Have you got a smart meter? Well look out

moneyistooshorttomention

That reminds me....

I've seen a bit of a minor rash of solar panels going up on roofs of houses near me recently that don't have to have them from pov of "Otherwise its oil......". Those houses are near enough in that they can use mains fuel - but those panels have gone up....

Is there some sort of deal going on at the moment that I might like to know about re those panels? (If only in current area - ie Wales)?

At the moment - I have literally no money available to put towards anything like that myself:( - but the roof of my Present House faces exactly the right direction and I'd be quite happy to have them in principle.

SailorSam

A few years ago when we first heard about smart meters and we were all going to get them, i was all in favour. It sounded a great idea that never again would i have to wait in for the man to read it, or get silly estimates. But the more i read about them, the more i hope they're never forced on us.

Gigervamp

I never liked them and glad we don't have one. We read our meter monthly and upload the numbers to the energy company online. No need for meter readers or estimated readings.

Money, the government subsidies for solar are coming to an end. I think you can still get the subsidy if you install now and for a few months more (until April 16?), so that's probably why you've seen a load go up now.

I'd suggest reading the threads on selling a house with solar panels before you decide whether to see if you can get them done before the cut off date.

SailorSam

Gigervamp wrote: »

I'd suggest reading the threads on selling a house with solar panels before you decide whether to see if you can get them done before the cut off date.

I phoned a few years ago about getting panels on my roof, they never came out but just looked where i was on Google then told me my house was facing the wrong way. I've never bothered since.

Gigervamp

SailorSam wrote: »

I phoned a few years ago about getting panels on my roof, they never came out but just looked where i was on Google then told me my house was facing the wrong way. I've never bothered since.

There seem to be problems with selling houses that have taken advantage of those solar panel companies where the company basically leases your roof. You get cheaper electicity, the company takes a cut and you don't have to shell out the upfront costs of buying and installing the panels.

However, because they have something like a 25 year lease on your roof, mortgage companies don't like it, so the house seller has trouble finding a buyer.

At least, that's what I gather, having read the threads on the house buying forum here.

pigpen

Gigervamp wrote: »

There seem to be problems with selling houses that have taken advantage of those solar panel companies where the company basically leases your roof. You get cheaper electicity, the company takes a cut and you don't have to shell out the upfront costs of buying and installing the panels.

However, because they have something like a 25 year lease on your roof, mortgage companies don't like it, so the house seller has trouble finding a buyer.

At least, that's what I gather, having read the threads on the house buying forum here.

that's what my mortgage company said too... so I forked out for my own panels.. not cheap but at least I can move if I need to.

solves

I can't have a gas smart meter as EDF have told me I have a high-pressure gas meter. ???

bouicca21

Am I imagining having been told that smart meters vary from supplier to supplier so if like me you regularly switch, they are useless?

Mr_Singleton

Lynplatinum wrote: »

Hi
there is no guarantee that they wouldnt put your heating on remotely and then claim that you had done it - how could you 'prove' them wrong??? one could be faced with a huge bill - even if it was a mistake!!

Yup, that is such a scary thought but I heard that if you put an up turned colander on your head then stand on 3 sheets of tin foil while sticking your right index finger in your left ear between 18:03 & 18:05 it disrupts the gas and electrify companies from controlling your utilities.

That reminds me you need to be singing any Max Bygraves song at the top of your voice whilst holding a wooden spoon in the bathroom.

Good luck! and let me know how you get on.

[Deleted User]

I have been pestered by EDF to have a smart meter installed but I think I will wait awhile .I was reading that an awful lot are installed by people with not a great deal of training, and as I worry about the safety aspect

I think I will wait and see for a bit longer.My youngest DD has had one fitted and they are with Ovo.Her meter that they have to plug into their own mains to see the reading I was thinking can't save you much cash if you are running it on your own electricity ? or am I not getting the point