used for dynamic pricing (whether the customer wants it or not), and that hackers will disable meters – holding the power company to ransom.

[dannyk13]

Hymie, what planet are you on?

[THECORBYLOON]

HYMIE, how many folk with smart meters have been disconnected in error or without a court order since they were introduced?

[Hymie]

Less than 5 seconds of google found his:-

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/jun/26/ovo-smart-meter-readings-error-disconnected

I’m willing to bet google could find a lot more – and loads never get reported (to the media).

[Hymie]

If you don’t believe dynamic pricing will be forced on those who have smart-meters, Ofgem thinks otherwise.

https://www.cityam.com/ofgem-to-overhaul-smart-meters-in-push-for-surge-pricing/

[THECORBYLOON]

An example of one person in the past three year? Wow!

[Hymie]

And here’s one of many articles about hackers targeting smart-meters.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/5922516/russia-cyber-war-hackers-smart-meters-british-homes-blackouts/

dannyk13 – what planet are you on?

[dannyk13]

Hymie, I'm on planet earth a long way from yours.

[Hymie]

The planet earth I’m on has power companies disconnecting smart-meters in error, imminent dynamic pricing being forced on those who have smart-meters, and hackers targeting smart-meters.

What’s going on, on your planet earth?

[dannyk13]

All is well on my planet thank you.

[jackthehat]

I bet wiltsman will be really pleased he posted this when he sees page 2.....

[wiltsman]

Blimey! Didn't expect so many replies - thank you.

Will need to read and re-read some of these posts. Never thought about conspirancy theories though!