Smart Meters

AquaCaro

@Carl.Waring thanks for your reply. I used to take regularly quarterly readings and updated my account online. (meters easy to locate in my house) I know of a friend who experienced similar after having a meter put in and has subsequently switched company.  her bill did not reflect usage on the meter.  

victor2

AquaCaro said:

Good afternoon.  
I had a smart meter fitted by EON last year. I was told that these were being installed in the area and that all households would have these provided.  I was not told it was mandatory.  
Since the meter was installed. I have noticed a steady increase in bills(charges) 
Due to Covid 19 i have worked from home so would expect some increase in charge. EON have contacted me recently to say that I need to double my direct debit.
I have now reviewed my bills prior to SMART meter being installed and post.  My direct debit more that met the cost of my quarterly bills. I am taking daily readings now on my SMART meeting to review.  However checking my usage on the smart meter I an unable to make comparisons as the units used are different.  It looks so complicated. I am contacing the citizens advice bureau to discuss.as I do not think the usage reflected in my bills is actually what I am using.  
I have read some of the comments on here and see that some of gone onto special rates. I did not go onto a plan I am on a standard plan.  However I was not advised to go onto a plan by the company.  
Anyone have a similar experience? or can offer any advice.  On my experience I would advise people not to get them put in. 

Electricity meters read in kWh and always have. However, it could be that you had an imperial gas meter that was replaced by a metric one. They do report different units, but the formula to convert them to kWh (which is the units you are billed for) will be shown on your statement. It is your usage in kWh you should be comparing to see if it has increased or decreased.

If you are on a suppliuer's standard rate, you will be paying more than is necessary. Contact them to see what tariff they can put you on to reduce your costs, or consider switching to a cheaper supplier - for which you really need to know your annual usage in kWh for each fuel.

Having smart meters fitted will not increase your usage, neither will it save you energy, but it should mean you get more accurate bills.

Were you providing readings regularly before you had smart meters and did you check the old meter readings before they were removed? Were estimates used at any time? If you contact EON, they should be able to tell you why they are proposing to increase your direct debit.

Edit.

Apologies, I repeated a question you've already answered about readings!

AquaCaro

Thanks Victor.  
you mentioned about the reading prior to getting meter removed and unfortunately I did not get this!.(that is a regret!) I received a bill up to day before Smart meter then after.  Ive just gone back and looked an my usuage for previous 16 months. usual pattern higher in winter to summer.  Ive also taken the cost but not the usuage for the last few weeks eg 3.50 this last week!  still doesnt justify EON's suggestion of a £30 a month price increase.
I am speaking with citizen advice and then will call the company.  Most likely I will switch.  

Gerry1

AquaCaro said:

However checking my usage on the smart meter I an unable to make comparisons as the units used are different.  It looks so complicated. I am contacting the citizens advice bureau to discuss.as I do not think the usage reflected in my bills is actually what I am using.

It's pointless to complain when you do not offer any supporting evidence whatsoever: you'll be wasting their time as well as your own.  You need to read the meter(s) on the wall frequently (not the portable toy) and note how many kWh you are using.  The electricity meter will show the kWh readings directly: you need to find out how to display this by reading the instructions you were given or by an online search of the meter make and model.

The same applies for gas, except that you need to convert the volume (cubic metres) to kWh.  This site will do the conversion for you.

You also need to learn how Fixed Direct Debits work.  You might find things easier to understand if you ask ask E.On to change you over to Variable Direct Debit.

pr55

Not sure whether this is the correct forum. But can anyone tell me whether the "usage so far today" cost figures on the smart home display should include the daily standing charge? On my mothers smart home display, the gas usage appears to include the daily standing charge whereas the electricity usage does not. This is confusing. I would expect both usage cost calculations to be consistent - either both include or exclude the daily standing charge.

carl.waring

AquaCaro said:

Thanks Victor.  
you mentioned about the reading prior to getting meter removed and unfortunately I did not get this!.(that is a regret!)

When you had the meter exchange done you should have had a "tag" fitted to your new meter giving various info including the final read of your meter and exchange date. Again, call your supplier as they should have this information anyway.

sparrowhawk123

Re-install an analogue meter - take readings - give readings = no estimated bills!! 

Smart meters increase exposure to harmful RF-EMF radiation (classed as Group 2B possible carcinogen by WHO), potential surveillance and privacy risks, and also a security risk through hacking. You have the right to decide what is installed in your home, do some research, don't just listen to the person on the phone from an energy company, or this post, or any other post. It's your right to decide what you feel should not be installed in the home where you and your family live.

carl.waring

sparrowhawk123 said:

Re-install an analogue meter - take readings - give readings = no estimated bills!! 

Smart meters increase exposure to harmful RF-EMF radiation (classed as Group 2B possible carcinogen by WHO), potential surveillance and privacy risks, and also a security risk through hacking. You have the right to decide what is installed in your home, do some research, don't just listen to the person on the phone from an energy company, or this post, or any other post. It's your right to decide what you feel should not be installed in the home where you and your family live.

BIB. Sorry but this is complete nonsense. And they are no more or less secure than any other similar device.
You are right to suggest doing research but it helps to trust in facts and not BS.

Gerry1

sparrowhawk123 said:

Smart meters increase exposure to harmful RF-EMF radiation (classed as Group 2B possible carcinogen by WHO)

I trust you don't use wifi or a mobile phone?

oldandwizend

carl.waring said:

BIB. Sorry but this is complete nonsense. And they are no more or less secure than any other similar device.
You are right to suggest doing research but it helps to trust in facts and not BS.

Complete nonsense is a bit strong!.

What other 'similar devices' do you have in mind? These are specific to a specific industry that has been proven to be far from open and accurate when dealing with its customers.

I am not interested in having any, what one might term 'intelligent', equipment installed in my house that, as far as is possible, I cannot control.

Also, it would not be the first time that 'something new' where the initial 'facts' from so called experts have turned out to proved inaccurate.