Smart Meter? No thanks I'll keep my dumb one.

2010

howee wrote: »

Not that simple your going to get one anyway,

No I`m not because they are not compulsory.
People do have a choice and they should reject them.


http://www.smartmeters.com/the-news/3001-uk-smart-meters-optional.html

According to a recent article in the Telegraph; the UK government has backed away from its former mandate to install a smart meter into every household by 2019, a project expected to cost £12 billion. Buckling to pressure from consumer advocacy groups that reject a wealth of research that maintains smart meters do not pose a health risk, Energy Minister Charles Hendry, has announced, “We believe people will benefit from having smart meters. But we will not make them obligatory.”



To that end, officials are apparently devising plans that will give consumers the option of retaining their analog meters instead of using smart meters, which communicate remotely from households to energy companies. The move was seen by some in the energy industry as a step backwards.

[Deleted User]

looks like 2010 is correct.www,parliament.uk/briefing-paper/sn06179pdf
page 3.1 where the end sentence is " the government do not expect suppliers to obtain a warrant of entry simply to fit a smart meter and it will not be an offence to refuse to accept a smart meter. dated 28 May2012

rogerblack

sacsquacco wrote: »

looks like 2010 is correct.www,parliament.uk/briefing-paper/sn06179pdf
page 3.1 where the end sentence is " the government do not expect suppliers to obtain a warrant of entry simply to fit a smart meter and it will not be an offence to refuse to accept a smart meter. dated 28 May2012

As I understand it, this might not be the case if the existing meter ends its life.

rogerblack

2010 wrote: »

Why?
Do they only manufacture smart meters now?

No, simply that you may not have the choice of what type meter they replace it with.
And you are obliged to allow them to replace it.

2010

rogerblack wrote: »

No, simply that you may not have the choice of what type meter they replace it with.
And you are obliged to allow them to replace it.

http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/get-advice/energy/smart-meters-what-are-they-and-how-can-i-find-out-more/about-smart-meters#7

I don’t want a smart meter – do I have to have one?

Smart meters are expected to be rolled out across the country by 2019. However, there will not be a legal obligation on individuals to take one. The rollout of smart meters is an important national modernisation programme. Government believes this will bring benefits to consumers and the nation. Ultimately, if you really don’t want a smart meter then you don’t have to have one.

However, suppliers still have to legally replace all standard gas and electricity meters on a regular basis. This is to make sure that meters are accurate. More information about this is available on the National Grid’s website: http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/metering/PME/faq.htm. If you are contacted about having your meter replaced, you will still need to have this done, but if you really don’t want a smart meter then tell your supplier. They will probably offer to install a smart meter in standard mode. This means all of the communications will be switched off and the smart meter will operate in ‘dumb’ mode.

[Deleted User]

Thanks 2010, I would be interested to know if dumb mode would mean that some occupiers would still be able to remove the seal on the lower cover and add a bypass link for free energy without the smart meter capability of sending error codes to the servers/ suppliers that this has taken place. I am sure that suppliers and the general public are unaware of the ammount of meter bypassing going off in this country. I work for BG,EDF and Scot Power. BG are poor and EDF appalling at revenue protection and the small suppliers havent any interest at all in detecting energy theft.
Its one of the big positives why it should be mandatory to have a smart meter, also why would anyone want estimates, which is not much more than an educated guess, which just gets people into the debt spiral and expensive prepay meters as a poster today Gentleman Oblickta can attest to

Inspectorman

Parents have one installed and it's a great bit of kit plus it's going to keep me extra busy installing them

For the people that don't want them, enjoy paying extra for your energy to cover "site visits" for meter reads.

As Sasc has mentioned it will also cut down on the huge amount of theft that's going on out there.

sheffield_lad

I still don't get the reluctence to have a smart meter?

Ok lets say the objectors do not read the daily mail & did allow the google car to come down the road, if privecy is no issue what is?

There may be one or two other reasons I can think of.

1, you have solar and your meter has no backstop
2, you think your meter can't be right (in your favour)

I have actually been offered a smart meter for both gas & lecci but did not opt to go early as I want to see any issue ironed out (I also have cheap bills £94per month 4 bed detached with wife in 24hrs a day and heating on 21/22deg all day), so think why rock the boat but that would not stop me getting in the way of a roll out when the day for the new meters comes.

new_owner

Inspectorman wrote: »

Parents have one installed and it's a great bit of kit plus it's going to keep me extra busy installing them

For the people that don't want them, enjoy paying extra for your energy to cover "site visits" for meter reads.

As Sasc has mentioned it will also cut down on the huge amount of theft that's going on out there.

Quite a few people cannot have them because they reply on a mobile signal. Where mine are situated where there is no mobile coverage (cellar).

We all cover the cost smart meter or not.

A worrying note is that if the smart meter needs to be moved you can be liable for the cost with some providers if the signal is intermittent after they have been fitted.

It makes no difference really. If you pay for the amount you use as you use it or every month. Just saves logging onto a website or a call.

Inspectorman

Everyone can have them - it's just that a minority will need alternative arrangements to the accepted solution of sending the reads via the mobile network from the communication hub of the install

I know cost is covered by everyone (that would be the government environmental charges) - I was referring to the fact that it is highly likely that suppliers will impose charges on people who "reject" a smart meter for site visits.