SMETS2 - Smart Meter Models Recommended? and Switching between suppliers

Highland76

Petriix said:

 Every time someone fits a smart meter a fairy dies we all pay for it through our bills. 

Really? I thought the opposite would be true (cheaper energy tariffs) since suppliers would be getting regular meter readings on time from smart meter customers = accurate bills = energy companies don't have to chase up debt. At the same time some customers using smart meters would be getting a reality check when they notice how much energy their 20 year old Beko tumble dryer is using. Or their 200w halogen bulbs. Or their 80 inch plasma TV. Simply put, please don't assume everyone is energy savvy as you.

Gerry1

Highland76 said:

Petriix said:

 Every time someone fits a smart meter a fairy dies we all pay for it through our bills. 

Really? I thought the opposite would be true (cheaper energy tariffs) since suppliers would be getting regular meter readings on time from smart meter customers = accurate bills = energy companies don't have to chase up debt. At the same time some customers using smart meters would be getting a reality check when they notice how much energy their 20 year old Beko tumble dryer is using. Or their 200w halogen bulbs. Or their 80 inch plasma TV. Simply put, please don't assume everyone is energy savvy as you.

• Whatever makes you think that accurate bills = energy companies don't have to chase up debt ?  If you're broke and can't pay, an accurate bill won't shake the money tree, you still can't pay.

• A Smart Meter doesn't mean that your monthly payment will reflect your monthly usage.  A Variable Direct Debit doesn't require a smart meter and gives a far faster reality check than a massive Fixed DD increase six months down the line.
• Who do you think pays the c.£475 cost of a smart meter installation?  Customers, via their increased bills !

Highland76

1) I meant customers who give readings say once every 3 years wouldn't be getting bills of say £2000 once accurate meter readings were submitted. Not many customers would be able to cough up £2k in one go. Now if the same customers were getting bills of say £200 each month using a smart meter then they could find out much much sooner why they're using that much energy using the IHD and moderate it accordingly. If someone was genuinely struggling to pay their energy bills they would keep their eye on the IHD 24/7 to minimize the debt, ie not have a carefree attitude to energy use.

2) I meant seeing your real time (live) energy & cost use on the IHD when high energy consuming appliances are switched on/off.

3) What "increased bills"? The cheapest energy tariffs with the big 6 providers usually stipulate that you have smart meters already installed or agree to have them fitted as part of the tariff t&c's. So I would argue the opposite - people are getting cheaper energy as a result of having smart meters fitted. You only have to look at the many threads on MSE where people are complaining of their energy supplier pestering them to get smart meters fitted...yet they want to stay on the low tariffs but WITHOUT getting smart meters fitted. 

Gerry1

Highland76 said:

1) I meant customers who give readings say once every 3 years wouldn't be getting bills of say £2000 once accurate meter readings were submitted. Not many customers would be able to cough up £2k in one go. Now if the same customers were getting bills of say £200 each month using a smart meter then they could find out much sooner why they're using that much energy using the IHD and moderate it accordingly. If someone was genuinely struggling to pay their energy bills they would keep their eye on the IHD 24/7 to minimize the debt.i

2) I meant seeing your real time (live) energy & cost use on the IHD when high energy consuming appliances are switched on/off.

3) What "increased bills"? The cheapest energy tariffs with the big 6 providers usually stipulate that you have smart meters already installed or agree to have them fitted as part of the tariff t&c's.

1. If you can't even be bothered to give meter a readings for three years, why would you bother faffing about plugging in an IHD or changing its batteries?  Far more likely that you'll just pop your IHD into a drawer and forget about it.  And if there are no readings for a while the energy company will just hike the FDD massively, as many complainants to this forum have noticed.
2. You don't need a £475 device to see that the tumble dryer or kettle is on !  And if you really want a toy, a £30 Energy Monitor is far more cost effective, and it won't go dumb when you switch suppliers.
   
3. Everyone's bills are higher than they would be without smart meters, customers are having to pay for this disastrous project because no-one else will, it can't be denied.
   So what if the Big 6 insist on Smart Meters?  Most of the best offers are from smaller companies who don't.

Highland76

Gerry1 please don't judge others by your own standards. The fact that there are loads of threads on MSE where people are complaining of high energy bills proves my point that not everyone is as energy savvy as they should be.  Often - but not always - these are the same people who hardly give meter readings, are paying way too much for energy and having carefree attitude towards energy usage , usually a combination of all 3 factors. It's exactly because of such people that smart meters exist. 

MWT

Gerry1 said:

1. If you can't even be bothered to give meter a readings for three years, why would you bother faffing about plugging in an IHD or changing its batteries?  Far more likely that you'll just pop your IHD into a drawer and forget about it.  And if there are no readings for a while the energy company will just hike the FDD massively, as many complainants to this forum have noticed.

Just in case that comment worries some users, the IHD plays no part in the automatic sending of meter readings to the energy supplier.  ... and they have rechargeable batteries with a mains power supply so no replacing batteries, but there is going to be a need to replace the IHD at some point in the future...

Gerry1

MWT said:

and they have rechargeable batteries with a mains power supply so no replacing batteries

EDF doesn't agree with you !

• "Your in-home display comes with three alkaline batteries. These should not be replaced with any other battery types. When you first use it, remember to remove the battery tab on the back of the display.
  "When disposing of alkaline batteries, make sure you read the supporting product literature, packaging and any information embossed on the product. Some councils collect alkaline batteries as part of your household collection service. In most areas you will need to take them to a recycling centre or a collection point in a supermarket, a DIY centre or even your local shop."

Nor Green Network Energy...

• "You can use three x AAA non-rechargeable batteries to power your IHD. But we suggest only using batteries occasionally, and instead, use the mains power supply."

Nor SSE...

• "Your IHD can also be used with 3 x AAA (LR03) non-rechargeable batteries. Simply remove the back cover and insert the batteries, as marked on the inside case.
  "When operating on battery power, the battery icon will be shown, and the running time is four hours.

QED !