Smart Meters

Silent_Wings

Does anyone have a view on the value of Smart Meters? I have been offered one by British Gas but uncertain of its usefulness.

Robin9

This Forum is full of comments re Smart Meters - for and against.

Personally I am FOR - ensures regular readings and no estimates coupled not needing to crawl under the stairs to read them.

[Deleted User]

Silent_Wings wrote: »

Does anyone have a view on the value of Smart Meters? I have been offered one by British Gas but uncertain of its usefulness.

Its as useful as the last one and if you are not the type to submit readings or are too busy then its more useful than the meter from the last century. The in house display is also useful as a very accurate energy monitor.. I m sure the usual suspects will soon be along to try and scare you off one.

[Deleted User]

I think as elephants go, they're fairly white. The ability to monitor your usage in real time is just a novelty that will wear off in a few weeks, and fairly misleading for those who don't understand the difference between power and energy. The worst problem is that they aren't portable, so you need a new one every time you change supplier, making them a complete waste of money.

System

SMETS2 complaint smart meters are due to rolled out later this year but the roll-out rate is minimal. About 1500 meters for each of the Big 6 in the first year. These meters should be portable between suppliers. The big ramp up is in 2018 but don't hold your breath. If you are interested, BG has just got Ofgem's approval to roll out a 5th domestic tariff with Time of Use charging for dual fuel. So if you don't mind washing your undies overnight, this might be a good tariff to consider but not if you want your tea at teatime when energy demand is high.

SailorSam

When we first started to hear about them i thought it would be a great thing, but i've read so many people complaining about them, now i'm not so sure.

[Deleted User]

Hengus wrote: »

SMETS2 complaint smart meters are due to rolled out later this year but the roll-out rate is minimal. About 1500 meters for each of the Big 6 in the first year. These meters should be portable between suppliers. The big ramp up is in 2018 but don't hold your breath. If you are interested, BG has just got Ofgem's approval to roll out a 5th domestic tariff with Time of Use charging for dual fuel. So if you don't mind washing your undies overnight, this might be a good tariff to consider but not if you want your tea at teatime when energy demand is high.

Thanks Hengus, I m very interested in that and will definitely try it. I m quite happy sticking the washer on at 6 am etc and I dont mind shifting meal times to suit. Well done BG. When the time of use trial was used in Northern Ireland they ended up preferring it.

System

sacsquacco wrote: »

Thanks Hengus, I m very interested in that and will definitely try it. I m quite happy sticking the washer on at 6 am etc and I dont mind shifting meal times to suit. Well done BG. When the time of use trial was used in Northern Ireland they ended up preferring it.

Not out yet but Letter of Derogation here valid until the end of the year:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/decision_-_bg_derogation_from_slc22b2bi_redacted_version_30_11_2015.pdf

joncombe

Hengus wrote: »

If you are interested, BG has just got Ofgem's approval to roll out a 5th domestic tariff with Time of Use charging for dual fuel.

And there is the real reason for the push for smart metres (that and "Smart Appliances", that will be linked to smart metres). That and the fact the supplier can cut you off at the click of a button, or switch you to pre-pay mode.

[Deleted User]

joncombe wrote: »

And there is the real reason for the push for smart metres (that and "Smart Appliances", that will be linked to smart metres). That and the fact the supplier can cut you off at the click of a button, or switch you to pre-pay mode.

Yes, its great that suppliers can just stop people thieving from them and debtors on credit meters reaching their , say , £400 credit limit from reaching £2k. They are doing the debtors a favour. I ve actually seen a prepay gas meter with 9ks worth of debt on screen 27, (2k is common ). Of course none of it was repaid and they skidaddled down the street to another house/flat to start again.

Wolf3

The cost of disconnecting a supply is quite prohibitive for the energy companies and the amount of bad debt written of by them contributes to other customers bills.
I'm firmly in favour of the smart meters however i will be waiting for the SMETS2 versions before agreeing to the exchange. It seems ridiculous to have to exchange your smart meters every time you want to change suppliers currently