NEW: Got questions about energy? Put them to Gary and Andrew from MSE's Utilities team during our energy-themed 'Ask An Expert' event. Check back here from Tuesday 9 August, 12pm
MSE Poll: Energy smart meters: What's your view?

175 Posts



Poll started 6 March 2018
Energy smart meters: Great tech or a pain in the neck?
Over eight million energy smart meters have been rolled out. They automatically send meter readings to your supplier for you, so you don’t have to. Yet many have issues, including the fact that if you switch, they revert to being ‘dumb’ meters.
So what’s your opinion? Please select ALL the options that are closest to your view under the relevant category.
Did you vote? Are you surprised at the results so far? Have your say below. To see the results from last time, click here.
If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.
Thanks!

[purplesignup][/purplesignup]
0
This discussion has been closed.
Latest MSE News and Guides
Replies
What do folk think they have got anyway?
MSE: many of the benefits of a helpful family, without disadvantages like having to compete for the tv remote
Energy Companies are never going to reduce their profits and therefore their shareholder dividends. If consumers use less, they will raise prices and reduce their output to increase profits each year to maintain and/or increase their share price. This is the principle of the stock market. It is naive to think that by reducing your consumption you will reduce your annual cost.
They asked how often I would like the readings to update and gave me 3 options. When the appointment letter came through it says they want to take my readings every half an hour ( which was not the option I chose) so that they can advise me on how to cut my bills. If this means I am going to be inundated with emails from them I shall be extremely cross - I don't want them trying to sell me any money saving gadgets which is what I suspect a lot of this is about.
It would be a terrible shame if you had to go out, all day, due to unforeseen circumstances on the day of the appointment.
At present, E.ON are unable to facilitate the take on of any customers who have a British Gas meter which is set up with a tariff that has discounted or free energy at the weekend.
These meters are incompatible with Eon systems and we are unable to bill these accounts.
So I felt I have had to stay with them. OK i set up a new tariff with them, but at the time of switching to them and they installing the Smart Meter, I asked if it would restrict me switching at the end of the contract , they insisted it would not. Bit of false advertising to me! @MSE I do think you need to make people aware that currently having a Smart Meter installed, can restrict future switching.
The only problem is: Compatibility, we've just switched and therefore we're back to square one, with the new meters and associated smart device (plus their installation) proving to be a great big waste of consumer money.
Please get your act together energy providers, make your kit compatible.... Or maybe do more to keep your customers in the first place!!