Smart Meters - Can Companys Switch you off remotely?

JenniferD

Hi All,

This is my first post so forgive the poor etiquette but I was approached by my energy supplier about installing a smart meter. They gave all the benefits about seeing how much money you are spending etc, which sounds great, but they would need to get someone to install it.

Before I went ahead I was chatting to a friend who said not to because the energy companies had the power to cut people off remotely through this device. Is this true?!

I'm really frugal with my electricity anyway as I don't earn much but I don't know whether the above is true?!

System

JenniferD wrote: »

Hi All,

This is my first post so forgive the poor etiquette but I was approached by my energy supplier about installing a smart meter. They gave all the benefits about seeing how much money you are spending etc, which sounds great, but they would need to get someone to install it.

Before I went ahead I was chatting to a friend who said not to because the energy companies had the power to cut people off remotely through this device. Is this true?!

I'm really frugal with my electricity anyway as I don't earn much but I don't know whether the above is true?!

Hi - welcome to forum. UK smart meters do have a built in facility for remote disconnection by a supplier. However, it is increasingly the view that suppliers will only use this facility in extremis having complied with all the legal requirements and having made all the necessary checks. There is no suggestion that staff in customer services will be allowed to disconnect meters at will just to encourage people to pay their bills.

JenniferD

Thank you Hengus.

I have never not paid an electricity bill I'm very timely (although I still pay quarterly rather than DD!)

I'm really frugal so I don't see the benefit to me and don't like the thought of them being in control of my energy in this way! They seemed quite persistent about getting one installed, I don't HAVE to have one do I?

Thanks

matelodave

What happens if you dont put any money into a PayGo meter - does it still give electricity or does it shut off when the money runs out.

What about gas - does that still deliver gas if there's no money in it.

If they dont, is that any different to a smart meter being shut off if you dont pay. It's got to be cheaper to shut it off and reconnect remotely than you having to pay for somewone to come and break-in to do it.

System

JenniferD wrote: »

Thank you Hengus.

I have never not paid an electricity bill I'm very timely (although I still pay quarterly rather than DD!)

I'm really frugal so I don't see the benefit to me and don't like the thought of them being in control of my energy in this way! They seemed quite persistent about getting one installed, I don't HAVE to have one do I?

Thanks

The Government requires all suppliers to offer their customers a smart meter by 2020 but you have the right to say ‘no thank you’.

If you change your mind, wait until next year when the new generation smart meters become available. These meters link to a central hub not individual suppliers. You can switch at will and the meter will remain smart.

House_Martin

matelodave wrote: »

What happens if you dont put any money into a PayGo meter - does it still give electricity or does it shut off when the money runs out.

What about gas - does that still deliver gas if there's no money in it.

If they dont, is that any different to a smart meter being shut off if you dont pay. It's got to be cheaper to shut it off and reconnect remotely than you having to pay for somewone to come and break-in to do it.

Both meters of course , shut off once the emergency credit runs out. When the meter is credited the user will then owe a small sum of emergency credit which is £5 or £6, Eon is £6 BG is £5
That would be heaven to many if the meters still delivered gas and electric without paying for it,many would just continue for years accepting free energy.
Tampering with prepayment meters is the norm in certain areas, one street in Sheffield was found to be around 33% tampering from a survey of 20 houses in Dundas Rd Sheffield after number 121 blew up due to alleged bypass of the gas meter with a rubber hose.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25718447
Occupiers who are suspected of tampering meters face a bill of approx £250 to "break in " to a property by means of a Court Warrant (£150 ) and a locksmith fees (£100 ). And they pay these costs which are added to the debts on their prepay meters.They also pay for a new prepayment meter, over £200 for the electric smart key meter if the occupier had bypassed the meter.
A remote disconnect will save these thieves £250. Its a.bargain and suppliers of course should have this power to remotely disconnect
.If the occupiers are known to be bypassing meters ( eg by a meter reader visit ), it is highly dangerous to both the occupiers and the neighbours with the dangers of electricity meter fires and gas explosions

Michaelw

Smart meters: can energy suppliers (or hackers) turn off my supply remotely?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/ask-a-money-expert/smart-meters-can-energy-suppliers-hackers-turn-supply-remotely/

They do have instant access to your supply this gives rise to many types of situations that could possibly arise.Dont expect to pick up the phone and have what you request respected. I have had mine to be switched back to prepayment denied because I would not let a meter reader into every room to look for non existing gas meters.calling held hostage might seem appear a little exaggerated but it certainly feels that way at times its very one sided in reality.

I will be contacting the prepayment department regarding having these meters removed and revert back to standard card/key type that way there will be no more of this nonsence with people dictating what my meter does or not do from a call centre at an unknown location.

House_Martin

Michaelw wrote: »

Smart meters: can energy suppliers (or hackers) turn off my supply remotely?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/ask-a-money-expert/smart-meters-can-energy-suppliers-hackers-turn-supply-remotely/

They do have instant access to your supply this gives rise to many types of situations that could possibly arise.Dont expect to pick up the phone and have what you request respected. I have had mine to be switched back to prepayment denied because I would not let a meter reader into every room to look for non existing gas meters.calling held hostage might seem appear a little exaggerated but it certainly feels that way at times its very one sided in reality.
I
I m baffled by your assertion you do not have a cad gas meter in your property

I will be contacting the prepayment department regarding having these meters removed and revert back to standard card/key type that way there will be no more of this nonsence with people dictating what my meter does or not do from a call centre at an unknown location.

They will credit check you, and if you are deemed a high risk, sorry, you re staying on at prepay.rates at slightly less than standard variable tariff.which is an insult to those who are paying SVT at a higher rate..
just think yourself lucky YOU are not paying the true price of prepayment meters .They are subsidised down in price and have been for many years.
The rest of us are paying extra for the high risk unreliable payers who put their energy bills below their smartphone monthly bills.
I have never heard of any supplier bowing to the whims of an occupier and removing a smart meter.
If you really demand this then expect to pay "the going rate "of around £200.
That is the price that Scottish Power used to charge for a requested exchange of a meter

Norman_Castle

I have never not paid an electricity bill I'm very timely (although I still pay quarterly rather than DD!)

Look into other payment methods. They could be cheaper.

Michaelw

House_Martin wrote: »

They will credit check you, and if you are deemed a high risk, sorry, you re staying on at prepay.rates at slightly less than standard variable tariff.which is an insult to those who are paying SVT at a higher rate..
just think yourself lucky YOU are not paying the true price of prepayment meters .They are subsidised down in price and have been for many years.
The rest of us are paying extra for the high risk unreliable payers who put their energy bills below their smartphone monthly bills.

Many people don't understand why prepayment is in many ways better for some simply because of budgeting.British Gas did credit check me but I found the unit rate higher then prepay as much as 30p a day.Now I face the prospect of my credit rating damaged and paying £50 plus a month for low usage this will not continue as I am on benefits.It would be cheaper to eat out if this continues.

This smart meter will go and it won't be coming back.

I have read many times here that energy suppilers "are" increasing someones direct debit sounding like they are in control of someones bank account,many cannot afford to face this type they are in charge behaviour,simply they are not,people need to take back control.

For many years there was no credit checks and very little need for them however competion hasn't worked.

PhilE

No, you don't have to have one.

What these smart meters can do and will be able to do, no one knows. Its only recently that people are catching on to the fact that smart TV's are watching them and listening to their conversations.

Basically, as soon as something gets connected to the internet, its prone to all sorts of hacking, spying and unscrupulous activities from companies and governments.

There's also increased electronic pollution, as its connected to mobile internet which has potentially negative health consequences.

My advice is to never get a smart meter.