Complained to British Gas as I don't want a Smart Meter !

Rosemary7391

agrinnall wrote: »

I can't think of any good reason NOT to have a smart Meter. I don't make much use of the functions on mine but the removal of estimated bills should be of benefit to anyone.

I've not looked into this yet, but I'd take a good look at the software security - in particular the potential for updates after installation - before I had one in my home. I'd rather not have one until it's confirmed that they'll be transferable between suppliers as well.

I don't get estimated bills, I just send a reading to my supplier each month. That takes about 5 minutes. It'll be a long time before a monthly 5 minutes is worth the day waiting in for someone to come change the meter!

agrinnall

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

I've not looked into this yet, but I'd take a good look at the software security - in particular the potential for updates after installation - before I had one in my home. I'd rather not have one until it's confirmed that they'll be transferable between suppliers as well.

I don't get estimated bills, I just send a reading to my supplier each month. That takes about 5 minutes. It'll be a long time before a monthly 5 minutes is worth the day waiting in for someone to come change the meter!

Why do you think OTA software updates would be an issue?

I agree that transferability is something I haven't confirmed yet, and I may need to do it as my fixed term ends soon, but I'd be surprised if it's not allowed.

I'm not sure whether you can arrange installation at the weekend, but I work from home so it wasn't an issue for me.

laineyhen

im soo looking forward to receiving mine

my mum got hers 2 years back


she can see how much she spends daily

she loves it

when im there im learning how much the various appliances we have actually cost to run


im thinking its goinna b very useful for my
online gaming family
laundry in winter etc


saying that
our estate dont have superfast broadband yet
so i wont hold my breath lol

martinthebandit

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5580690

agrinnall

laineyhen wrote: »

saying that
our estate dont have superfast broadband yet
so i wont hold my breath lol

It's irrelevant as the meter doesn't use broadband for it's communications.

pappa_golf

my meters dumb

all my screwdrivers are cordless

I hate british gas

its cold and its wet


(this is the vent forum?)


PS get a smart meter and wrap it in silver foil , that will confuse it

Ilona

BG wanted me to have a smart meter, I said no thanks, don't need one. Single occupant I know from common sense which appliances use more electricity than others. They fitted an ordinary meter, Not long after that I moved to another supplier, (three years ago) very happy with them, I email my readings in monthly. I get a quarterly bill which even when estimated is very close to the actual cost.

The meter reader came this morning, I said I had already emailed them, he said they have to by law come and see the meter every six months. Maybe that will change when everyone has a smart meter.
Ilona

DoaM

6 months? I thought it was 2 years?

This link seems to support my belief.

macladd

smart meters.......as far as I am aware,

One companies meter may not be compatible with another company thus limiting your choice should you decide to switch.

They still have not sorted out the data network so some areas customers cannot get one as the meter cannot send the data back due to no signal.

The meters may be vulnerable to being hacked, there are still Industry concerns surrounding the lack of interoperability which should have been sorted out prior to the first installation.

The biggest concern for me is the introduction of time of day tariffs, THIS (IMHO) is the real reason the smart meters are being rolled out. Once most consumers have them, you will see energy companies falling over themselves to push everyone onto time of day tariffs, energy will become VERY expensive at the traditional high demand periods, and then cheaper at periods of low demand. Now whilst this may suit some people, I have no wish to run my appliances at 3am whilst everyone is asleep, especially a tumble dryer.

Instead of decent investment in the grid/power generation to make the grid smart and future proof the generation capability to keep the lights on we are witnessing yet another incompetent project, namely smart meters. So before you have one of these shiny new meters installed and marvel at the glory of being able to see what you are using, think very carefully about the other side of smart meters. I don't have a smart meter, I do not want one, I will not have one until they are mandatory and I have no choice in the matter.

In a few years time they could charge you 3 times more to cook your dinner just because they can, oh and just wait until Energy Companies "new" computer systems start switching people off in error and the fight that will ensue to get switched back on because that is another fab feature of smart meters. They will no longer have to break into your house to physically cut the supply, the supply can be disabled remotely via a signal to your smart meter.

pimento

I have one. It means I don't have to go into the garage every month to read my own meter. It also came with a usage monitor but the only place in the house where it can pickup a signal is the lobby so zero use to me.