Smart Meter advertising lies

Biggus_Dickus

brewerdave wrote: »

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

...you’re welcome. :money:

charlotte1994

I think I personally would benefit from a smart meter, at the end of my contract with SSE, I got over £100 back in over payments!

brewerdave

charlotte1994 wrote: »

I think I personally would benefit from a smart meter, at the end of my contract with SSE, I got over £100 back in over payments!

Unfortunately, even with the benefit of regular meter readings, some (if not all) suppliers don't use the information in a timely manner to adjust DDs. They stick with an annual or 6 monthly review, so that big credit balances can still accrue!

System

brewerdave wrote: »

Unfortunately, even with the benefit of regular meter readings, some (if not all) suppliers don't use the information in a timely manner to adjust DDs. They stick with an annual or 6 monthly review, so that big credit balances can still accrue!

I agree. Looking back, my most accurate DD adjustments were in days past before switching became the norm. The margin for error when a standard algorithm is used must be huge given that it has to be based on some standard monthly usage assumptions. Individual smart meter user consumption profiling may help refine the DD assessment process provided that the profiles are passed to the new supplier on switch.

Saros2000

I had a smart meter with my former energy supplier. I found it of no use whatsoever in terms of energy cost saving. The only benefit was that it sent the meter readings to the supplier direct, without having to bother with physical or estimated readings. My current supplier, Green Star Energy, has stopped installing smart meters: "Unfortunately as we had large number of complaints regarding meter reads requests at the moment we are not sending them." (Make of that what you will!)
I complained to the ASA in August about the current TV and radio adverts for smart meters, suggesting there is little or no evidence to support the claims that significant savings on energy usage can be achieved. I have still had no response, despite two reminders, leading me to suspect there is collusion between the ASA, the energy companies and the government to continue to promote the infernal devices, despite the lack of evidence for their effectiveness.

[Deleted User]

PaulineE wrote: »

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.

Cutting anyone off in the UK is extremely rare.
In 20 years in the utility business as a meter reader I have only known of a handful of residential meters cut off supply and that was always because of persistent energy theft
We are not like normal countries like USA, France etc when if occupants refuse to pay then its the end of the free lunch.Soft touch UK lets its citizens get away with constant debts which mostly get unpaid to be passed on for the rest of us to pay in higher tariffs.
Anyone on a credit meter who refuses to pay what they owe can be switched remotely onto prepayment meter mode with any debts repayable at an agreed weekly rate. No need for costly court warrants/locksmiths/fitting team ( which the occupier pays for ). I have never heard of anyone being cut off remotely with a smart meter. Smart meters make terrific economic sense

giraffe69

Got an email from Co-operative energy yesterday to say they were about to start installing in my area. Said they would be SMETS2 meters when it happened (which, if true, removes my main objection) and "As you are part of our first phase of installations, look out for an invitation to book your appointment in the coming weeks." So no implication that you have to change as has been suggested by some other suppliers.