smart meters, its all a con for energy companies to spy on us right? they still visit

mttylad

I'd quite like one.

My current meter was last inspected in 1985 its that old.

I look forward to it being ftted, not needing to take a meter reader down into the cellar again and to being able to check my own readings online, also for them to be accurate and not have estimated bills.

As for them knowing my usage - so what! I dont grow weed so dont have a high usage, just an ordinary one

If they offered to fit one here I'd take them up on it pdq.

Joyful

Meters are now only going to be checked every 5 years unless customers are on the priority register or fraud is suspected.

Joyful

PollySouthend wrote: »

You seam to be implying that the general public are not smart enough to know the more energy they use the higher their bills. Do they actually have to be told the more you use your heating the higher your gas bill will be?

If your meters are in a difficult place to read they can be moved sometimes for free.

You would be amazed how many people think their meters are faulty when it gets cold. They seem to think as they did not increase the temperature that the same amount of gas will be used.

Re meters being moved you would need to be on a priority register for a PP meter to be moved but there is no need to move a credit one as they can always get a meter reader out if they miss an appointment/ At least that is the case with BG. A smart meter will remove the need for this completely.

SailorSam

PollySouthend wrote: »

If your meters are in a difficult place to read they can be moved sometimes for free.

My electric meter is behind the fridge freezer and it's a pain-in-the-bum to pull out when the reader knocks. Normally i make a note on the calender and pull it part-way a couple of days before but when the reader has come early sometimes and this big FF has to be moved we've said how much easier it would be to move it. None of the readers think i'd get it done for free, they say it will cost hundreds.

silverwhistle

spiro wrote: »

In terms of national generation capacity, the Italian use of these meter is that you sign up to a tariff which has a maximum capacity (peak) and the higher the peak the more the elec costs. This allow then to plan the maximum generation they need for a given area. Exceed your peak and the meter cuts you off until you contact the supplier [snip]

Not quite, but pretty well.. Just back from 7 years in Italy. The smart meters trip and you can reset it without contacting the supplier; but in all that period I think I tripped twice, possibly 3 times with a maximum load of 3kw nominal (3.3 actual) and that was from the peak of an electric motor cutting in. I wasn't prepared to pay extra for a 6.6kw installation, but I did have to get a lower powered electric kettle (1.8kw) from Wilko.:D

KTF

SailorSam wrote: »

None of the readers think i'd get it done for free, they say it will cost hundreds.

Have you actually asked for a quote to get it moved?

silverwhistle

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I was confused after going outside and considering wearing a coat.

Now, now, be fair.;) Mind you, here on the south coast I _am_ confused as I haven't worn a coat yet.. just something for the rain. I am concerned that since 2nd August when the new meter went in I've used 6 units of gas (6.3 if we include the decimal) so obviously the weather _is_ changing a bit.. In the spring I'll probably move to Ebico because at the moment I'm mainly paying standing charges!

SailorSam

KTF wrote: »

Have you actually asked for a quote to get it moved?

To be honest No, it's only once a quarter.

PollySouthend

Joyful wrote: »

You would be amazed how many people think their meters are faulty when it gets cold. They seem to think as they did not increase the temperature that the same amount of gas will be used.

That, sadly, does not surprise me. I'm still more for education than spoon feeding.

Cardew

Joyful wrote: »

You would be amazed how many people think their meters are faulty when it gets cold. They seem to think as they did not increase the temperature that the same amount of gas will be used.

I tend not to be amazed these days! however on MSE I am surprised at just how many people think that if a boiler is running, it doesn't cost any more to heat all the radiators in the property rather than a single radiator. 'After all it is the same hot water that flows through all the radiators'.

They really cannot understand that you should turn off radiators in rooms not in use.

On that principle it must cost the same to heat Buckingham Palace as a bedsit.