Should I get a smart meter?

GingerBob_3

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

Yes, I have, and npower should have had their license revoked a long time ago.

Well I think we can agree on that one, anyway.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Anyone not paying for their energy use should be switched into pre-payment mode immediately the 'daytime' after whatever is decided as a 'grace period' ends .. .. no exception other than those pre-registered as vulnerable who should have additional checks and balances applied. The vulnerable already get direct financial help from the DWP in the form of WHD WFP CWP there are already lots of flexible ways to top up such as corner shop, online, over the phone, etc.

Most non-payers however are wont payers, not can't payers, they simply choose to spend their wonka in other more exotic ways. They will do this with, without or in spite of smart metering. The very important difference is I won't be paying for the refuseniks energy for 6 to 12 months till we get them cut off or onto a pre-pay, or for the big 6's 'slack Alice' attitude to making them pay.

[Deleted User]

Gingerbob, the truth is the vast majority of people are not bothered about smarts, but they are also not worried about having one fitted either. After the initial first few months , most unplug the excellent energy monitor and stick it in a drawer. I m boots on the ground, I see them, speak to them. When a meter fitter turns up most just fit them without asking them if they want one or not. You are a one-off worried about the bogeyman spying on your privacy. Personally he can watch my every move, all my comings and goings, I m not bothered. Its the skumbags down the street, the alcos and druggies I m worried about, not Northern Power or N.Power

GingerBob_3

sacsquacco wrote: »

Gingerbob, the truth is the vast majority of people are not bothered about smarts, but they are also not worried about having one fitted either. After the initial first few months , most unplug the excellent energy monitor and stick it in a drawer. I m boots on the ground, I see them, speak to them. When a meter fitter turns up most just fit them without asking them if they want one or not. You are a one-off worried about the bogeyman spying on your privacy. Personally he can watch my every move, all my comings and goings, I m not bothered. Its the skumbags down the street, the alcos and druggies I m worried about, not Northern Power or N.Power

Yep, agree with some of that, but the highlighted statement - that's worrying. I might follow that up, maybe with the regulator.

joncombe

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

Funny, we're only 2 generations away (in my family at least) from people who grew up without central heating.

But they probably had a gas fire, electric fan heater or and open fire burning wood or coal. I think you will find even several generations ago there were very few people that had no form of heating in any roms.

joncombe

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Most non-payers however are wont payers, not can't payers, they simply choose to spend their wonka in other more exotic ways. They will do this with, without or in spite of smart metering. The very important difference is I won't be paying for the refuseniks energy for 6 to 12 months till we get them cut off or onto a pre-pay, or for the big 6's 'slack Alice' attitude to making them pay.

I agree with your sentiments but I am not convinced these meters are infallable, or the energy companies won't make mistakes.

For example if the "signal" sent to the meter to cut off the supply, switch to pre-pay mode or whatever is sent via a mobile network how long before the "won't payers" discover they can wrap the meter in foil and block the signals from getting through?

Richie-from-the-Boro

joncombe wrote: »

I agree with your sentiments but I am not convinced these meters are infallible, or the energy companies won't make mistakes.

For example if the "signal" sent to the meter to cut off the supply, switch to pre-pay mode or whatever is sent via a mobile network how long before the "won't payers" discover they can wrap the meter in foil and block the signals from getting through?

They, the energy companies will and currently do make mistakes, the meters may or may not turn out to be fallible or infallible who knows ? I know that the current situation works in both the suppliers favour [just pass the collective costs to us] and the thief's favour because they know the supplier will pass their individual cost to us. Either way we pay - arguing for the status quo seems to be an argument in favour of the thieves and footpads who steal our money.

GingerBob_3

There seems to be a general idea that smart meters will stop energy theft. I don't think so. What they will do, of course, is open up an entirely new criminal route - hacker street. Obviously more difficult for the back street bypasser to negotiate, but I wonder how long it will be before some bright spark comes up with a hack that sends spoof readings to the supplier? I bet it's already out there.

Oh dear! Try a Google search for SMART METER HACKING

joncombe

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

They, the energy companies will and currently do make mistakes, the meters may or may not turn out to be fallible or infallible who knows ? I know that the current situation works in both the suppliers favour [just pass the collective costs to us] and the thief's favour because they know the supplier will pass their individual cost to us. Either way we pay - arguing for the status quo seems to be an argument in favour of the thieves and footpads who steal our money.

Yes the point is we don't know but there is going to be a large amount of money spent carrying out wholesale replacement of gas and electric meters in virtually every property in the country. That is ultimately going to be paid for by us, either by higher bills or from the government (which is of course funded by us through taxes). It could well turn out to be a huge waste of money.

My view is that if we are going to replace all meters energy companies should be fitting meters outside of peoples homes. This means they can't be fiddled with behind closed doors and meter readers or safety inspectors can't be denied access to check, as happens now. So it is less likely people will or attempt to bypass them (as there is a much higher chance they will be seen) and if they do it can be spotted more easily. Water companies have already done this (as far as I know water meters are installed on the public highway not inside homes) and I think energy suppliers should do the same.

Andy_WSM

joncombe wrote: »

My view is that if we are going to replace all meters energy companies should be fitting meters outside of peoples homes.

I'm not against smart meters, but am totally against the idea of putting the meters outside, simply because I don't want either my block paved driveway disturbed or pipe work visible on the front of my property - both of which would HAVE to happen if the meters were to be moved outside. Currently they are inside, tucked away in cupboards.