Smart meter and an in home display

GingerBob_3

matelodave wrote: »

GingerBob wrote: »

What we want is facts or evidence of people being flipped not regurgitated hearsay from nutty postings on the internet which are just there to stir discontent.

I have not, at any time, said that this has already happened. Since the smart meter roll-out is way behind schedule and keeps stalling it is hardly surprising. I'm merely pointing out the technical capability. Of one thing you can be sure - if the energy companies can do this, they will do.

torbrex

I am getting gas & electric meters switched to the 'smart' versions by Hydro Electric at the end of this month and it can't come soon enough for me, I've been waiting to apply for them since the programme was first announced years ago.

I don't particularly care about the remote display unit, I have used one before and found that it didn't actually save me any money anyway as I am a compulsive switcher-off'er.

Radiation PAH, I probably get more from other peoples mobile phones when walking down the street than I ever will from any meter or display unit that is shut away in a cupboard somewhere.

Robin9

GingerBob wrote: »

Robin9 wrote: »

What more do you want? Knowledgeable contributors here have confirmed the technical capability to switch to pre-pay.

But GingerBob you are saying tha the supply can be cut off - how do they do that ?

MeterMan

Suppliers are no longer allowed to disconnect someones gas or electric supplies for non-payment, unless they are 2nd time offenders for theft of gas or electric.

[Deleted User]

MeterMan wrote: »

Which points? The heavily sarcastic comment, the 'i believe no one is fitting smart meters capable of switching'? (that phrase I believe means I have not seen)

I don't fit smart meters for EON so I couldn't comment, but I can tell you that British Gas' smart meter is incapable of switch between prepay and credit.

Perhaps you meant the my comment about the 'radiation' part. Go prove me wrong, Dont link to american videos.

Eon are using the same mk 1 version of Landys Gyr smart electric meter,not seen any of the Mk 2 versions with a hub instead of a sim card. I see quite a few of these around in new builds. One point I ve noticed lately is that new some build estates are all smart from day one.I wonder if there would be a charge to remove it if, as the government decreed, that a smart meter can be refused.

matelodave

Although it may not be a legal requirement (ie Government mandated) to have a smart meter I'd guess that the suppliers can do what they want.

It's their meter, not yours and if they choose to fit a smart meter to suit their billing and other processes then there's not a lot that you can do about it except change supplier.

Alternatively they could charge you a hefty premium for not having a smart meter as they could argue that it would cost them more to process your readings manually.

In the end, you need a meter of some sort and does it really make a lot of difference whether it's smart, dumb, green, blue or yellow.

steffijade

Is there anything to stop a customer having an energy supplier's smart meter removed (by a competent professional) and installing their own 'non smart' meter?

If anyone is unhappy at having a smart meter 'forced' on them, maybe this might be a solution?

If the meter isn't the property of the energy company, would they have any authority to 'tamper' with it? (Assuming the relevant safety certificates were in place to show that the customer owned meter is installed correctly and the supply doesn't pose a danger).

As I understand it, things like the Gas Act only allow energy companies to gain access to change a 'non smart' meter if the supply is deemed to be unsafe.

Sterlingtimes

steffijade wrote: »

Is there anything to stop a customer having an energy supplier's smart meter removed (by a competent professional) and installing their own 'non smart' meter?

It would be theft, most likely fraud in removing the recorded usage and breach of contract with the energy supplier.

steffijade

Sterlingtimes wrote: »

It would be theft, most likely fraud in removing the recorded usage and breach of contract with the energy supplier.

Hmmm.. fraud eh?

I wonder if that would be the case if access was allowed to the customer's own 'non smart' meter to take readings? If the energy supplier only needed readings to provide usage data and thus, form a bill, would it really matter who owned the meter as long as it was properly calibrated and gave accurate readings?

If the readings were accurate there would be no theft (customer would still be on a metered supply and liable to pay for the energy). Likewise with fraud too maybe?

I suppose such a setup might mean an end to 'standing charges' (if it's the customers own meter, the energy supplier wouldn't be justified in charging for a meter that they din't actually own would they?).

All that aside, I suppose energy suppliers would be loathe to allow something like this as it might diminish their control/leverage. That being the case, probably something in contract t&c stating that customer must use energy supplier's meter?

Though I have to wonder, if a customer switches supplier, does ownership of the meter automatically switch to the new supplier too?

Or would it be some body like Transco that actually owns the meter?

Not trying to be argumentative btw, I'm genuinely interested.

matelodave

I suppose that the energy company are within their rights to refuse to supply you if you don't use their meter. I'm not sure that it's enshrined in law that they are obliged to connect you especially if you refuse to abide by their contract terms.
If you use their leccy or gas then you are deemed to have agreed with their terms & conditions - perhaps you could try negotiating but I doubt that you'd be successful.