Smart Meters - Ask me anything!

graham47

My current deal with OVO is coming to an end.
Before I look at other tariffs I want to check what my SM will do.
Appreciate it might not ‘talk’ to my new supplier, but will it still ‘talk’ to the IHD in my house, if only to give M3 for gas ?
Reason being my gas meter is in an external cupboard, very low down, and no way I can get down to read it.

Ninko

I've had my smart meters for a few months now, but when I look up what tariff I'm on, it's just a blank screen, it's never shown the tariff I'm on as far as I'm aware. What could be wrong?

Thanks

Terry98

Ninko wrote: »

I've had my smart meters for a few months now, but when I look up what tariff I'm on, it's just a blank screen, it's never shown the tariff I'm on as far as I'm aware. What could be wrong?

Thanks

Assuming your Smart Meters were fitted via your current supplier I would contact them and ask them what is going on.

Have you had a bill since the smart meters were fitted? If not ask them why.

[Deleted User]

Ninko wrote: »

I've had my smart meters for a few months now, but when I look up what tariff I'm on, it's just a blank screen, it's never shown the tariff I'm on as far as I'm aware. What could be wrong?

Thanks

Nothing is wrong with the "smart meter " but something is wrong with the free gift which came along with it . That is called an IN HOUSE DISPLAY..You and the national press and millions of others appear to be mixing the two up.
Take my advice, save a smidgen of energy and either stick it in a cupboard or the bin. The smart meter itself resides in exactly the same spot as your old meter
Your tariff is available in seconds if you log onto your account or better still download the suppliers App to your phone. This out dates the old free gift and makes it even more useless

Chino

Houbara wrote: »

Nothing is wrong with the "smart meter " but something is wrong with the free gift which came along with it . That is called an IN HOUSE DISPLAY..You and the national press and millions of others appear to be mixing the two up.

Whereas you appear to be missing the point that the "IN HOUSE DISPLAY" is in integral part of the smart meter concept.

[Deleted User]

Chino wrote: »

Whereas you appear to be missing the point that the "IN HOUSE DISPLAY" is in integral part of the smart meter concept.

" Integral " dictionary meaning..essential, basic, fundamental,necessary.. None of those meanings apply to the IHD when it relates to the operation of a smart meter..try another meaning ! .
My anecdotal evidence entering homes for 20 years as a meter reader I would guess that 99% of smart meter users have either plugged it in a for a few weeks and then thrown it out, as I did, or stuffed it away as a dust gatherer. Many new smart meter installs don t even come with a IHD . Virtually no one uses them IMO

Once a supplied IHD breaks down, as it surely will, I doubt that a supplier will replace it because it needs a visit from a meter reader/engineer/fitter to pair it up and that is too expensive
The suppliers Apps are better and use less energy

Mister_G

Houbara wrote: »

My anecdotal evidence entering homes for 20 years as a meter reader I would guess that 99% of smart meter users have either plugged it in a for a few weeks and then thrown it out, as I did, or stuffed it away as a dust gatherer. Many new smart meter installs don t even come with a IHD . Virtually no one uses them IMO

Once a supplied IHD breaks down, as it surely will, I doubt that a supplier will replace it because it needs a visit from a meter reader/engineer/fitter to pair it up and that is too expensive
The suppliers Apps are better and use less energy

Well, I must be in the 1% then. I've had a Pipit 500 IHD since my smart meter was fitted by Ovo back in 2014. It's still going strong and I find it very useful to see my consumption and to get my meter reading to give to my supplier. And before you ask, yes it does agree with the meter itself.

There is no expenditure information anymore due to changing supplier every year, but it's very easy to work out, should I want to.

Ninko

Also, in settings, does anyone know what the setting "Power Level" does?

Thanks

PennineAcute

So even if your figure of 99% is correct, then do not mock the other 1% who use it for its purpose. I find in invaluable for keeping track of my usage, which allows me to check my DD is on target.

Maybe one day, it will break. Then I will have to go back to the old fashioned way of keeping track of my usage. However, as long as it serves its purpose for people who want it, leave your 1% of people alone.

Edit - as my meters are now dumb, please tell me how using an app would give me any information.

[Deleted User]

PennineAcute wrote: »

So even if your figure of 99% is correct, then do not mock the other 1% who use it for its purpose. I find in invaluable for keeping track of my usage, which allows me to check my DD is on target.

Maybe one day, it will break. Then I will have to go back to the old fashioned way of keeping track of my usage. However, as long as it serves its purpose for people who want it, leave your 1% of people alone.

Edit - as my meters are now dumb, please tell me how using an app would give me any information.

Whos mocking anything ? Just imparting my extensive knowledge of the real world out there of a UK population who could nt give a monkeys about their utility bills just so long as the estimate is somewhere near the correct usage.
I m a big fan of working smart meters myself which by and large would keep this population out of debt and a force fitting of a prepayment meter to recover the extensive money owed which are racked up by people who like the look of a low estimated monthly direct debit.
.Something I ve been reading about on here for years on the Energy board and still am every day

I ve only seen the British Gas app for Apple/Android , which can be used by any account holder and not just for smart meter users. You can add latest readings , see your bills, and pay them.. Thats quite useful I would think . Personally I just use an accurate yearly kwh s usage and stick a reading in a few times a year and don t get too fixated on day to day usage.