To smart meter or not to smart meter?

Slinky

I'm also thinking of going over to a smart meter, but principally because at the moment we have Economy 7 meters as a legacy thing from the previous owner who had solar water heating on the roof from back in the 1970s. The panels were knackered so we took them out.  We have gas central heating so no overnight storage heating going on.

Unfortunately we're stuck with E7 dual rate with our current supplier, who previously had us on single rate as a fix. I'm finding it awkward to try and move to somewhere else which will give us single rate with a dual rate meter. It's getting too much hassle to hold out with the old meters, so I think I'll probably end up switching. When the winter comes and the clock changes I won't be able to push as much onto the night rate to break even, which is where we're at at the moment.

elsien

What does a smart meter cost to run - short answer - nothing, IHD - a miniscule amount.
How much electricity do smart meters use and cost to run? | This is Money

bouicca21

So does distance between meters matter?  There is easily 8 or 9 metres between my electric and gas meters, plus they are on different levels - the electric one is floor level, the gas meter is high - not quite two metres off the floor.

The electric clearly comes into the building in the same place for everyone as all the meters are together in a central cupboard.  I think the gas might be different. It looks like one mains pipe serves the 3 flats on my side and there is probably another serving the 3 flats on the other side.

elsien

Try posting the question on the energy board? 

Although I found this which seems to say 8 or 9 m would be fine.

https://forum.ovoenergy.com/smart-meters-136/how-far-apart-can-my-meters-be-to-allow-a-smart-meter-upgrade-339

Keep_pedalling

bouicca21 said:

So does distance between meters matter?  There is easily 8 or 9 metres between my electric and gas meters, plus they are on different levels - the electric one is floor level, the gas meter is high - not quite two metres off the floor.

The electric clearly comes into the building in the same place for everyone as all the meters are together in a central cupboard.  I think the gas might be different. It looks like one mains pipe serves the 3 flats on my side and there is probably another serving the 3 flats on the other side.

Yes it could mean you can have a smart meter for electricity but not gas, as the gas meter piggy-backs off the electric meter. 

bouicca21

I’ll get my measuring tape out and get a more accurate figure, though possibly should add that the direct line would go through 3 brick walls, which might affect any wifi signal between the two meters.

Brambling

My gas meter is outside on the bin cupboard wall so works through two brick outside cupboards and then through the hall as my kitchen and smart meter are in the back of the house (4 brick walls) the electric meter is under the stairs

I've had mine 3 months and no regrets yet 🙂 I've always tried to be careful with my usage but  I do find it a useful reminder and in some instances a surprise on how much things cost 

YorksLass

We agreed to have a smart meter fitted as part of the conditions of our fixed price deal.  When the engineer came to fit it, he said it wasn't possible to install one because he couldn't isolate the electricity supply to the property (block of maisonettes) and the signal wouldn't work.  We did get the fixed deal though as we'd agreed in principle to have a smart meter.

It isn't a problem to read our own meters though (gas outside and electricity in a cupboard off the hallway) and I do this every month to send my readings to the supplier.  I also log them in a notebook so I can compare month on month and year on year usage.

Smart meters may well be useful for some to highlight usage but the only way to reduce consumption is to be aware of what is switched on, when and for how long.  If you think it would help you, then go for it.

Novice_investor101

I had them fitted but only get a small benefit. The electricity one works & sends readings daily. The gas one doesn’t & is “dumb” so I still have to venture into the cellar to read that. 

The IHD doesn’t connect to anything so is in a cupboard gathering dust. 

This is with British Gas. Their app works most of the time to show what my electricity usage was per day but is always a few days behind. Asking them to come out & sort the gas meter & IHD has had no luck either. 

bouicca21

I did my measurements, reviving almost the only bit of maths GCE that I can remember (Pythagoras) and the straight line distance is just about 8.5 metres.  I should perhaps add that the three brick walls are pretty thick, possibly double brick, as they support the two stories above, only the walls of the top floor flat are breeze block.