EON want me to have smart meters

brewerdave

Sosumi wrote: »

More generally, I’m also surprised that you don’t call a complete moratorium on installing smart meters until the new SMETS 2 meters are ready. But, perhaps you have a large stock of the older version that you want to unload before they become obsolete? (If that isn't putting it too cheekily. )

Nail on the head !:rotfl:

fredandwilma

Sosumi wrote: »

But, perhaps you have a large stock of the older version that you want to unload before they become obsolete? (If that isn't putting it too cheekily. )

brewerdave wrote: »

Nail on the head !:rotfl:

As a matter of interest, i have the said "older version" apparently, and when i asked if i could have their updated version, (which they have,) i was told i couldn't have this until my "older version" broke, so it seems they are installing "newer versions?"

My "older version" could last my lifetime? :rotfl:

Enterprise_1701C

Firstly I would like to say I am not with EON.

I have questions about smart meters, I have heard things about them and would like to know if they are urban myths or if they are true.

I have heard (from an IT friend) that it is quite possible to hack these meters and turn them off, change rates etc. If my friend can then there is thousands of people capable of it. Are they at least firewalled?

I have also heard that one of the main reasons for rolling these out is that it is easier to cut people off, again this makes me uncomfortable. A while ago we were in a position that we could not pay our bills, we managed to get there over months, but if we were on a smart meter we would probably have lost our services. Again, I want to know what the situation would be in this instance.

And please don't tell me you are rolling them out through altruism, there has to be a lot in it for the energy suppliers.

There is no way I will go for a smart meter until I know they are hack proof and that I wont be cut off because my button is next to the one of the person that hasn't paid (OK, probably a bit simplistic). I am not happy about making my services so accessible to other people. Mistakes happen.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Sosumi wrote: »

No problem at all with that, Malc: it’s abundantly clear that many, even here, have yet to assimilate the facts about this, so you need to keep drip-feeding.

Must say I’m somewhat surprised to learn that to test the inter-communication signal between the two meters your technicians put their transmitter at the electricity meter and the receiver at the gas meter. I would have thought it was more fail-safe to do it the other way round.

I suppose it depends upon whether the electricity meter interrogates the gas meter or whether it simply receives and processes regular signals sent out by the gas meter. Even so...

More generally, I’m also surprised that you don’t call a complete moratorium on installing smart meters until the new SMETS 2 meters are ready. But, perhaps you have a large stock of the older version that you want to unload before they become obsolete? (If that isn't putting it too cheekily. )

Thanks Sosumi. Glad it was useful. I've a bit more information from colleagues in our Smart technical area about the onsite tests I mentioned yesterday.

The electricity meter is the hub of the operation. It stores, sends and receives information. If there's a gas meter, this will send readings to the electricity meter and the electricity meter sends information to the Energy Display and back to us.

With SMETS2, as above (post 25), we're not starting to roll them out until the DCC is live. Before this time, we'll continue with SMETS1. After the DCC goes live, there'll be a mix of SMETS1 and 2 until eventually all will be SMETS2.

Our Smart Meter programme is a rolling development. Since we started, we've used a number of different types of smart meter and have worked with manufacturers to continually improve the quality and capability of the product. A lot depends on when the smart meter was fitted. Earlier meters fitted during the Foundation stage will more than likely lose most of their smart features particularly when changing supplier. Later ones, like the ones we're currently fitting, are more advanced and will look to make use of the DCC to continue as smart after a change of supplier. Ultimately, we're aiming for all smart meters to be SMETS2 but SMETS1 can still be used now.

You're very kind to encourage me to ramble on Sosumi. I know I've a tendency to go on a bit but hope it's of interest.

Malc

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

fredandwilma wrote: »

As a matter of interest, i have the said "older version" apparently, and when i asked if i could have their updated version, (which they have,) i was told i couldn't have this until my "older version" broke, so it seems they are installing "newer versions?"

My "older version" could last my lifetime? :rotfl:

Hello fredandwilma and hope my post above (#77) is of interest.

As I say, not all the smart meters we've installed are the same as we've been continually developing the technology. Depending on when yours was fitted and what type/manufacturer it is, once the DCC is up and running, you may be able to use it as smart even after a change of supplier.

We're not starting to roll out SMETS2 until after the DCC is live.

Hope this is of interest fredandwilma .

Malc

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Enterprise_1701C wrote: »

Firstly I would like to say I am not with EON.

I have questions about smart meters, I have heard things about them and would like to know if they are urban myths or if they are true.

I have heard (from an IT friend) that it is quite possible to hack these meters and turn them off, change rates etc. If my friend can then there is thousands of people capable of it. Are they at least firewalled?

I have also heard that one of the main reasons for rolling these out is that it is easier to cut people off, again this makes me uncomfortable. A while ago we were in a position that we could not pay our bills, we managed to get there over months, but if we were on a smart meter we would probably have lost our services. Again, I want to know what the situation would be in this instance.

And please don't tell me you are rolling them out through altruism, there has to be a lot in it for the energy suppliers.

There is no way I will go for a smart meter until I know they are hack proof and that I wont be cut off because my button is next to the one of the person that hasn't paid (OK, probably a bit simplistic). I am not happy about making my services so accessible to other people. Mistakes happen.

Hello Enterprise 1701C.

I can't speak for other suppliers but, with us, smart meter data is encrypted to the same standards of Government agencies and the banking industry. The programme has involved Government security departments, meter manufacturers, energy companies and security consultants. It's been led by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (now under the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy).

We're only interested in the energy being used. It helps us produce accurate bills and better understand the needs of our customers in terms of future energy requirements.

Remotely disconnecting smart meters is something we don't do.

As I've posted earlier in this thread, smart meters are optional. There are no obligations on customers to have one and they can be refused at any time.

This is all from E.ON's point of view Enterprise 1701C. I can't speak for your supplier and you'll need to talk to them about their take on smart meters. Hope it's of interest though.

Malc

MABLE

I tried to get one but was declined.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Sorry about that Mable. Although we've been installing smart meters across the country for quite a time now, they're not available everywhere yet. It depends on things like the actual area, type of property, the strength of the mobile phone signal and the current metering set up.

Don't worry, unless you've told us differently, now we know you want one we'll be in touch once they're available for your property. When you've a minute, have a look at the smart meter section on our website. Some good information about these meters on there.

Sorry again for the disappointment Mable and have a good weekend.

Malc

Sosumi

MABLE wrote: »

I tried to get one but was declined.

Ironic. We don't want them and yesterday E,ON put a splash on my online account's opening page stating that my meter (sic) was being "phased out" and instructing me (no less) to book an appointment to have (a) smart one(s) installed.

Armed with what Malc has previously stated on here, I rang EON and told them, politely but firmly, that we refuse E.ON permission to install one (any) at our premises.

The guy seemed unfazed by that; said he'd flag our account to that effect and also inform the Smart Meter Team of our decision, to prevent any misunderstandings. Thanks Malc! :T

Mable, you are welcome to have ours if you want them!

[Deleted User]

@sosumi
I've see that and had 3 letters from Eon re:smart meters.
Each letter has less information in it and gets more like "you must" rather than you may.
The 3rd letter from 2 weeks ago did not mention that smart meters are not a legal obligation but did use that phrase "phased out".
Note my meter is reasonable new and has not had its lifespan so the letters are using "tricky, mean words" to confuse people.
I've complained to Eon Malc about this earlier in the year but the tone of the letters is getting worse not better.
It is almost as if some senior executive has to shift a whole warehouse of non DCC compliant meters to get a bonus and is trying every trick to do so.