Smart Meters

A._Badger

Well this certainly sorts the sheep from the goats, doesn't it? We are encouraged to be appreciative of the bait of lightly massaged tariffs (for how long? Who knows) designed to tempt the consumer into accepting 'smart' meters? Perhaps the mouse should be grateful for the smear of peanut butter on the trap? 
Yes, sooner or later some government dead-set on decimating the country's energy supply may force us to have these contraptions installed. But all the sooner if we just roll over and say 'thank you', The end result will be doing the washing when the wind blows, not when it's convenient.. I can't think of any reason to help tat day arrive.  

Gerry1

A._Badger said:

The end result will be doing the washing when the wind blows, not when it's convenient.. I can't think of any reason to help that day arrive.  

The ultimate end result will be doing the washing when the smart meter says Yes, i.e. at a time when it's not implementing Load Limiting or Load Shedding.

macman

The supplier's primary incentive is to meet the targets that the regulator sets them for installing smart meters. Most suppliers have failed to meet these dates (long before COVID became a factor) and the dates have been moved more than once now.

[Deleted User]

A._Badger said:

jack_pott said:

It's not misleading, but it does mean exactly what it says. You don't have to have a smart meter, but they don't have to offer you the most favourable tariffs, either. They want people to use smart meters because they save money, so they will incentivise customers by passing on the savings.

Really? And how do you suppose smart meters 'save money'?

Er, by saving the cost of a meter reader, of course.

[Deleted User]

jack_pott said:

A._Badger said:

jack_pott said:

It's not misleading, but it does mean exactly what it says. You don't have to have a smart meter, but they don't have to offer you the most favourable tariffs, either. They want people to use smart meters because they save money, so they will incentivise customers by passing on the savings.

Really? And how do you suppose smart meters 'save money'?

Er, by saving the cost of a meter reader, of course.

It is not just the meter reading savings which amount to £3 a meter/ year. Most of the savings come from future costs: ie, with smart metering you will pay less for your gas and electricity than might have been the case without them. All the detail is here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/831716/smart-meter-roll-out-cost-benefit-analysis-2019.pdf

Look at page 63.

Whether you choose to believe the Business Case is matter for you. Remember, for expensive projects, Governments tend to overstate savings to booster the case for a particular project.

twhitehousescat

a smart meter saves the electric companies money , they no longer have to send man to read meter 
when they ammend standing charges (which cover meter readers) accordingly , ie reduce standing charges for people with smart meters , then I might** consider it 

** might , and give them the ability to reset meter to duel charging at peak times , "due to corona virus" 

[Deleted User]

twhitehousescat said:

a smart meter saves the electric companies money , they no longer have to send man to read meter 
when they ammend standing charges (which cover meter readers) accordingly , ie reduce standing charges for people with smart meters , then I might** consider it 

** might , and give them the ability to reset meter to duel charging at peak times , "due to corona virus" 

Yes, smart meters will save energy suppliers and the distribution networks money which should be reflected in lower customer bills. Meter readers per se are no longer required (smart meter or not) as the obligation on suppliers was changed a couple of years ago to one of 'obtaining a meter reading once every 12 months'. Suppliers are still required to carry out safety checks on all meters. 

Our energy bill comprises of a number of elements:

Wholesale Costs of gas and electricity   38%

Network Costs    26%

Environmental and Social Obligation Costs     8%

Other Direct Costs       1%

Operating Costs        17%

Supplier Pre Tax Margin   5%

VAT       5%

(Source: Ofgem)

Yes, all suppliers could reduce their standing charges to Zero but that would just result in higher unit prices. The simple truth is that most suppliers do not make £Ms from their customers. If making a profit was that easy, then suppliers like RHE and Bristol Energy - both backed by Council loans - would not have gone out of business.

twhitehousescat

changing topic slightly , but in 99% of back billing cases , the suplier must have failed to take 12 mthly meter readings? . as required by law , or is the cop out a bit of wet card asking YOU to do there work for them and for YOU to inform them 

oldagetraveller1

I observe the spinning disc in my elect. meter. The faster it turns, the more is being consumed! Now, that's smart. Time to turn of the 10kW space heater in the living room.

t0rt0ise

jack_pott said:

A._Badger said:

jack_pott said:

It's not misleading, but it does mean exactly what it says. You don't have to have a smart meter, but they don't have to offer you the most favourable tariffs, either. They want people to use smart meters because they save money, so they will incentivise customers by passing on the savings.

Really? And how do you suppose smart meters 'save money'?

Er, by saving the cost of a meter reader, of course.

And paying his dole money instead!