Should I get a smart meter?

saarah35

I have called British Gas today to have my prepayment meters exchanged to regular billed meters. I was told i have failed a credit check. i was shocked because i logged into my experian account and found i have a excellent credit history no arears on any account no missed payments you cant have any better credit history. i called experian to get their view they were just as shocked cant understand why i have beem refused. i called BG up to explain that there was nothing in my credit history why have i been refused. they said they cant tell me and wont change my meters. I feel i am being treated unfairly. i have been a customer for over 10 years i have always been in credit i never use emergency credit. I am paying £25 a week on gas and £18 a week on electricity this is an outrageous amount and when i have tried to do something about it, i have been told a big fat NO keep paying us an outrageous amount please. This is totally unacceptable people please beware! :-(

lstar337

saarah35 wrote: »

I have called British Gas today to have my prepayment meters exchanged to regular billed meters. I was told i have failed a credit check. i was shocked because i logged into my experian account and found i have a excellent credit history no arears on any account no missed payments you cant have any better credit history. i called experian to get their view they were just as shocked cant understand why i have beem refused. i called BG up to explain that there was nothing in my credit history why have i been refused. they said they cant tell me and wont change my meters. I feel i am being treated unfairly. i have been a customer for over 10 years i have always been in credit i never use emergency credit. I am paying £25 a week on gas and £18 a week on electricity this is an outrageous amount and when i have tried to do something about it, i have been told a big fat NO keep paying us an outrageous amount please. This is totally unacceptable people please beware! :-(

Saarah, please take the bold off your text. It's nasty on the eyes.

Technoholic

Hi

If I move to BG (who we're thinking of moving to anyway) and request a smart meter, do you think they will install the new meter outside? My current meters are on the inside of an outside wall, id literally just want them on the other side of the wall to get them gone from the inside

MeterMan

Technoholic wrote: »

Hi

If I move to BG (who we're thinking of moving to anyway) and request a smart meter, do you think they will install the new meter outside? My current meters are on the inside of an outside wall, id literally just want them on the other side of the wall to get them gone from the inside

Nope, the meters will be installed where the current meters are.

The issue is where the gas and electric service enters your property. We meter fitters and energy supplier have no control over these and if you want them moving you need speak to National Grid or your local DNO. If you switch to BG for smart meters, you will need to make sure you chose a smart tariff in order to get the meters sooner.

mttylad

I will not let one into my house.
As much as it might make it easier and mean I do not have to read the meter to submit it or let anyone come and readit.

I am a radio amateur and I understand that they cause a lo of interference, of which I get enough of these days so do not need to add more to it.

My meter is about 30+ years old, from what I understand if they do not read correctly due to age then its more likely to be benefiting the consumer rather than the supplier.

I'll stick with what I have until I am forced to have it changed and even then I will object to it, even going as far as building an RF shield around it to prevent interference.

Not everyone wants these.

MeterMan

mttylad wrote: »

I will not let one into my house.
As much as it might make it easier and mean I do not have to read the meter to submit it or let anyone come and readit.

I am a radio amateur and I understand that they cause a lo of interference, of which I get enough of these days so do not need to add more to it.

My meter is about 30+ years old, from what I understand if they do not read correctly due to age then its more likely to be benefiting the consumer rather than the supplier.

I'll stick with what I have until I am forced to have it changed and even then I will object to it, even going as far as building an RF shield around it to prevent interference.

Not everyone wants these.

The meter isn't yours, if the supplier wants into to read or exchange it, they will do, with permission or without permission.

Current smart meters use the mobile network in order to communicate on, BG smart meters can submit once every 30 minutes, once a day or once a month. They do this to appease the people with tin foil hats.

mttylad

NO they WILL NOT.

If they want to exchange it then they will NOT exchange it for a smart meter without my permission until such time as the law forces it - which is not now.

Simple.

MeterMan

mttylad wrote: »

NO they WILL NOT.

If they want to exchange it then they will NOT exchange it for a smart meter without my permission until such time as the law forces it - which is not now.

Simple.

I never said anything about installing a smart meter.

as I have said, If the supplier wants to read or exchange your meter, they can gain a warrant for entry, with or without your permission. Warrants are enforceable by Police if the person in the property doesn't allow access.

matelodave

ven if the law doesn't compel you to have one, perhaps the electricity company could refuse to supply you if you didn't accept their metering arrangements. They might even charge extra if they have to make special arrange to read and process your readings manually.


In what way do they produce more interference than stuff like mobile phones, wi-fi, Bluetooth, microwave ovens, Dect phones and all the other equipment that's squirting noise into the ether - washing machines, vacuum cleaners, fridges, freezers, fluorescent lights etc. I trust you don't use any of these items yourself then.


Have you evidence of this or are you quoting hearsay


Oh sorry! you are transmitting your own interference, possibly to the inconvenience of others