Smart Meter advertising lies

System

PaulineE wrote: »

They are "selling" both the miss-information and the product.


Just because we don't get billed individually for the Smart Meters, or the cost of installations, there's only one source of funds paying for all this, and that's our energy bills.


You could argue that you might as well get one regardless, as you're paying for it anyway...

We are paying for them but Ofgem has regulated that suppliers are to agree smart meter rollout targets - or be fined - and that communication with customers is regarded as supplier engagement not marketing. If a customer says ‘no’ then suppliers are required to look at other engagement strategies.

Ofgem’s policy on smart meters is here:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/system/files/docs/2018/05/2018.05_open_letter_-_observations_from_rollout_plans.pdf

PaulineE

We had a "Smart Meter" fitted by our supplier (Power NI), 3 years ago, just after we installed solar panels. This was so they only have to pay us the amount we actually export and not the fixed 40% of the power generated. However, it doesn't support a remote display.

Do the rules for Smart Meters not apply in Northern Ireland?

Is there a Smart Meter with remote display available for 3-phase domestic supplies?

[Deleted User]

EachPenny wrote: »

That's a welcome change of view, my recollection is you normally talk about IHD's as being useless and best thrown in the back of a drawer or rubbish bin.

Mind you, knowing what appliances are using is one thing, actually changing your use of them is another. There is not much you can do when your washing machine on a 30 degree cotton wash turns your IHD red... other than deciding that going around smelling is better than spending money on washing.

Once they have been in for a few weeks and people have taken notice and learnt from them there is no real point to keep them plugged in constantly for years. In my last property I could nt spare the plug space and I m not much better in my new home.. . They have done their job and probably a month s use is enough. Education about appliances and their running costs is all whats needed. It worked with me when I got my first smart meter installed from BG many years ago and I have nt forgot it.

PaulineE

Why do "the powers that be" think it makes sense to limit the power rating of domestic appliances, as a way to reduce overall consumption?


For example, my old 3kw kettle takes exactly the same amount of power to boil a litre of water as a new 2kw kettle, it just does it in (about) 2/3rds the time.


Surely they should be less concerned about the wattage of the device, flashing red on a Smart Meter, and educate users to only half-fill the kettle when only making two mugs of tea.

Carrot007

PaulineE wrote: »

...
However, it doesn't support a remote display.
...
Is there a Smart Meter with remote display available for 3-phase domestic supplies?

Well a domestic polyphase meter is a rare thing.


As such as far as I am aware there are no smart meters that will support it.


You will have been fitted an AMR meter I assume. Which has been standard for business's since 2009ish. They do not support remote diplays. Which are TBH optional on smart meters anyway (they do not have to replace them when lost etc (even if you pay))


And yes NI electric is more alligned with ROI than mainland UK. Which makes sense.

PaulineE

It can't be that rare as we have a Landis+Gyr 5219A, which their technical specification* describes as a "Residential Polyphase BS Standard Credit Meter"


How/why does it make more sense for Northern Ireland to be aligned with a different country than the rest of the UK? Let's not take this into another Brexit debate.:eek:


* I can't post the link to the document on their website.

welshmoneylover

Smart meters do not help you to save money, they just make you aware of how much you are using.
It’s part of a plan for utility companies to remotely control your supply. Ie, if you don’t pay your bill and run up a debt, you may be remotely disconnected.

PaulineE

There may be a grain of truth here, as energy suppliers need a court order to enter your home to cut-off the supply, but not to cut you off remotely.

Biggus_Dickus

PaulineE wrote: »

The latest TV advert ( on the U of tube DdcDBDedl4 )*states that "We could save enough energy to power every home in Cardiff, Aberdeen & Manchester for a year, if we all got a smart meter" I paraphrased that to "massive amount"


* Why do I get "Sorry as a new user you are not allowed to post with links. This is done to stop spammers clogging up the site. Please edit your message below to continue." when I've been a member of this forum for over ten years?

I was very keen to get Smart-Meters and I couldn’t wait to have them fitted;

...however, if I’d known that all the energy saved was going to Cardiff, Aberdeen and Manchester perhaps I wouldn’t have been in such a rush.

brewerdave

Biggus_Dickus wrote: »

I was very keen to get Smart-Meters and I couldn’t wait to have them fitted;

...however, if I’d known that all the energy saved was going to Cardiff, Aberdeen and Manchester perhaps I wouldn’t have been in such a rush.

Living here in South Wales, I ,for one, thank you for your generous contribution to reducing my leccy bills!!