Government + new technology = Farce

cajef

r2015 wrote: »

Some people have to go outside in the pouring rain to read their meters.

I don't have that problem, I just wait for the rain to stop it always does eventually.

vm2pensioner

UK incorporated EU directives about smart meters in the Energy Act of 2008 even though, as the just-published report confirms, EU directives stated that "roll-outs in member states would be 'subject to assessment', and that if a country found it was not cost effective to roll-out smart meters, then it was free to choose not to do so."

Germany, Belgium and a handful of other EU nations chose not to roll out smart meters, but energy companies here, and a raft of misleading adverts, continue to harangue the public into accepting useless SMETS1 meters, in full knowledge that these don't work properly, so that they may avoid fines for not meeting their quota.

Norman_Castle

r2015 wrote: »

Some people have to go outside in the pouring rain to read their meters.

Oh no, not rain, how do they cope? Personally, I put a coat on.

AndyPK

r2015 wrote: »

Some people have to go outside in the pouring rain to read their meters.

And what about those without smart meters? :rotfl:

oldwiring

r2015 wrote: »

Some people have to go outside in the pouring rain to read their meters.

They, don't have to take the spreadsheet with them surely!
If they can't remember, when they come back out of the rain: Simples, use hand writing.:D

badmemory

And we should also remember that many people with smart meters still find their (original) supplier is STILL not using them. Also when you change your old supplier will have no idea what the reading was when you left (they lose access to it) even though they may have done an automated reading 10 secinds before. So you still won't be able to get at accurate final bill! An absolutely, incredibly expensive, waste of everyone's time, shambles!

sevenhills

Norman_Castle wrote: »

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44903471

"Customers have financed the smart meter programme by paying a levy on their energy bills, while suppliers have frequently blamed the levy for rising costs.
However, the report claimed most of the eventual savings would be made by energy firms, rather than consumers."

"The eventual cost of the programme could even outweigh the benefits"

Nowhere in the article does it mention the cost of reading the meters!
Sure, it costs to install smart meters that sends readings direct to the energy supplier, that saves the energy company money in reduced labour costs, fewer meter reader required.

silverwhistle

vm2pensioner wrote: »

EU directives stated that "roll-outs in member states would be 'subject to assessment', and that if a country found it was not cost effective to roll-out smart meters, then it was free to choose not to do so."

I'm afraid that doesn't meet the requirement to affirm that everything is the fault of the EU. It's worrying that this attitude is so widespread.

When I lived in Italy I didn't have to read the meters and there was a display that told me usage, but more interestingly it also acted as a limiter. It would trip your supply if you went over 3Kw (nominal), 3.3 actual. No point in importing a standard UK electric kettle, I had to buy a low capacity one. You could ask for a 6.6Kw supply but that cost more in an environment where electricity was already expensive. I only inadvertently tripped it two or three times in many years, so at least I got used to being careful.

Now I've got solar I'm still careful but for slightly different reasons.

Smart meters are going to be needed with the advent of electric vehicles purely to avoid the early evening peak. For most EV users it won't be an issue. Switch on using an app or timer at 11/12pm to benefit from cheaper rates. With current ranges this wouldn't even be a daily task. In my case when I eventually get an EV I'd charge as much as possible using surplus home solar during the summer, then let overnight wind take over in the winter.

misterbarlow

They will save everyone a lot in the future, as eventually all suppliers will insist on them as standard, and operate dual pricing, wont have one, fine, we will move you onto a more expensive non-smart tariff then!!

badmemory

misterbarlow wrote: »

They will save everyone a lot in the future, as eventually all suppliers will insist on them as standard, and operate dual pricing, wont have one, fine, we will move you onto a more expensive non-smart tariff then!!

And when that day happens we will hope we have reach a Utopian day when we can change suppliers & the "smart" meters will still work. Not holding my breath - we are still in "couldn't organise a booze up in a brewery territory"