Should I get a smart meter?

LADYXXMACBETH

I've heard awful things about smartmeters going wrong, over charging etc. I can get one installed from BG but I'm worried it'll cause more hassle than it's worth. 

QrizB

They are more prone to faults than dumb meters but faults are still rare.

It won't directly save you money.

It will, if you pay attention, alert you to unexpected high use of energy so you can do something about it (eg. if you leave a heater on and forget about it, or your boiler goes wrong and starts using much more energy than usual).

It will give you access to time-of-use tariffs that could potentially cost less than your current tariff. (This is one of the reasons I had mine fitted.)

For most people, and most suppliers, the smart meter will automatically report your readings to your supplier and you won't get any more estimated bills.

LADYXXMACBETH

I would like to know where I am leaking electricity as this is something that I use a lot of but I'm not sure why. Many thanks. 

Gerry1

Electricity does not leak unless you have very poor insulation (which would probably have caused a fire) although devices accidentally left on can waste money, as can older devices that have relatively high standby usage.

Assuming your meter has a flashing red LED marked '1000 imp/kWh' or similar, counting the flashes (impulses) can be useful in detecting unwanted usage.  Counting the revolutions of a disk meter also works.

Background usage (fridge, freezer, router etc) shouldn't exceed about 150W - 300W corresponding to a flash every 24 - 12 seconds respectively.  (Adjust the calculation accordingly if the LED is labelled differently.)

Switch off various circuits at the consumer units to focus in on any wasteful items.

wild666

Any savings you can get with a smart meter, except a lower unit charge for having the smart meter, can be had by turning off the majority of appliances at the wall socket when not in use, only three appliances need to be on 24/7 and they are the fridge, freezer and router. Everything else can be turned off at the socket.

Effician

wild666 said:

Any savings you can get with a smart meter, except a lower unit charge for having the smart meter, can be had by turning off the majority of appliances at the wall socket when not in use,

I would say with the help of the ihd i have made at least as much if not more savings from --in use items-- as from just switching stuff off, of course being able to identify any area where energy is being wasted is time well spent

oldagetraveller1

I have resisted having "smart" meters for a long time. My leccy meter is old with the spinning disc and a mechanical number display. The gas meter is possibly older and measures volume in cubic feet!

However, my current tarrif requires "smart" meters as part of the agreement. Being fitted later this month.

I have read and heard negatives about them but I suppose a leap into the 21st Century is inevitable.

Effician

oldagetraveller1 said:

I have resisted having "smart" meters for a long time. My leccy meter is old with the spinning disc and a mechanical number display. The gas meter is possibly older and measures volume in cubic feet!

However, my current tarrif requires "smart" meters as part of the agreement. Being fitted later this month.

I have read and heard negatives about them but I suppose a leap into the 21st Century is inevitable.

I really didn't want one but had ours fitted end of Jan, so far it's been a good call.& wouldn't want to go back.

victor2

LADYXXMACBETH said:

I've heard awful things about smartmeters going wrong, over charging etc. I can get one installed from BG but I'm worried it'll cause more hassle than it's worth. 

They are very unlikely to go wrong or cause you to be overcharged. They will save you the hassle of giving meter readings regularly and eliminate the need for the supplier to estimate your readings. The In-House Display can help you identify what uses significant amounts of electricty and when.

After the novelty of the IHD wears off, many people unplug them and stick them in a drawer (doing so does not affect the meter's ability to send readings), which saves the very small amount of electricity they actually use, and you pay for.

Mobtr

LADYXXMACBETH said:

I've heard awful things about smartmeters going wrong, over charging etc. I can get one installed from BG but I'm worried it'll cause more hassle than it's worth. 

In my experience the only time a smart meter has ‘over charged’ is when the previous meter was either faulty or if E7 the reads were transposed and now correct. 

They don’t save you money just getting one fitted but they do by making you aware of what you’re using & what changes you can make 

LADYXXMACBETH

Do you have to fpay to have them fitted ?