Smart Meters

Gerry1

carl.waring said:

Which is irrelevant as Smart Meters don't use the mobile network. It's more like Zigbee or similar systems. ie They use their own.

Telefónica seem to think their O2 mobile network is used in the south and central areas...

Mister_G

Gerry1 said:

carl.waring said:

Which is irrelevant as Smart Meters don't use the mobile network. It's more like Zigbee or similar systems. ie They use their own.

Telefónica seem to think their O2 mobile network is used in the south and central areas...

Correct!

plus 1 character!

carl.waring

Oh okay. 🤷‍♂️ Happy to sit corrected 🙂

[Deleted User]

Bubba_Shaboo said:

QrizB said:

London_Millenial said:

Thanks for your reply. That company doesn't have any stock in at the moment. Can anyone else recommend any IHDs that are relatively well priced?

If you don't mind a bit of a gamble, there are IHDs for sale on eBay at bargain-basement prices. You will then have to ask E.ON to pair it to your smart meter (something they can do, but a relatively unusual request so CS might need it explaining to them).

In this scenario would the pairing be achieved remotely or would an engineer be required to attend?

IHDs can be added to the comms hub by the DCC with a request from the supplier or ANOther Registered DCC User.  Personally, I doubt that E.oN will be interested in taking this forward but there is no harm in asking.

Dandytf

SP I assume SMETs 2 installed yesterday evening.
How soon can I expect to view Eco 7 meter reads.
I can flick through various options on display and Meter and view various costs.

thanks

Jim431

I expect to get a smartmeter installed when my fixed tariff comes to an end but I don't understand what advantage there is having a smartmeter apart from automatic meter readings.

The advertisng says that smartmeters save energy but go on to say you have to switch something off. I already switch off everything not being used - so what is different ?

The other thing is they seem far more complicated than at present. Don't they use more energy than the existing meters and what does that cost per year ?

Are there batteries to replace ?

Thanks

[Deleted User]

Jim431 said:

I expect to get a smartmeter installed when my fixed tariff comes to an end but I don't understand what advantage there is having a smartmeter apart from automatic meter readings.

The advertisng says that smartmeters save energy but go on to say you have to switch something off. I already switch off everything not being used - so what is different ?

The other thing is they seem far more complicated than at present. Don't they use more energy than the existing meters and what does that cost per year ?

Are there batteries to replace ?

Thanks

Yes, smart meters use energy but the good news is that it comes from the unmetered side of your supply. Smart meters will not save you any money; however, they will give you access to time of use tariffs. We can expect to see more of these over the next few years. I also get very detailed consumption data in 30 minute blocks. In future, price comparison websites will, with your permission, access this data to select the cheapest time of use tariff for your usage. The grid operators also get valuable data from your supply. For example, the meter monitors grid voltage and your DNO can access this information. 

Smart meters will form a key part of what is known as a Smart Grid (try searching for more information).

The gas meter is battery-powered. Tye battery has a predicted life of 15 years and the meter will notify you (and your supplier)  when a replacement is required.

Ultrasonic

[Deleted User] said:

Yes, smart meters use energy but the good news is that it comes from the unmetered side of your supply. 

I suspect @Jim431 was thinking of the in home display, which will use a small amount of additional energy that the customer pays for. It's a very small amount though, and the unit can of course just be switched off.

Ultrasonic

Jim431 said:

The advertisng says that smartmeters save energy but go on to say you have to switch something off. I already switch off everything not being used - so what is different ?

The argument is principally that when people see real-time what energy is being used they are more likely to switch things off, or identify what items use the most energy and so choose to use them less, or possibly replace them with more energy efficient models. As you suggest, if you're already doing all of this then I don't believe they will save you energy. Don't totally rule out the possibility that it may still make a small difference to you that you don't expect.

Personally I found no downside of having smart meters installed though, and it does save a small amount of time an effort not having to take and send meter readings. Longer term there may also be indirect benefits to eveyone by virtue making the grid 'smart' as @[Deleted User] referred to.

carl.waring

Plus, of course, all the CO2, and other costs saved, associated with people in cars having to go around manually reading meters for a variety of reasons (including 'must read' and meters read as part of the Priority Services, which they will not have to do for those with Smart Meters.