The Great Hunt: How smart is your smart meter?

maroon_jelly

I had smart meters for gas and electric fitted by British Gas on Friday.

Big mistake.

I received a call saying they were updating pay as you go meters so I went along with it. First engineers appointment was cancelled by BG, 4 hours after they were due to turn up. Second appointment was arranged for 4 weeks later.

So, the engineer arrives, tells me it's going to take around 2 hours.

2 hours later the job was done. He checked the gas hob and was happy the supply was backed on. Showed me how to use the monitor and left.

20 mins after he left I noticed the boiler wasn't working, no hot water or heating. I called BG and they flat out denied it was anything to do with them. I have a 10 week old baby, my main concern was getting the boiler back on. BG agreed to send out an engineer. He arrived within 30 mins and said if he takes the cover off the boiler I will be charged £79! It's a rented house so I can't agree to anything without informing the agent. It's now 6pm on a Friday.

The best the engineer could say without removing the cover is the fan is broke. Back on the phone to BG, they said if I can get a report off an independent engineer to prove BG were at fault they would send another engineer and cover the costs.

When the estate agent sent an independent engineer he said the PCB had gone and he would replace it so I didn't have to wait any longer or get in a debate with BG. The boiler had been off 4 days!

To top it all off, 12 hours after receiving the monitor the power lead stopped working. I phoned to see if they could send a new one and they said they'd have to send an engineer. So another day sat in waiting for them!

Give me back the old meters!

csreader

Ovo Energy offered us a smart meter for our electricity and we accepted in July 2014. (How about smart meters for oil?) Previously I read the meter monthly and Ovo sent me a monthly bill. Afterwards everything went haywire and bills came about 6 months apart, very unhelpful. Apparently they hadn't got their computer systems updated in time for our meter. Now they won't accept readings from me "because you've got a smart meter", so they must have more confidence in their system. We've switched tariffs since then but are still with Ovo.

LouiseJessejump

Yes, I have a Smart meter for my electricity.

I received a letter informing me that my old meter was faulty and needed replacing. (It wasn't faulty, I have reduced our electricity use massively about 2 years before meter was fitted) On speaking to the fitters, Eon thought I was tapping into the streetlights outside or had bypassed the meter, lol. Not once did they think I could just be being more economical. Anyway, had it fitted about 2 years ago.


Works brilliantly, proves to Eon that my old meter was correct, I can see what is using electricity, how much and we have a tickover of 1p/hr when everything is off which surprised the fitter when we first activated it. I also use the Eon App to look at usage graphs etc.


You need a good Network Signal for it to send data, I think it uses O2 in my area. Not had any problems at all with it.


My Husband hates the fact that I can check usage while I am away and he is home alone, usage goes up as he leave all the lights on, TV on etc when he is not even in the room, what a rebel.


I say to everyone, GET ONE FITTED AND LEARN HOW NOT TO WASTE MONEY.


Our electricity bill works out at about £18 a month. Eon used to ask for £28 a month for my Direct Debit, now things are more reliable.


We have gas cooker, boil a kettle on there using only right amount of water. I have installed a log burner too.


I want one for Gas, will get on fitted as soon as I can.


I could teach anyone how to save money on electricity use, if they are willing to learn.


My only 'gripe' with it, is that the display unit needs to be constantly plugged in and switched on and that it works out at a cost of 14p a year to my electricity bill, �� I did mention that to the fitter ��

allenkj

I had two fitted years ago by Eon.

Useful for getting a reading without crawling under the stairs and providing data on usage and cost by various periods.

Since then I must have moved supplier at least ten times and not one has used smart meters, so the costs are all wrong.

They should be fined if they can't use them.

[Deleted User]

C_A_Wodo wrote: »

I had gas and electric smart meters installed.

Then British Gas removed the gas meter because it couldn't be read (and trashed the front garden doing so). Now, despite still having an electric smart meter, I have to personally supply a reading for both - yet, as the gas meter is on the street at the front of the house, it could be read without anyone having to enter the premises.

