OFGEM should force all supplier to offer this

lava_lamp

Standing charges are comprised of things like meter rental charges and distribution charges that are charged to the energy companies by distribution network operators, and are passed through, usually at cost, to the end user.You'll never get a truly standing charge free tariff.

WoodyMax

I do agree that there should be some cheaper tariffs that do not include a Smart Meter.

Norman_Castle

18cc wrote: »

I have a smart reader but never use the in-house display - for me it provides no useful information

the one and only reason why I have a smart meter is that now NEVER again will I ever have to to get my torch out, read two meters, log in onto an app or internet and enter the readings.

it is all done automatically for me my exact metre readings are sent daily to the energy company. what's not to like

The £420 cost to every customer. Given the option, would you pay £420 to avoid reading your meters, I wouldn't.

RelievedSheff

I'm not sure why you have such an aversion to direct debits or smart meters.

If your direct debit is set to the correct amount you wont end up with a credit or debit balance, or very little one way or the other anyway.

Smart meters give you an instant way to check that your direct debit is on track to provide a zero balance at the end of your term.

The cost of powering the in house display is negligible.

spiro

I don't know why you are pointing the finger at OFGEM in regard to smart meters, it comes from an EU directive.

Norman_Castle

RelievedSheff wrote: »

The cost of powering the in house display is negligible.

They are a waste of resources as the vast majority will end up in a drawer after a few months.
If you plug them in once a week or monthly do you get the information you need?

Talldave

Norman_Castle wrote: »

They are a waste of resources as the vast majority will end up in a drawer after a few months.
If you plug them in once a week or monthly do you get the information you need?

If consumers are happy to have an IHD sitting unused in a drawer in order to get a cheaper energy deal, what's wrong with that?

molerat

Talldave wrote: »

Sorry can't resist- how do companies overcharge if you use LED lightbulbs?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/06/smart-energy-meters-giving-readings-seven-times-high-study-finds/

[Deleted User]

Smart prepayment meters work ! You could switch to , say Nabah and get cheapest prepayment meter rates , same as the credit meter rates , and they are so easy to add credit and top up.
I can see smart prepays taking over now that they have dragged themselves into the next century.
I m tempted myself. No direct debits to argue about .Top up when I fancy etc
The main reason occupants complained about prepay meters is that they were much pricier than the best available credit meter rates..That is ending with smart prepays .
Possibly smart prepayment meter rates of the future will undercut the best credit meter rates . I can t see why not.

Talldave

Houbara wrote: »

Smart prepayment meters work ! You could switch to , say Nabah and get cheapest prepayment meter rates , same as the credit meter rates , and they are so easy to add credit and top up.
I can see smart prepays taking over now that they have dragged themselves into the next century.
I m tempted myself. No direct debits to argue about .Top up when I fancy etc
The main reason occupants complained about prepay meters is that they were much pricier than the best available credit meter rates..That is ending with smart prepays .
Possibly smart prepayment meter rates of the future will undercut the best credit meter rates . I can t see why not.

Note how it's innovative new players who see these opportunities. The dinosaurs in the industry who have been around for years cannot drag themselves away from the "we've always done it this way" mentality.

It's like the Pure Planet app-only approach - it has its downsides and won't suit a lot of people, but it's an innovative approach that's attractive to a significant enough customer base to make it worthwhile.

The industry needs more disrupters - and soon.