Pounds and pence energy meters to be installed

Former_MSE_Guy

This thread is to discuss the following news story:

Pounds and pence energy meters to be installed from 2012

Ken68

I doubt these meters will tell the full story.
For example annual discounts, direct debit discounts, penalties for leaving early and so on.
How are these going to be factored in.
Might just as well stick to consumption data, daily, weekly, monthly.

MrsBartolozzi

I'm a bit confused. At the beginning of the article it says that smart meters will be rolled out in 2012, but Archna says that 2020 is a long way away.
So is it 2012 or 2020??

I think these meters will make it all the more difficult to make sure you are being charged the right amount. On a bill the number of units and cost of each unit is clearly stated, and one can record how many units they are using by regularly checking their meter.
So I might be able to see I am using £x per day, but how can I be sure that my tariff is being applied correctly, and won't this make it more confusing when checking online for a better deal?

space_rider

I signed up to trial the meters and waiting to hear when that will be. I`m already economic with my electric so it will be interesting to see if I can be even more electric efficient. Thankfully my meter is outside which will stop me from being over obsessive.

tomstickland

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/may/11/smart-meters-energy-efficiency

SwanJon

MrsBartolozzi wrote: »

I'm a bit confused. At the beginning of the article it says that smart meters will be rolled out in 2012, but Archna says that 2020 is a long way away.

From my understanding, all new meters after 2012 will need to be smart, and all meters have to be changed by 2020.
At 45ish million you'd be looking at more than 100,000 each week for the 8 years - overtime for the meter installers anyone?

Metrovian

The small community centre I work in has been approached by a supplier to have a Smart Meter fitted.
Can anyone ease my mind about the wholesale charge into smart metering.
If I accept a smart meter, will the standing charge increase to cover the cost of the new meter?
How many people will be displaced from their employment in the meter reading industry when computer read meters are fully installed?
Will I be able to switch supplier if another supplier has fitted a smart meter?
Will there be a disconnection and reconnection charge to switch?
Do all suppliers use the same technology for their smart metering service?
Will I have to retain a land line to service the meter similar to Sky Box technology?
Will a hard sell campaign be launched by suppliers?
What benefits apart from "you use more energy when the cooker is on than when its off" are there for users?
I'm sure there must be hundreds of other questions that need to be answered but these ones will do for a start.
M

Ken68

Hi Metro...An owl type monitor is all YOU need, plus regular readings to check the bill. Could turn out to be similar to E10 meters which are not supported by all suppliers.

SwanJon

The only isue with getting a Smart Meter now is that the industry & ofgem havn't actally decided what the standard will be yet.
The companies are all conducting trials with what they wouldlie, but betwen now and 2012 they will need to get together to thrash it out.

All that means is that if you get one installe now there is a good chance you will need to get it changed when everyone else does.

galba

"The government estimates putting smart meters in the country's 26m homes could save customers and energy companies £2.5bn-£3.6bn over the next 20 years, but says it will cost more than double this to buy and install the equipment."

"Replacing today's meters by the end of 2020 is expected to cost £8.11bn under the government's preferred plan, with utility companies paying upfront, but able to pass on the charge. "Bill-payers have been suffering for many years from ever-increasing bills, so I hope the cost of the scheme – up to £340 for every household – won't wholly be put at their feet," said Scott Byrom, utilities manager at Moneysupermarket.com.

The Energy Retail Association – which represents the major electricity and gas companies – said that smart meters will be "cost-neutral" to customers because the savings to its members will part-fund the roll out."

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More likely 'cost neutral' to members of the ERA because the companies will be able to pass on the costs to us. I can't see that we, the paying customer, can expect anything but higher bills.

But the way this govt. is pratting around with energy provision it's likely to be strictly rationed by 2020.