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Smart meters not so smart! Or is it me who is not smart?

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  • imeach
    imeach Posts: 178 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    As Verdigris said, those meters are rubbish.
    When we first started reading them it was press 9 for a single rate, and press 6 four times for two rate. Then on one of them it was press 6 four times and then 9.
    Then Utility Warehouse decided for single rate for them, it was press 6 four times rather than 9.
    The fun then comes when someone switches from UW and we read it by pressing 9 
    If only all meters were set up the same and easy for customers to read
  • knightstyle
    knightstyle Posts: 7,228 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Thanks Verdigris and others, it just annoys me that it took two months and lots of emails to get the information from Octopus.  I am now in the process of leaving them and going to British Gas, yes I know they are not perfect but I can at least pay each month for electric and gas actually used and got a years home cover free.
    Plus we will be trying for a grant from them when their boiler scheme restarts in July.
  • After much deliberation, I finally decided to have smart meters fitted, this was when I was with EDF.  The electric meter was apparently submitting readings but the gas never was not and still doesn't.  I struck up several relationships with various Indians who promised to get the problem resolved, promised to have colleagues from various departments call me back and basically promised to get the gas meter sorted.  Of course it never was and so I reached the point of where I decided to change suppliers. So 14 months ago I severed my very long term relationship with EDF and got into bed with Octopus.  My bills have come down from £170 per month to £115 and that has been consistent since I moved to Octopus. However!......   from a financial point of view I'm well happy. Of course now I'm with Octopus and apparently due to covid, I now have to submit not only a gas reading every month but also an electric reading.  So the smart bit of the meter changes in my case is that the energy companies made a smart move which no longer requires them to employ the services of a meter reader because I'm it!  I would not be surprised if the water companies don't catch on and add to my workload by pulling the same  stroke.
  • rp1974
    rp1974 Posts: 760 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Think saving £55 per month would be incentive enough to spend five minutes a month,if that checking meters,tbf.
    These would be the monthly readings I'd be doing anyway,smart meters or otherwise,seems many dont though with associated "problems" to match.
  • Verdigris
    Verdigris Posts: 1,725 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    which no longer requires them to employ the services of a meter reader

    Not entirely true. Energy companies are still obliged to have their meters independently read and inspected at least once every two years. This includes smart meters although the inspection period is supposed to be going to 5 years at some point.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 25 April 2021 at 1:11PM
    Verdigris said:
    which no longer requires them to employ the services of a meter reader

    Not entirely true. Energy companies are still obliged to have their meters independently read and inspected at least once every two years. This includes smart meters although the inspection period is supposed to be going to 5 years at some point.
    I am sorry to have to disagree but the SLC relating to meter readings was changed a further years ago. The obligation now is that suppliers have to obtain a meter reading reading once every 12 months. The manner is which it is to be obtained is not specified. Suppliers are now free to set their own safety inspection periods. The 5 years that you refer to was a derogation that British Gas obtained to the previous 2 year meter reading obligation. 

    Quote: 21B.4 The licensee must take all reasonable steps to obtain a meter reading (including any meter reading transmitted electronically from a meter to the licensee or provided by the Customer and accepted by the licensee) for each of its Customers at least once every year. Unquote
  • Verdigris
    Verdigris Posts: 1,725 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    I'm much obliged to m'learned friend. Just goes to show what c**p is fed to the people who actually have to do the job. Mind you, it was a good enough story to get me access to most properties!
  • andy15959
    andy15959 Posts: 33 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    So once again, another thread showing that smart meters are a waste of time . :D
  • andy15959 said:
    So once again, another thread showing that smart meters are a waste of time . :D
    How so? The UK is not alone in rolling out smart meters: that said, I accept that for most consumers the benefits at the moment are limited. 
  • Gerry1
    Gerry1 Posts: 10,848 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Dolor said:
    andy15959 said:
    So once again, another thread showing that smart meters are a waste of time . :D
    I accept that for most consumers the benefits at the moment are limited. 
    The benefits are negative.  The cost is around £475, which everyone will end up paying via increased gas and electricity bills, but the estimated saving is officially estimated at a miserable £11 per annum, and only if you look at the shiny toy religiously and cut consumption.
    Would you invest in a bank or building society that paid 2.3% interest but would never repay your capital?  No, thought not !
    Oh, make that just £6 and 1.26% if the IHD is plugged in and uses a fiver's worth of electricity.
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