Smart Electricitiy Meter

Damsonette

E-on have written to me to offer me a free smart electricity meter upgrade. It sends autmoatic meter readings back to them. I don't know if I should take up this offer or not. What do people think? What are the benefits and disadvantages? Thank you.

System

i would have one, no more meter readings, and accurate bills ad say yes

MeterMan

By law they have to offer 3 different times of reading.

Once every 30 minutes
Once a day
Once a Month

You can pick how often the information is transmitted back to the energy supplier, a breach in this is classed as a breach of data protection which carries a maximum fine of £500,000.00

[Deleted User]

You might as well have one, I find it disturbing that the governent has even given people the option of declining one. Last weeks work I discovered 2 long term gas meter substituted meters ( Scot Power and SSE ) and 2 bypassed electric meters, one a cannabis grower, ( BG) I feel that some of these MPs dont live in the real world. Energy theft is growing all the time, smart meters are supposed to end the vast amounts of stolen energy yet they give the thieves an option of saying no thanks.

matelodave

I'm all for it assuming they don't charge you for it. Accurate electricity bills so no nasty surprises. Ideally one with an internal monitor would be nice so you can see what's being used and thereby keep an eye on your consumption. Do you know if you can monitor it on-line as well?

However, even with a smart meter, I would still keep reading it regularly just to make sure that the bills/consumption do actually track what's being recorded - I'm suspicious like that, but given the offer I'd jump at it.

Nada666

matelodave wrote: »

I'm all for it assuming they don't charge you for it. Accurate electricity bills so no nasty surprises. Ideally one with an internal monitor would be nice so you can see what's being used and thereby keep an eye on your consumption. Do you know if you can monitor it on-line as well?

However, even with a smart meter, I would still keep reading it regularly just to make sure that the bills/consumption do actually track what's being recorded - I'm suspicious like that, but given the offer I'd jump at it.

So you're not for them, then.

Jonboy_1984

We have one at work for the Gas which works fine, and I would bite their hand off for one at home.

[Deleted User]

matelodave wrote: »

I'm all for it assuming they don't charge you for it. Accurate electricity bills so no nasty surprises. Ideally one with an internal monitor would be nice so you can see what's being used and thereby keep an eye on your consumption. Do you know if you can monitor it on-line as well?

However, even with a smart meter, I would still keep reading it regularly just to make sure that the bills/consumption do actually track what's being recorded - I'm suspicious like that, but given the offer I'd jump at it.

I had one for while ( have switched from BG now so it does nt work as a smart ) and it had no way of online monitoring. the monitor I had was a very good one showing every kwhr of use in hard cash. Later monitors are even better.

PollySouthend

sacsquacco wrote: »

You might as well have one, I find it disturbing that the governent has even given people the option of declining one. Last weeks work where I discovered 2 long term gas meter substituted meters ( Scot Power and SSE ) and 2 bypassed electric meters, one a cannabis grower, ( BG) I feel that some of these MPs dont live in the real world. Energy theft is growing all the time, smart meters are supposed to end the vast amounts of stolen energy yet they give the thieves an option of saying no thanks.

Maybe you should move to the US where you can be arrested for refusing a smart meter.

This idea that smart meters will stop energy theft is a very lazy and ineffective way round the problem.

Energy bills are already high enough as they are and now people will have to pay the 11bn offgem estimates for smarts. If they estimate 11bn the final bill will proably be close to 22bn.

Not to mention the issues with G4S being awarded the contracts to mine the data. The fact that lots of the meters already installed are not smart enough and will need to be replaced to meet EU rules. The ease at which energy supply could be cut off remotely.

All in all, they are a dumb, lazy and costly idea.

People that are too stupid to read their meter regularly will have bigger issues in life. Lets make people smarter, not bills higher.

Jonboy_1984

The one at work has a Sim card and sends a text message to the utility company - where would G4S get involved?

PollySouthend

Jonboy_1984 wrote: »

The one at work has a Sim card and sends a text message to the utility company - where would G4S get involved?

from their own mouth:

http://www.g4s.com/en/Investors/News%20Events%20and%20Presentations/Announcements/2013/01/16/British%20Gas%20Contract%20Win/

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/aug/18/smart-meters-uk-hacking-electricity