So I provide a personal reading every quarter.

Shortly after I do this they send round a man to read the meters, because they obviously don't think I can read them correctly. (I can).

Smart meters? Unfortunately, the utility companies aren't smart enought to install them... and if they do, they don't bother reading them any way.

Complete waste of time.

:mad:

People seem to be using the word "trash " as a verb. Are you seriously trying to say that BG (or National Grid )came with a digger and destroyed the whole of your front garden, lawn as well in the simple fitting of a gas meter. Can you detail the damage.
Sorry but meters have to be accessed for other checks rather than just a simple meter reading

Futuristic

We got a letter from Eon some 2-3 years ago so applied online (voluntarily), apart from the fact we don't have to submit meter readings I haven't seen any real benefit from it. Nor do we use the home device they gave to plug in.

Still have some Eon bloke come at least once a year to check the meter readings for whatever reason now we don't bother letting them in, they're free to come at a scheduled time in writing.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

bonjan wrote: »

Have you had one installed?
Yes, I had one installed by First Utility.

Was it voluntary?
I got a letter from First Utility / Siemens asking me to call an 0800 number to schedule the date and time of its installation.
I guess I could have ignored the letter.

Have you found it to be a smart addition or clutter?
Neither.
I was not offered an in home display, so no clutter.
I welcomed not having to remember to send meter readings and to be able to see my electricity usage with 30 minute intervals on my phone.
That said, I just switched to e.on through the MSE collective switch and it turns out e.on can't read my smart meter, so I'm back to sending meter readings.
I think it's stupid that money is being wasted on installing smart meters that become useless as you switch provider.

You're right bonjan. As the meter was installed by another supplier, you'll lose a lot of the smart benefits now you've joined us. This includes the ability to take readings remotely. This is only temporary until all suppliers are able to use a centralised data communications company to look after readings. I don't have a time frame for this at the moment.

You might, though, be eligible for one of our Smart Meters. We're currently installing them in many parts of the country. It depends on things like the actual area, the strength of the mobile phone signal and the current metering set up. They're free and ours come with an energy display to help you keep track of your usage.

There's more information on our website including a form to register an interest. There are some useful FAQs too. We've also dedicated teams who deal exclusively with all things smart. They'll be in touch when we receive the form to let you know the options.

Hope this is of interest bonjan. Let me know if you need any more information as happy to help.

Malc

Futuristic

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

You might, though, be eligible for one of our Smart Meters. We're currently installing them in many parts of the country. It depends on things like the actual area, the strength of the mobile phone signal and the current metering set up. They're free and ours come with an energy display to help you keep track of your usage.

This may be of help to new Eon customers:
https://www.eonenergy.com/for-your-home/smart-meters/smart-register-interest

teflon

Yes, yes, and not yet.

We're with Ovo, who emailed me a few months ago to offer smart meters for electricity and gas. Their first attempt at installation wasn't a success: the isolator before the electricity meter was fused on live and neutral, which is a no-no, so UK Power Networks had to come and fix that. (They turned up unannounced a few days later, and while the chap was there a letter arrived asking me to contact them to arrange an appointment).

Attempt 2 was more successful, but Ovo take up to 12 weeks to send the device that connects the meters to your internet connection, so I'm still waiting for them to be smart, and in the meantime I'm back on estimated bills. Looking forward to seeing how much things cost to run, and where I can shave off a few pennies here and there - though a shame they probably won't talk to my smart thermostat.

torbrex

MSE_Sam_M wrote: »

How smart is your smart meter?

Have you had a smart meter installed? Was it voluntary? Have you found it to be a smart addition or more clutter?

We'd love to have your feedback.

Yes about 3 months ago.

Yes, I was keen to get them

They take up no more space than the previous meters.

Having the 'smart' meters has not changed the way or amount of gas and electricity that I use.