To smart meter or not to smart meter? 7 August 2022 at 6:00PM in Old style MoneySaving 44 replies 4.3K views

YoungBlueEyes

I don't have a smart meter so I can't comment on advantages.  I did read a lot of the posts on the energy board about them though and made notes in my phone of the questions/issues to raise if my supplier starts telling me I now must have one.  It hasn't happened yet so I don't know anything further (not really helpful I spose!)


Smart meter Q's - 
 - Load limiting
 - Load shedding
 - Surge pricing
 - Individual property pricing

Sometimes a different perspective can be useful.

Floss

I have smart meters, fitted 2 years ago by British Gas, I switched to Shell in May 21 and they've been working perfectly since being fitted. The display unit is fab, obviously it has the BG tariffs which are only pennies different so it gives me a reasonably accurate cost.

MazzieD

I also have smart meters and have found it so useful to be able to see the display unit.  A couple of days ago I noticed that the electricity cost was 20p higher than I would have expected as only the Fridge/Freezer was on so I had a quick check.  Turned out I had left one of the freezer drawers slightly ajar after a meat delivery so the door hadn't closed properly.  Thankfully I noticed fairly quickly so although I wasted 20p it would have been much worse with a standard meter as I tend to take several items out at a time and don't always open the freezer door on a regular basis.

maryb

I've just had an email from Shell saying my meter is old and needs to be replaced

With - guess what- a smart meter.

Looks like they are going to use that trick to compel us to have one.  I don't object in principle but I know it won't work - our meters are in big Victorian coal cellars under the concrete of the ground floor.  There is no mobile signal or wifi signal down there.  I read my meters most days and keep a spreadsheet so I know how much I am using

joedenise

It will be interesting to see what happens when they see where the meters are @maryb!

maryb

If it just mean I had to submit meter readings as I do now because it only operated in dumb mode that would be one thing but the smart meters I have seen are much more difficult to see the display

joedenise

I can't see the display at all on my smart meter!  It's only the fact I've got the In Home Display so can see how much we are using.  It's easier for me as both the gas and electric meters were difficult to read.  The electric one is almost at ceiling height and the gam one down on the floor!

tooldle

Do they all look he same? Asking as ours are very clear. The screen lights up when the button is pressed to take a reading. Both are at eye level.

joedenise

No idea as never seen other smart meters!  But I would struggle to press any buttons on either of the meters!

animal1984farm

Got an email from Scottish Power, that they need to upgrade the meter because its over 15 years old.
Of course, it needs to be a smart meter.
(they have been pushing for me to upgrade for ages, but think its disingenuous to use this excuse)

Also, according to the MSE articles, it is not mandatory to accept a smart meter.
Could they use the excuse that a smart meter is all they have?

Do you get a choice where its installed?
Are they more convenient than physical meters? (I dont mind sending a meter reading every 3 months)

My biggest fear is that the readings might get scrambled somehow, and I am charged 1,000s when I clearly havent used that much.