Smart Meter

Annepop

When our previous supplier folded we were moved to British Gas. Last week they sent me an email stating that if we didn’t get a smart meter installed under the terms of our agreement they would move us to a different tariff. Feeling under a lot of pressure I booked an appointment for later this month, even though I wasn’t sure if the stress of seeing the data would be good for my anxiety!
Lo and behold, the day after I booked the appointment I received another email apologising for the first email which they said was incorrect. I wouldn’t need to get the meter and if I didn’t I would not be moved to a different tariff.
I am very uncomfortable about this series of events. I am unsure as to whether the meter is a good idea.
What are the positives of having a meter? If I could move supplier at this time I certainly would as I do question the actions of British Gas! 

Phlik

Positives of having a meter, in theory no surprise large bills as estimated readings should be a thing of the past. The smart meter won't save you any money itself however being able to see the real time use can help if items like an immersion heater etc are left on by mistake.

MattMattMattUK

Annepop said:

When our previous supplier folded we were moved to British Gas. Last week they sent me an email stating that if we didn’t get a smart meter installed under the terms of our agreement they would move us to a different tariff. Feeling under a lot of pressure I booked an appointment for later this month, even though I wasn’t sure if the stress of seeing the data would be good for my anxiety!
Lo and behold, the day after I booked the appointment I received another email apologising for the first email which they said was incorrect. I wouldn’t need to get the meter and if I didn’t I would not be moved to a different tariff.
I am very uncomfortable about this series of events. I am unsure as to whether the meter is a good idea.

I would really recommend you speak to your GP about your mental health, extreme anxiety is an issue that can be addressed.

Annepop said:

What are the positives of having a meter?

Fast access to usage data, in time, better tariffs.

Annepop said:

If I could move supplier at this time I certainly would as I do question the actions of British Gas! 

If was an error, they have apologised for it, it does not cause any harm or create any issues, it is not worth worrying about. 
 

Ant555

Opinions are divided on the positives however a smart meter should allow your energy company to read your meter remotely  - saving you however much time you spend per month reading your own meter and entering online - for me that's <5 mins so not a massive 'benefit' per se.

Access to smart meter only tariffs.

Plus, a smart meter should also provide an in home display that shows you your energy consumption - this will allow you to monitor what energy you use and switch things off or use them less.  I bought a third party one that shows my electric consumption and it has definitely been a good thing.  For instance - why do I need those under cupboard lights switched on in the kitchen - they look good but why did I used to put them on and leave them on?
Why did I used to leave my wifi printer switched on all the time when I use it once per week?
I mostly charge my phone in the car whenever I am in there rather than wait until I get home.
I cant really change all that much about the big energy users such as the kettle and washing machine but I am much more aware of the £'s due to the energy display.

MattMattMattUK

Ant555 said:

Why did I used to leave my wifi printer switched on all the time? - Convenience vs £'s

Out of interest, how much did your printer use? I have an Epson Ecotank printer  and it only draws 1w when in standby and connected to Wifi.

EssexHebridean

Just one thing to be checked on - you're not on an Economy 7 tariff for the electricity, are you?  Assuming you're not, then there's probably no harm in continuing with the appointment. 

I think everyone's feeling a bit tense about the way energy prices are going at the moment, and yes, I can certainly understand it is spiking anxiety. What I will say though is that probably the thing that's REALLY causing the anxiety spikes is the "unknown" factor - classic catastrophising is "But what if I can't afford it..." and all the offshoots that come from that. The best bet is to actually work through the sums yourself using your annual consumption (you can find this by going back to bills from this time last year, and then subtracting the readings then from your reading now for electric - the gas will require a little bit of extra maths due to the meter not showing use in kWh) and the upcoming rates you will be charged from 1st April. At least then you'll know how much to expect things to go up, and you can start to plan to deal with it! 

[Deleted User]

Get a smart meter and download the free App BRIGHT. No clever maths involved; the bar chart can show usage in kWh and in £s.

EssexHebridean

[Deleted User] said:

Get a smart meter and download the free App BRIGHT. No clever maths involved; the bar chart can show usage in kWh and in £s.

Might be useful for people who for whatever reason don't have smart meters currently - the "Meter Readings" app for apple devices can also do this - just obviously needs your own meter readings entered to make it happen.  It's by Graham Haley.

[Deleted User]

I am familiar with Meter Readings but technology has moved on. From BRIGHT:

BEIS has also commissioned a tool that will allow price comparison websites (with consumer permission) to pull a year’s data to make tariff comparisons based on usage and time of usage.

EssexHebridean

Oh absolutely - I'm sure that you can get a lot more information out of a smart meter linked app! 

Ant555

MattMattMattUK said:

Ant555 said:

Why did I used to leave my wifi printer switched on all the time? - Convenience vs £'s

Out of interest, how much did your printer use? I have an Epson Ecotank printer  and it only draws 1w when in standby and connected to Wifi.

Hi Matt x 3,

I do concede that the printer is not a big number in £s over a year but the monitor has highlighted what I suppose I already knew about the the cumulative effect of turning off/reducing lots of the smaller wattage items.  Stuff that was a relatively insignificant cost way back in the good old days of 'early 2021'   

+ I never use the clock on my microwave so I asked myself why would I pay about a tenner a year for no reason when the socket is right there a few cm away.