Smart Meters

MothballsWallet

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

Hello MothballsWallet and thanks for switching to us.

We're installing smart SMETS2 meters wherever we can (approx 85% of all smart meters we put in). These are made by either Landis & Gyr or EDMI.

There are certain situations where it's not possible to fit SMETS2 right now. This is mainly down to signalling issues or local difficulties. In these cases, until we've sorted the issues, we're continuing to offer SMETS1. These will then be upgraded later this year, so they're managed in the same way as SMETS2. The make of SMETS1 meters we're using are Landis & Gyr, Elster and Secure Liberty. There's no need for a return visit as the upgrades are done remotely.

We won't be able to guarantee whether we're able to fit SMETS1 or 2 when appointments are booked as it depends on the circumstances technicians find when they're on site. As I say, wherever possible, it'll be SMETS2. Our technician will go through everything when they arrive and you're free to abort the installation if you're unhappy with any aspect of it.

Hope this is useful MothballsWallet. Let me know if you need any more information as happy to help.

Malc

Thanks for the info, Malc - I'll keep that in mind once the switch is done and I get contacted

blanik

molerat wrote: »

You will save £100 if you have a smart meter. You can charge your car overnight cheaply using renewable energy if you have a smart meter. You will also be saving the planet. It must be true because the director of SmartEnergy GB said so on BBC Breakfast this morning. Who knew that by simply changing your electric meter we could do all that. I can't figure out why the ASA has not had them gagged, if any other company had been peddling so many lies they would be in serious trouble. I wonder how many additional Kg of CO2 the smart meter rollout has consumed.

I have a smart meter.

I have saved nothing by looking at my IHD.
I have saved money by switching to an off-peak tariff to charge my car overnight, my suppler can offer this because of the 1/2 hour metering by smart meters.

BBC were not any better - the interviewer repeatedly quoted ( or mis-quoted ) the Uswitch report saying if you have a SMETS1 meter you will be "Tied to one Supplier".

Edit - and also asked something like - We are being told to switch but how can we do that if the meter ties us to one supplier, the spokemans answer was wait for the DCC fairy to arrive!

zeupater

blanik wrote: »

I have a smart meter.

I have saved nothing by looking at my IHD.
I have saved money by switching to an off-peak tariff to charge my car overnight, my suppler can offer this because of the 1/2 hour metering by smart meters.

BBC were not any better - the interviewer repeatedly quoted ( or mis-quoted ) the Uswitch report saying if you have a SMETS1 meter you will be "Tied to one Supplier".

Edit - and also asked something like - We are being told to switch but how can we do that if the meter ties us to one supplier, the spokemans answer was wait for the DCC fairy to arrive!

Hi

:think: ... so, the point being made is that since the introduction of smart metering technology the suppliers can start to offer lower electricity prices in the 7 to 10 hours when overnight demand is well below supply capabilities as a means to encourage consumers to shift demand? .....

Brilliant idea!! ... Apart from needing well north of £15billion worth of investment in expensive & cutting edge (okay, so ~25 year old, cheap & well tested!) technology, I wonder why nobody thought of it earlier? ... Maybe someone with a keen mind working in a marketing department somewhere will soon coin the phrase 'off peak' and start to advertise these periods of supply of comparitively economical energy supply with an appropriate acronym based, for example, on the letter 'E' for economy .... whilst speeding ahead on this brilliant thought train, there's the totally awesome concept of adding the period of supply into the acronym, so seven hours of supply could be referred to as 'E7', with ten hours being 'E10' !! .....

With all of these bright ideas based on leveraging 'cutting edge' technology to save the consumer money, it's a good thing that we're spending so much money to deliver what has never been possible before ....

... :think: ... :idea: ... wait a minute, doesn't E7 sound familiar! .... :doh:

HTH
Z

Christianwade1971

I've seen some old posts about 5 terminal meters and instalation but nothing recently. I'm with Bulb and waited ages until they could arrange installation. I answered all the pre visit questions to the best of my knowledge. When the engineer came last Friday he advised he couldn't do it because we had a 5 terminal meter. (whatever that is) does anyone know if any providers can currently do what we need and install?

Nick_C

zeupater wrote: »

Hi

:think: ... so, the point being made is that since the introduction of smart metering technology the suppliers can start to offer lower electricity prices in the 7 to 10 hours when overnight demand...

E7 and E 10 were appropriate when almost all our electricity was produced by burning coal, and Power Stations were producing electricity at night when no one wanted it. The peaks and troughs in supply and demand were predictable.

Most of our electricity is now being produced from renewables. The wind and the sunshine are not as controllable as burning coal.

Half hourly charging periods will allow retailers to offer cheap rates at unexpected times to use surplus electricity. If you get a text from your supplier saying you have half price electricity for the next two hours, you might put the washing machine on or charge your electric vehicle. You couldn't do that with an old E7 meter that s just based on the time of day.

In time, the text will be a direct message to your smart appliances.

Your supplier could decide the best time of night to charge your electric vehicle, spreading the load more evenly.

I expect we will also see tarrifs that apply surcharges, up to a cap, when demand is high.

Gerry1

Nick_C wrote: »

I expect we will also see tarrifs that apply surcharges, up to a cap, when demand is high.

They're here already, up to 41.94p/kWh. But don't tell anyone on the forum, you'll be accused of 'ridiculous scaremongering' !

gmd06

Was due to get a smart meter installed today with EDF.

The appointment has been a month in the planning. Regular updates and reminders. Engineer then failed to show during the allocated 2 hour slot. EDF then cancelled the appointment but never told me.

I now have to re-schedule the appointment and first available slot that is suitable is another month away.

Don't think I'll bother. Mind is made up that I will leave EDF at end of the contract after only being a customer for a month and a half.

Nick_C

You are entitled to compensation for the missed appointment. Used to be £30

gmd06

Yeah. The customer service person, who was very helpful, told me this but caveat was only if it was their fault. I can't see who else would be to blame so expecting £30 in compensation.

Nick_C

jeepjunkie wrote: »

Do you also have a notepad beside your phone noting dates and times of phone calls?

Or even manually measuring water consumption.

These simple comparisons show what a mess the energy market is.

Cheers

I pay a fixed monthly fee for phone calls.

I have taken all reasonable steps to reduce my water consumption. It would be nice to have a smart water meter and get better data on usage. I rarely read my water meter though. It's too difficult.

But my energy use is controllable and the data is readily available. Monitoring usage and seeing the effects of doing things differently has helped me to reduce my energy use and save money.

I'm passionate about not wasting money. There is a web site and forum for people who share this passion...