Compulsory Smart Meters.

Rubidium

boliston wrote: »

I thought the main benefit of smart meters was they would allow cheaper power at periods where demand is lower and people could do things like run appliances (dishwashers, clothes washers etc) when costs are lower. I think each 24 hours can be sub divided into 48 billing periods depending on demand on the grid.

Alternatively the unit price could be increased during periods of peak demand each day, to [STRIKE]encourage[/STRIKE] force users to change their habits to use more energy during off peak periods or pay more if they won't or can't.

Smart meters are not being introduced for the benefit of customers, although we the customers are all paying for them, including the replacement costs of millions of non compliant foundation spec meters!

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

On behalf of mum!

She came home to a letter, from Eon, saying she had to have a smart meter fitted.

Des she have to?

Also how big are they as this seems to be her biggest concern.

Thanks

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

Thanks for confirming what I'd read but wondered if I had missed something.

I'm a little annoyed as the blurb that mum has received states that eon is phasing out our customer's old meters and putting in theses smart meters....giving mum the impression that she HAD to have one.

Obviously these smart meters are only useful as long as you stay with the relevant supplier....so it's a good idea but as usual poorly thought out.

Hello gettingtheresometime and just to confirm, your Mum doesn't have to have a Smart Meter if she prefers not to. It's entirely optional.

We use several different meter manufacturers so the actual size will depend on the type fitted. There are pictures on our website that might give a bit of an idea but they're not to scale so shouldn't be relied on.

Although we're working towards meeting our commitment of being able to offer Smart Meters to all our residential customers by 2020, traditional meters are still available and will be fitted where required. This is also the case where a meter has reached the end of its guaranteed life (statutory change).

Smart Meters aren't available everywhere yet but, where they are and a customer is at the statutory change point, smart will be offered. As I say, they can be turned down and won't be fitted without a customer's agreement.

Sorry the letter your Mum received didn't make this clear but hope this explains.

Malc

System

boliston wrote: »

I thought the main benefit of smart meters was they would allow cheaper power at periods where demand is lower and people could do things like run appliances (dishwashers, clothes washers etc) when costs are lower. I think each 24 hours can be sub divided into 48 billing periods depending on demand on the grid.

My daughter lives in Toronto which has had smart metering for a number of years. Initially, the peak periods were much longer and the peak charges much higher. After massive public protests about higher energy bills (e.g.; kids wanted their tea at teatime not after 9pm), the Government intervened. This is what they have ended up with:

http://www.torontohydro.com/sites/electricsystem/residential/rates/Pages/resirates.aspx

Canada, like the UK, is implementing anything but a smart grid. With more renewables coming on line, it makes sense to offer consumers free electricity if the wind is howling and the sun is shining rather than pay wind/solar generating companies money to shut down their generation. Sadly, our grid hasn't been designed with this in mind because it is an old design being implemented late (and getting later).

System

FWiW, claims of energy theft costing consumers up to £120 per year are somewhat exaggerated. The Gas supply sector appears not to give any estimate of annual theft and the Electricity supply sector figures were last published in 2013 (I am happy to be corrected on that):

Overall, there are around 25,000 cases of electricity theft each year, costing customers £200M, or the equivalent of £7 each a year. Up to a third of the electricity stolen goes to heat premises used to grow cannabis, Ofgem said. The regulator is proposing new rules to reduce the instances of theft, with fines for suppliers who do not comply.

To put this into context, it was announced today that electricity bills will rise this year by £7 just to keep the lights on.

Samsays

see the web site
stop smart meters org uk

System

Samsays wrote: »

see the web site
stop smart meters org uk

I have never looked at that particular website and I have no wish to do so now. I will though correct myself as I have now found a later estimate of the cost of energy theft which equates to £20 for every UK household which is a 1/6 of the amount alleged above:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/09/18/energy-suppliers-share-data-to-catch-electricity-and-gas-thieves/

System

Hengus, the Boss of BG Revenue Collection Unit came on BBC TV a couple of years ago when the BBC did a program following their men on the job and he stated categorically that the figure per household was £60 a year and you can double that with an amount loss to bad debt. Now if YOU want to call that man a liar because you have cobbled up some figure from an "expert " then its up to you if you want to commit slander on an internet forum.You really do need to get a grip and butt out of anti smart lies on here.
David P24 ! you need to realise that I am NOT making accusations of theft I am making a statement of FACT ! . I find enough scumbags nicking gas and electric in my job as meter reader for British Gas to know the truth and I m not ashamed about publicising it .Indeed I ve come home this afternoon to receive some new work after discovering yet another example of Theft of Gas in a prepayment meter not two hours ago at a property with a new tenant who finally let me have access to the meters.

System

House_Martin wrote: »

Hengus, the Boss of BG Revenue Collection Unit came on BBC TV a couple of years ago when the BBC did a program following their men on the job and he stated categorically that the figure per household was £60 a year and you can double that with an amount loss to bad debt. Now if YOU want to call that man a liar because you have cobbled up some figure from an "expert " then its up to you if you want to commit slander on an internet forum.You really do need to get a grip and butt out of anti smart lies on here. .

I am only referring to an article in the Daily Telegraph (with an appropriate link for you to read if you can be bothered to do so). I suggest that you complain to the Daily Telegraph if you disagree with the content of the article.

FWiW, the experts at your much loved British Gas appear to be at odds with your assertion as well. From Centrica's website:

The industry estimates that a whopping £400 million worth of gas and electricity is stolen every year in the UK, a loss that adds around £20 to every honest customer’s bill. It’s an industry-wide issue and British Gas detects 65% of all energy theft cases – more than 10,000 cases a year.

Source (dated May 2016): https://www.britishgas.co.uk/the-source/our-world-of-energy/energy-explained/lauren-bravo-energy-theft

An apology would be nice.

System

PER household was this bosses words and he is in touch with what the losses are rather than official statistics. Don t forget they are mere "estimates " and RPU people are better placed to get the figures. I ve seen other figures which say BG collect over 80% of the total.Just go s to show how utterly abysmal the others are.The little guys are now targeted much more for fiddling as word has got round now that BG are the last ones to go with to steal energy.I do work for Spark and Utility Warehouse and those two beauties are cropping up all the time now with me and my mates with energy theft. Spark are particularly bad because they have a system of commission for letting agents to have their properties on high priced Spark prepay meters.Hence some tenants will feel aggrieved enough to fiddle the meters. My "much loved British Gas " have the moral high ground. They are the ONLY supplier to make a decent effort in stopping theft..and that is THE ONLY one..Dont get me started at how bad the others are. They just allow them to carry on nicking !
The "industry standard " you refer to is false as most of the industry won t /can t measure the huge losses in energy theft Scot Power and EDF do not even try hard to get into properties which refuse to allow their meters to be inspected . Anyone thieving with these two can continue for years and years . Its in their interests to deny whats happening as it will hugely raise their costs to be repaying millions back to the National Grid when they cannot recoup it back from the thief . Energy theft has always been increasing year by year. in the 18 years I ve been a meter reader, word has got round that you re free to steal energy because nothing will be done IF (unlikely ) you happen to get caught. All what happens is a rebilling process..So have a go at stealing, and if you re caught , hand it back and nothing will be said.. That is what is happening in the privatised energy business.
Hengus is more and more operating like the late George Osbourne, architect of "project fear " in the EU campaign. He was reviled by his own party for that tactic and ended up being booted out. Hengus, we know your daughter over in Canada has poisoned you against smart meters because of the possible T.O U tariffs which these meters are capable of , but TOU tariffs will be a good move for all of us especially clued up MoneySavers.

tesst432901

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