Smart meter

kimp22

I have been offered a smart meter by Scottish Power and it says the meter will update back with Scottish Power every 30 minutes is that normal.
Any advise I currently have prepayment meters in. 

Thanks 
Kim

pochase

I believe you can ask less frequent readings, but why would you?

A smart meter does not mean it is no longer a prepayment meter, did they tell you you will go onto credit?

Dogbyte009

pochase said:

I believe you can ask less frequent readings, but why would you?

Security is the primary reason. Should the data fall into the wrong hands it becomes easy to work out when you're away from home.

PennyForThem_2

Yes any SM2 you get from scottish Power will work with Scottish Power.  Maybe not, if you switch.  I have SM2 for gas/elec which does not communicate - so don't count on it.

pochase

Dogbyte009 said:

pochase said:

I believe you can ask less frequent readings, but why would you?

Security is the primary reason. Should the data fall into the wrong hands it becomes easy to work out when you're away from home.

How exactly is that supposed to happen? Can you link a case where this has happened?

QrizB

kimp22 said:

I have been offered a smart meter by Scottish Power and it says the meter will update back with Scottish Power every 30 minutes is that normal.

As you will gather from the discussion, yes this is normal.

Dogbyte009

pochase said:

How exactly is that supposed to happen? Can you link a case where this has happened?

It's been a concern in information security circles for years: https://www.cnet.com/news/privacy/your-smart-electricity-meter-could-be-a-security-risk/

There may not be documented cases - yet - but it comes down to how much you trust your energy supplier to have A-grade security and how much you trust their staff not to have friends who are burglars or talk out of turn in the pub. As someone who is paid to be paranoid about data security and privacy I'd rather not take the risk, thanks.

pochase

The link you posted is about somebody hacking  directly into your smart meter to get to your data.

I don't see any reference here that it is easier to do so if the usage data is submitted more often.

Dogbyte009

pochase said:

The link you posted is about somebody hacking  directly into your smart meter to get to your data.

I don't see any reference here that it is easier to do so if the usage data is submitted more often.

The relevant para is, "Electricity usage could also be used to highlight when the occupants of a home are absent." Doesn't matter whether that data comes directly from the meter or via the supplier's back office systems.

[Deleted User]

What about homeowners like myself?  My electricity consumption has been zero for past 3 months, with gas used for cooking only. Like many, we have PV solar panels on our roof.

A burglar does not need smart meter data to work out when people are not at home. I can make a pretty good guess by just looking at properties as I take my daily walk. 

Astria

Dogbyte009 said:

pochase said:

I believe you can ask less frequent readings, but why would you?

Security is the primary reason. Should the data fall into the wrong hands it becomes easy to work out when you're away from home.

I know a house down the street which has 2 occupants, they leave every day between 10am and 11am in the car and return approximately 3 - 4 hours later. They appear to go bed before 11pm as all the lights get turned off before then. That kind of security?