Smart meters - what is the catch?

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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,175 Forumite
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    Do these smart water meters need leccy to work? if they are plugging them into your mains then I'd expect compensation for the leccy used.
  • victor2
    victor2 Posts: 7,600 Ambassador
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    Deleted_User wrote: »
    Do these smart water meters need leccy to work? if they are plugging them into your mains then I'd expect compensation for the leccy used.
    According to Which?:
    Your gas smart meter will be battery-powered and the electricity smart meter will be plugged into the mains. The gas meter 'talks' to the electricity meter, which sends the information to your energy provider.
    They presumably use a very small amount of power, and if the electric meter gets what power it needs before it is metered into the house, then the running cost to the customer will be zero.
    Of course, if you use the In Home Display, that will use a small amount of metered electricity, to the tune of less than £1 a year I read somewhere.

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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,175 Forumite
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    victor2 wrote: »
    According to Which?:

    They presumably use a very small amount of power, and if the electric meter gets what power it needs before it is metered into the house, then the running cost to the customer will be zero.
    Of course, if you use the In Home Display, that will use a small amount of metered electricity, to the tune of less than £1 a year I read somewhere.

    I was asking about the smart water meters as mentioned in the posts above.

    But like you say about "it's only a £1 a year" I don't buy it, it is my £1 why should I pay a £1 a year so some energy company can make even more profits.
  • baldelectrician
    baldelectrician Posts: 2,467 Forumite
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    Deleted_User wrote: »
    But like you say about "it's only a £1 a year" I don't buy it, it is my £1 why should I pay a £1 a year so some energy company can make even more profits.
    You will pay for the consumpton of the IHD (in home display unit) if you plug it in. If you don't plug it in then you wont pay for its usage
    baldly going on...
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie
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    edited 9 August 2015 at 8:34PM
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    Deleted_User wrote: »
    I was asking about the smart water meters as mentioned in the posts above.

    But like you say about "it's only a £1 a year" I don't buy it, it is my £1 why should I pay a £1 a year so some energy company can make even more profits.
    Smart water meter uses a long life battery. and yes LeeUK , I believe you can refuse one.I questioned my meter fitter when he was installing it.He was nt going to volunteer the info but I dragged it out of him in the end. In house display of the Gas/electric smart uses little power, I was quoted 60 p a year by my fitter.
    Italy and Sweden are leading the world in Smart energy meters with 90% of households fitted in Italy and 99% in Sweden( so they must have been compulsory ) I am looking for info about time of use billing with higher price kwhr rates at peak periods because that is the future for us all. Italians/Sweden will be getting a warning when the higher price kwhr rates times come in so have the opportunity to make great savings by timing laundry and high price stuff to a cheaper time.Wifi plug sockets are here now, approx £20 each to make it easier
  • System
    System Posts: 178,094 Community Admin
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    victor2 wrote: »
    According to Which?:

    They presumably use a very small amount of power, and if the electric meter gets what power it needs before it is metered into the house, then the running cost to the customer will be zero.
    Of course, if you use the In Home Display, that will use a small amount of metered electricity, to the tune of less than £1 a year I read somewhere.

    ...and if it doesn't, what does the consumer pay to have the smart meter minus the use of a LCD display screen ?

    Furthermore, how much energy would be consumed every year if hypothetically every premises was to have one ?
  • Curious_Moose
    Curious_Moose Posts: 710 Forumite
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    I've just received a letter from my gas and electricity supplier saying "Your home's old meters must be replaced. As part of our obligations, we now need to change your electricity and gas meters". They then say "If your home is suitable, we intend to fit smart meters"


    I thought all of this was optional? I've Emailed them asking if I can just do nothing, but does anyone have any views in the meantime?


    Currently, if I have smart meter and then want to switch suppliers, there may be problems if the new supplier isn't compatible with the new set up. I'd prefer to leave it a few months to see if the new meters get standardised across suppliers.


    From their letter, it's as if they're saying "We need to change the meters anyway, so we may as well go for the Smart one". The reason they are giving for the change is "after years in operation, there is a minor risk that meters may become less reliable". This sounds like a bit of an excuse to try and push their Smart meters.


    Can I just ignore them for a few months?
  • Kim_kim
    Kim_kim Posts: 3,726 Forumite
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    Curious_Moose wrote: »
    I've just received a letter from my gas and electricity supplier saying "Your home's old meters must be replaced. As part of our obligations, we now need to change your electricity and gas meters". They then say "If your home is suitable, we intend to fit smart meters"


    I thought all of this was optional? I've Emailed them asking if I can just do nothing, but does anyone have any views in the meantime?


    Currently, if I have smart meter and then want to switch suppliers, there may be problems if the new supplier isn't compatible with the new set up. I'd prefer to leave it a few months to see if the new meters get standardised across suppliers.


    From their letter, it's as if they're saying "We need to change the meters anyway, so we may as well go for the Smart one". The reason they are giving for the change is "after years in operation, there is a minor risk that meters may become less reliable". This sounds like a bit of an excuse to try and push their Smart meters.


    Can I just ignore them for a few months?

    I guess while smart meters aren't compulsory, the energy suppliers won't be fitting anything else.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,094 Community Admin
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    Curious_Moose wrote: »
    I've just received a letter from my gas and electricity supplier saying "Your home's old meters must be replaced. As part of our obligations, we now need to change your electricity and gas meters". They then say "If your home is suitable, we intend to fit smart meters"


    I thought all of this was optional? I've Emailed them asking if I can just do nothing, but does anyone have any views in the meantime?


    Can I just ignore them for a few months?

    Have a read of this:

    http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/problem/do-i-have-to-accept-a-smart-meter
  • baldelectrician
    baldelectrician Posts: 2,467 Forumite
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    Curious_Moose wrote: »
    .
    Can I just ignore them for a few months?

    You could ignore them until they get a court order to fit new meters.

    They are very unlikely to get a court order unless you are in arrears and refusing to pay, or there is a safety issue (fire etc)
    baldly going on...
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