British Gas - Smart meter upgrade?

JustAnotherSaver

I'm weary of these 'upgrades' - they're not always for the best. I got a message left on my answering machine from someone with poor English. I couldn't make out what they were saying other than i was to call them & it was British Gas. I heard the word upgrade in there.

So i log on to my account to enter a meter reading & see a message saying about a smart meter upgrade & book my appointment.


What are these smart meters & are they any good or is it best to stay away from them?


I live in a 3 bed semi & currently there's only my wife & I in this house. I say currently - that may or may not change in the near future, we haven't yet decided on if we'll have kids or not but it'll be getting decided fairly soon (in case any of that info makes a difference with these smart meters).

CashStrapped

Many posts on this subject in the forum. You can use the search function.

This is one such recent thread.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5530000

moyper

JustAnotherSaver might like to read/view the information on the stopsmartmeters website, before making a decision. I'm surprised none of this information was mentioned by Martin Lewis (in relation to the MSE Big Energy Switch). There have been many hundreds of reputable studies on the adverse health effects of electromagnetic radiation and microwaves since the early 1980s.

JustAnotherSaver

I'm a bit of an if it ain't broke kind of person.

Usually when I try to fix it - it ends up broken.

brewerdave

Forget the lunacy about microwave radiation & health - the main reason for NOT having one currently, is that they don't remain "smart" if you switch supplier. The utility cos. have a stockpile of old spec. meters which they are desperately trying to shift at the moment.

[Deleted User]

You may as well get one.They are better than ancient old meters and you will allay any fears in the future about the suppliers forcing you to have one.Its a simple rule change by OFGEM to make them obligatory and I think in the near future that will come about to fall in line with most of Europe who don t seem so paranoid about an improved meter.
Florida and California charge refusers a hefty yearly charge. The suppliers here have the right to charge anyone who will not accept these meters.

JustAnotherSaver

Why are they better than old meters?

Is it such a hassle to read off your old meter & enter the details online?

Rubidium

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

I'm a bit of an if it ain't broke kind of person.

You won't want to get one of the [STRIKE]smart [/STRIKE]dumb meters currently being fitted then, because they are not fit for purpose and are far from smart!

Wait until they eventually sort out this humungus mess, suppliers are fitting SMETS2 meters and the DDC network is fully commissioned allowing simple, painless switches between different suppliers.

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

Why are they better than old meters?

Is it such a hassle to read off your old meter & enter the details online?

They are not better and measure to the same accuracy.

JustAnotherSaver

That's that one solved then. No problem as it is so it can stay that way until that's no longer an option.

[Deleted User]

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

That's that one solved then. No problem as it is so it can stay that way until that's no longer an option.

Why on earth did you waste your time coming on here asking about smart meters because you have obviously made your mind up what you are going to do. Nothing is "solved " you had already solved the question.Absolutely no point in you posting..yet another phony anti smart post.

JustAnotherSaver

sacsquacco wrote: »

Why on earth did you waste your time coming on here asking about smart meters because you have obviously made your mind up what you are going to do. Nothing is "solved " you had already solved the question.Absolutely no point in you posting..yet another phony anti smart post.

Wow, someone seems easily upset.

I suggest you take time away from the internet for a while. Probably best to spend it alone. Don't want other people upsetting you by breathing or something. :rotfl: