MSE Poll: Energy smart meters: What's your view? 6 March 2018 at 5:02PM in Money Saving Polls 42 replies 9K views

Former_MSE_Karl

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.

Click here to vote in the poll

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]

Wizard_of_Id

I've never undertood the hesitation in getting a smart meter because it will revert to a dumb meter if you switch.

What do folk think they have got anyway?

Nullboris

Pretty much a waste of money .. the cost of rolling this tech out, if put towards peoples bills , would be at least £250 , probably closer to £400. The only way its justified is if they start to charge variable pricing eg leccy at 02.00am is dirt cheap but at 18.00pm its higher priced. my heating is included in my rent so its only cooking and lighting. If I get one I'm going to throw it out the Window. Billions wasted .

Tigsteroonie

Wasn't sure whether to answer or not, as I have a dumb meter that used to be a smart meter before we moved here.

andy5241

Good idea, but I'm on my fifth one already because I'm with the Energy Saving Club and they haven't got round to SMETS 2 yet.

stevemul

You are all missing the obvious point!
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.

Juliet_Miles

My supplier, EDF, rang and basically insisted that I have my meters changed. When I explained that I didn't want to as I had gathered (on here) that they only function with the supplier that fitted them I was told that they were replacing all meters and I had no choice. I pointed out that I would probably change supplier when my current deal runs out in 6 months time and they would therefore be wasting their time and money but I was still told they had to do it. There was no point in getting cross with the poor girl on the phone as she was only doing her job of making appointments but it just seems such a waste to me.
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.

aquariass

Had smart meter which failed, but was not informed until I wanted to swap supplier.The company could not tell me how long the meter had been faulty, and that I would have to arrange replacement with my new supplier. I now have a 'dumb' meter and am sticking with it.(until the industry/gov make it compulsory)
:(:(

peachyprice

Juliet_Miles wrote: »

My supplier, EDF, rang and basically insisted that I have my meters changed. When I explained that I didn't want to as I had gathered (on here) that they only function with the supplier that fitted them I was told that they were replacing all meters and I had no choice. I pointed out that I would probably change supplier when my current deal runs out in 6 months time and they would therefore be wasting their time and money but I was still told they had to do it. There was no point in getting cross with the poor girl on the phone as she was only doing her job of making appointments but it just seems such a waste to me.
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.

sharonjg19

I have a smart meter with B Gas. I wanted to switch to Eon but they have refused me, saying:

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.

jrbutler

They're a great idea and give you the ability to pinpoint what is using the most energy in your home and when, also gives a great incentive to help the kids be more energy conscious by showing them what happens when they remember to switch the lights off!!! Also saves the hassle of having to read meters and submit results.

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!!