Smart Meters

brewerdave

oldandwizend said:

Having read and commented on a number of issues on this forum perhaps there is a simple answer.
One tariff for all, quarterly bills paid on demand and calculated by actual independent meter readings (with the 'Covid effect' there will be plenty of unemployed available to do the job).
Hang on a minute, would not that just equate to nationalisation??? We've already tried until some kind(!!!) sole put an end to it.
At least we would then own our own energy suppliers rather than a fair number (particularly Big 5/6) being foreign owned.
If only life were that simple!

As an old cynic who remembers the nationalised industries in the 60s and 70s, I would hazard a guess that life might be simpler ...but a damn sight more expensive !!!   

oldandwizend

brewerdave said:

oldandwizend said:

Having read and commented on a number of issues on this forum perhaps there is a simple answer.
One tariff for all, quarterly bills paid on demand and calculated by actual independent meter readings (with the 'Covid effect' there will be plenty of unemployed available to do the job).
Hang on a minute, would not that just equate to nationalisation??? We've already tried until some kind(!!!) sole put an end to it.
At least we would then own our own energy suppliers rather than a fair number (particularly Big 5/6) being foreign owned.
If only life were that simple!

As an old cynic who remembers the nationalised industries in the 60s and 70s, I would hazard a guess that life might be simpler ...but a damn sight more expensive !!!   

The problem with the 60s and 70s was that there was too little control and too much power in certain hands. When it comes to utilities and the changes in supply sources, technology and greater accountability one would hope not! Doubt we will ever know.

carl.waring

AquaCaro said:

carl.waring said:

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.

Thanks I am just getting all the information together before I call them/EON. I spoke to CABx and they said that it is common for peoples bills to go up after having a smart meter fitted. I am waiting for CABX to call me back with further advice.  I know some of you wil say this is more accurate readings. But I took regular readings from meters. I think that in itself is strange in my case the house is onlly 10 years old.  My direct debit has been increased already.  but to suggest that my direct debit needs to go up by £30 a month is in my opinion(with no significant increase in appliances etc apart from Covid19 stay home) a bit to much. 
@ Gerry - I have taken actual readings. The smart meter readings online make no sense at all . I have also  worked out that I can probably reduce by biills when I switch. Im looking at Yorkshire Energy which is one of the cheaper companies and doesnt require a smart meter....
I have read all thee comments about smart meters posted recently and it is very interesting. My opinion it is a waste of time and money. An opportunity to hike up prices by making the bill process even more complicated.  

as an aside at one point the said that the banks would never treat their customers badly er hello - PPI??. 

Interesting debate. thanks everyone.  

Only if they're usually billed on estimates which are lower than actual usage. The CAB should be careful of the advice they give people so as to not give the wrong impression.

Roger.Wilco

sparrowhawk123 said:

Lets leave any possible surveillance, security or hacking issues to one side (you obviously feel there will never be any issues with smart meters on those topics).

The world health organisation have classed RF-EMF as a Group 2B possible carcinogen (there are other health concerns from exposure to RF-EMF,) is it your opinion that smart meters do not emit any RF-EMF or that you consider RF-EMF to not be harmful to anyone or anything.

Every and all electrical items (devices/cables/switches/motors/lights) will be surrounded by an EM Field.  A moving EMF will radiate energy as RF.  The level of energy and field oscillation will dictate the RF frequency and strength. A Scottish Genius James Clerk Maxwell described the RF-EMF phenomenon in 1873. The energy strength gets weaker very very quickly as you move away from the source (energy is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source).

Using a suitable AM analog radio - you can actually "tune-in" to some of the RF generated and listen to it if you wish.  Even something as inconspicuous like the national grid has a distinct sound.  Fun fact: in a previous job decades ago - to work at a particular (other nation's) national grid site - everyone was issued AM radios which were to be always switched-on and worn around one's neck while onsite.  In the case that the "sound" changed or stopped - one was to instantly drop tools and "sprint" (not-run) to one of five underground blast shelters at the site and only reappear when the "all-clear" siren went.

To bring this back to MSE territory - if anyone is worried about RF-EMF - ask an electrician to disconnect all electrical devices including any smart meters and therefore, there will be no need for any electrical energy tariff and the money saved can be put into savings.

Gerry1

Roger.Wilco said:

Using a suitable AM analog radio - you can actually "tune-in" to some of the RF generated and listen to it if you wish.

Wow, that's amazing !  You mean that if I tune to 648kHz AM and listen to Radio Caroline, it's actually coming to me via RF radio?  Should I dig a basement bunker to protect myself from these deadly waves?

Roger.Wilco

Gerry1 said:

Wow, that's amazing !  You mean that if I tune to 648kHz AM and listen to Radio Caroline, it's actually coming to me via RF radio?  Should I dig a basement bunker to protect myself from these deadly waves?

Fun fact: Since 2017 Radio Caroline has been transmitting at a power of 1kW from the Orfordness transmitting station in Suffolk (the same power as a typical home electrical heater) - so no need for a basement bunker. 

Though, 1982-2012 when Orfordness was home to the BBC World Service they had multiple transmitters some with powers up-to 600kW (similar power as used by a small village) - so as a rule-of-thumb if within the antenna guide-wires when transmitting it may just ruin your day.  I'd suggest that during night-time sea mist - the dancing St. Elmo's fire would have been magical to see.

Outside the perimeter fence no need for a basement bunker - but the RF radio reception would be awesome.

To bring this back to MSE territory - Radio Caroline looking at their website would happily accept any donations to pay for their own electrical energy tariff (no giftaid unfortunately).  By listening to Radio Caroline and not watching Netflix/Disney+ you'll be saving money and the savings can be invested.

[Deleted User]

Or just sheild all electrical appliances in your house including the cables.

victor2

Wobbly_Bob said:

Or just sheild all electrical appliances in your house including the cables.

That's not really practical is it? Plus it would stop your router, mobile phone, wireless doorbell etc. from working. Much better to just shield yourself...

carl.waring

Or just buy a new hat! 

[Deleted User]

That looks good victor, but appears to require earthing points being installed all around the house...and the chafing...