Smart Meter

ejv

I just had an email from my recently switched provider, asking whether I want a free smart meter.
As I always do, I searched the MSE forum and stumbled upon this thread.

I'm novice about smart meters.

I do switch providers often.Why was it mentioned, the smart meter is "not transferable" and you can't get the dumb meter back?:huh:

If I allow my current supplier to install one,do they dismantle my dumb meters?:eek:

If I switch provider next year, would the new provider rip off the current smart meter and put their new one?:think:

Robin9

The OP above wanted his old meter back - that won't happen as its probably on the scrap heap.

Not transferable means that in most cases once you had a smart meter installed and you change suppliers the meter will not be changed but it will not communicate with the new supplier and you will need to maintain good practise and supply monthly readings online.

poppellerant

I'll be honest, I haven't read most of this thread. So I apologise if I'm just repeating what's already been said.

When the smart meter is installed, a final reading is recorded before disconnecting the meter - this reading is then submitted to the provider. When the smart meter is installed, it should start at zero. So when the final meter reading is submitted to the provider, you will probably get a surprise bill - because energy usage is naturally higher in winter when the final reading was taken and now the smart meter is also recording your usage throughout this period.

All you are doing by not submitting regular meter readings, is delaying the inevitable - a large bill for your winter usage. If you do get a normal meter installed again, this will just prove to be a false economy. The smart meter is acting in your best interests by supplying your provider with regular readings and when you get your bills you will realise if you are about to fall into debt or even too much credit.

My advice would be to ask for the final readings from your provider and find a meter reading from a year ago. Use this information to calculate your annual and monthly usage, then set your direct debit to the next £5 - so if your monthly usage is £67.89, set your direct debit to £70.00.

The shock of the bills has probably left you with a bitter experience - but it's better than falling behind with readings and payments. Pay what you owe, persist with the smart meter and be thankful you didn't end up in debt.

ejv

Was OP pondering whether,for the same usage, the smart meters give a higher reading than dumb meters.(Don't the automobile industry fudge their speedometer to show higher than actual speed?)

System

ejv wrote: »

Was OP pondering whether,for the same usage, the smart meters give a higher reading than dumb meters.(Don't the automobile industry fudge their speedometer to show higher than actual speed?)

Oh please - let us not go there. Industry standards for gas and electricity metering are very prescriptive. Yes - it is true that car speedometers may well over-read by 1 or 2mph but there are sound commercial and legal reasons for this. Just think what would happen to a car manufacturer's reputation if 000s of motorists were done for speeding thinking that they were driving within the speed limit.

Edit:

From European Regulations on Speedometers

The indicated speed must never be less than the actual speed, i.e. it should not be possible to inadvertently speed because of an incorrect speedometer reading.
The indicated speed must not be more than 110 percent of the true speed plus 4 km/h at specified test speeds.

dennis_nozedar

i'm a regular ditch and switcher and have saved pounds.Having now changed supplier again to Scottish Power. but i have an Eon gas smart meter. now i have to give meter readings again .my Eon gas meter is fitted at ground level with a front facing reader, makes this virtually impossible to read when your getting on a bit. i was laid on the floor with my phone in one hand and the lid of meter box in the other hand talking,to an idiiot call centre adviser explaining wrongly how to get a reading .And then for him to eventually ask me to tell him any number i could see and he'll take it from there

System

dennis_nozedar wrote: »

And then for him to eventually ask me to tell him any number i could see and he'll take it from there

Welcome to the forum.

How on earth is he going to 'take it from there' if there is no way SP can read your smart meter remotely? It sounds like a recipe for estimated bills.

zxcv12345678

well had smart meter, but doesn't work getting estimated bills, they change meter , they changed monitor, still not working :mad:phone call after phone call so sick of it before i had this meter alway had a key meter topping up from the shop no problems now nothing but, this been going on since october :mad: well they going to ring me today probably to tell me its being dealt with again! well not having it im going to demand that they fit me with key meters again so i no exactly how much i'm paying , its as if they want you to get in you behind in payment all i have had is stress with them asking me to read the meter and press this button and that button so fed up with them oct to march now not fixed the issue ,:mad::mad::mad:

prost

There's 3 reasons to avoid SMART METERS. By design, they are very harmful to human health. Experts who have researched it have revealed it on the Internet. Go on YouTube if you don't want to do all the research (“SMART METER dangers”).

In the USA people who didn't want them have still had them installed on their property by someone accompanied by armed policemen.

Secondly, they had been known to overcharge customers by 3 to 4 times. With a normal meter the authorities can't tell how much electricity someone uses.

Thirdly they have been know to catch fire, something normal electricity meters aren't known for.

The energy companies have nothing to do with the manufacture of SMART METERS.

I know the literature provided by all the electricity companies says the devilish $MART METERS will be compulsory etc. but that's a heap of crap. It's really up to the mass population to do something about it.

SMART devices are designed to work with each other. They unite and magnify each other. Did you invent these? They were built for you benefit or someone else's?

One time the authorities told us, “Nuclear power will provide so much clean, safe energy that you won't even have to pay for it.” People believed it.

“SMART METERS put **YOU** in charge. They also clean up global warming. They're also known to greatly bolster the economy...”

I don't use any SMART devices.