inhereted a smart meter- no idea how to use it?

bob_the_dinosaur

Hi all hoping someone can help.
Last week I moved house and the previous owner had a smart meter which was unplugged and stuffed in a cupboard.  I have never had a smart meter before so have never considered if they are worth bothering with.
I phoned my supplier, they asked if the meter had a red button (it does not), then does it have a blue button (it does not), they were then confused and asked for a picture of it, which I sent.

As a total novice, is this meter any actual use to me? If so, what is the use?  If I am going to have one of the (limited number of) plug sockets taken up with this thing, I want to know it is serving a purpose rather than a box ticking exercise

[Deleted User]

Hi,

that is not your meter, that is an In House Display (IHD), the reason it was stuffed in a cupboard is because folk get fed up with them after a while.

Gerry1

You're referring to the In Home Display.  The company is probably referring to the smart meter itself, which is fixed to the wall.

An online search should provide some info about the IHD which is essentially a toy that cannot be relied upon, especially if the supply company has been changed since the smart meter was installed.  Just learn how to read the meter on the wall, send monthly meter readings and keep records.

Robin9

What you are talking about is not the Smart Meter but the In House Display. The Smart Meter is the one in the garage or outdoor meter box and it is that meter you need to read - Google is your friend. Some are easy - others like the one that has the keypad are not.

The IHD is a novelty for the first week - by the time you see how the numbers and colours changed when you've switched the kettle on a couple of times you will find a space in the drawer for it.

Hasbeen

bob_the_dinosaur said:

Hi all hoping someone can help.
Last week I moved house and the previous owner had a smart meter which was unplugged and stuffed in a cupboard.  I have never had a smart meter before so have never considered if they are worth bothering with.
I phoned my supplier, they asked if the meter had a red button (it does not), then does it have a blue button (it does not), they were then confused and asked for a picture of it, which I sent.

As a total novice, is this meter any actual use to me? If so, what is the use?  If I am going to have one of the (limited number of) plug sockets taken up with this thing, I want to know it is serving a purpose rather than a box ticking exercise

Put it back in the drawer or like most people in the bin. They are a novelty for a while and are intended to worry you about your usage so you can save energy.

Gerry1

Hasbeen said:

Put it back in the drawer or like most people in the bin.

Absolutely not ! It's not owned by the OP, it has to remain with the property.  In any case, it would need to be recycled, not thrown in the bin and ending up in landfill.

Hasbeen

Gerry1 said:

Hasbeen said:

Put it back in the drawer or like most people in the bin.

Absolutely not ! It's not owned by the OP, it has to remain with the property.  In any case, it would need to be recycled, not thrown in the bin and ending up in landfill.

And they are going to come looking for it LOL. But to ensure your politically correct green credentials are not offended? I will correct that to say OP PUT IT IN A RECYCLING BIN. Or back in the drawer?  

Oh some info here about usage might help OP: 
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5729899/smart-meter-in-house-displays

Gerry1

Hasbeen said:

But to ensure your politically correct green credentials are not offended?

Obviously you know more about gratuitous insults than the WEEE regulations...

Hasbeen

Gerry1 said:

Hasbeen said:

But to ensure your politically correct green credentials are not offended?

Obviously you know more about gratuitous insults than the WEEE regulations...

Sorry!! Gerry it was not intended as an insult ? as I stated that I did not want to offend you? And have stood corrected and said that that the IHD should if the Op decides, be placed in an appropriate recycling bin. So keep calm and do not get to excited by other posters opinions. 

Gerry1

Hasbeen said:

Sorry!!

You're forgiven !