Gas Smart meter for youth organisation - any cons?

Bendy_House

Hi.

A local youth group I help out at has just been offered a Smart meter fitting by British Gas. As I understand it, these essentially allow two things - the user to better monitor their gas consumption, and the supplier to read the meter remotely. Ie, at least two 'good' things.

But are there any 'cons'?!

Thanks.

QrizB

Short answer? No, not really.

If you're in the habit of not paying your bills, smart meters make it easier for your supplier to switch you over to prepayment.

tacpot12

I'm Treasurer for a local sports club and we have a smart meter for our gas in the club house. The only downside I've found is that is frustrating to have a meter that can, in theory, send its readings to the supplier, but in practice, the radio link is so unreliable that I still have to provide meter readings!

Unfortunately, the only way to find out if the meter is going to connect reliably is to get one and try it.  In theory, it should be a good thing, with no long-term downsides, but if you are unlucky, it may not get you out of having to provide monthly meter readings.

There is risk that the new meter could be faulty (or less likely, mis-calibrated), so make sure you take photos of the meter readings either side of the change date, and monitor consumption very closely for a few weeks either side of the change just in case the meter is faulty. 

Personally, I would take the chance and have it fitted.

Bendy_House

Thank you, both.

Ha-ha, Qriz - no, the group aren't in the habit of not paying their bills!

Thanks Tacpot - good to have an opinion from a similar group. I'll take on your advice. Is there an energy monitor included, so you have a real-time overview of consumption?

[Deleted User]

tacpot12 said:

I'm Treasurer for a local sports club and we have a smart meter for our gas in the club house. The only downside I've found is that is frustrating to have a meter that can, in theory, send its readings to the supplier, but in practice, the radio link is so unreliable that I still have to provide meter readings!

Unfortunately, the only way to find out if the meter is going to connect reliably is to get one and try it.  In theory, it should be a good thing, with no long-term downsides, but if you are unlucky, it may not get you out of having to provide monthly meter readings.

There is risk that the new meter could be faulty (or less likely, mis-calibrated), so make sure you take photos of the meter readings either side of the change date, and monitor consumption very closely for a few weeks either side of the change just in case the meter is faulty. 

Personally, I would take the chance and have it fitted.

I cannot speak for your particular situation but an installer should not fit a smart meter if he/she is unable to connect it to the DCC network either by WAN or, in some situations, Mesh. They also need to pair the gas meter with the proxy gas meter within the comms hub.

As you know, the gas meter connects to the comms hub via a Zigbee wifi connection which can be impacted by distance; structures etc, and adjacent metal/wiring. That said, I have a Zigbee wifi connection between my hot water diverter and my Zappi EVSE which sits in a detached garage about 15 metres away. The wifi transmission has to pass through two foil-backed walls. I have not had any issues.

BUFF

my understanding is that you need to have your electricity meter switched over to a Smart meter first before they can install a Smart gas meter.

Bendy_House

Too complex, Dolor - and not our problem!

And not our problem either, BUFF

Many thanks everyone. I just wanted to know if there was a good reason not too. I've passed on the info.