Smart Meters : E-On sneaky new “end of meter life” tactic

[Deleted User]

Astria said:

Deleted_User said:

GingerTim said:

In the current scenario the meter is outside the property, so the energy company can do what they want.

The property is hers - they can't do what they want to other people's property. Or at least - I'd be surprised if they can.

I accept they have a right to fit any kind of meter they choose if you want to be able to buy energy from them. But if you don't want their energy I doubt they have a legal right to install their equipment on your property without their permission. They can of course remove or disable the old one...at their own expence.

I'm not arguing the above IS the case, but I would think it is. I sure as hell would kick up a fuss if someone modified my property without my consent. 

They have a legal right of entry for access to their equipment as long as they have given you plenty of notice, which includes visits to your property to request access if you don't respond to them via other means. If you reject the installation of a new meter then you can have the pipe capped instead (which may incur a charge), but you can't keep the old meter forever. This only applies where you own the property. You have far less rights if you rent - if the meter is outside your entrance door you might not even have a choice in the matter.

Yes, that's what I said.

They are entitled to remove their old equipment, but they cannot fit their new equipment against your wishes. This of course would mean you no longer have the ability to use energy that they supply. But as I said - the plus side to this is you don't have to pay a standing charge if you don't have a meter. And for some (with solar, woodburners etc) that's a bonus! Some would like to have their meters removed but the cost is off-putting.

I don't think they'd get away with charging you for removing the meters when it's their decision to 'retire' them. I'm sure at some point there will be a class action lawsuit to test this! 

But as I said - this isn't much comfort to the old lady in question. The reason I raised it is because a lot of people WILL take a stand on this and that could force a policy change that would benefit everyone that's opposed to having a smart meter. 

So, hold out if you don't want it. They can't just turn up and change it without notification - as someone pointed out, they'd need a court order. 

giraffe69

Court orders, going off grid!! The amount of hysteria about the fitting of smart maters from some is quite extraordinary. Having a hissy fit because someone wants to change a meter seems excessive. The point where all or nearly all have such a meter can no doubt be a bit delayed by refuseniks but in the end the going off grid method is not very likely to appeal to very many. FWIW I have had such a meter for a couple of years now without problem (once connection was established) despite some on here telling me I'd have my brain fried by radiation or the suppliers would cut me off or my bills would get higher(of course they have but not for that reason).

[Deleted User]

giraffe69 said:

Court orders, going off grid!! The amount of hysteria about the fitting of smart maters from some is quite extraordinary. Having a hissy fit because someone wants to change a meter seems excessive. The point where all or nearly all have such a meter can no doubt be a bit delayed by refuseniks but in the end the going off grid method is not very likely to appeal to very many. FWIW I have had such a meter for a couple of years now without problem (once connection was established) despite some on here telling me I'd have my brain fried by radiation or the suppliers would cut me off or my bills would get higher(of course they have but not for that reason).

You seem to be getting a bit hot under the collar over the fact that people make different choices to you?

I wouldn't call it a hissy fit for people to say 'no' to a smart meter. If others want to take a 'hissy fit' and try and force it on people with court orders then let them. Those that don't want it just need to stand their ground and refuse to cave into the pressure. If it comes to court orders then there will be enough people to band together to fight it. So no need for hissy fits and hysteria. Just say no!! LOL

As for going off-grid - a lot of people would LOVE to do that. Currently it's made difficult by the costs involved in getting energy meters removed from your property. Until you do that you're stuck with a standing charge even if you don't use any energy. 

doodling

Hi,

Deleted_User said:

giraffe69 said:

Court orders, going off grid!! The amount of hysteria about the fitting of smart maters from some is quite extraordinary. Having a hissy fit because someone wants to change a meter seems excessive. The point where all or nearly all have such a meter can no doubt be a bit delayed by refuseniks but in the end the going off grid method is not very likely to appeal to very many. FWIW I have had such a meter for a couple of years now without problem (once connection was established) despite some on here telling me I'd have my brain fried by radiation or the suppliers would cut me off or my bills would get higher(of course they have but not for that reason).

You seem to be getting a bit hot under the collar over the fact that people make different choices to you?

I wouldn't call it a hissy fit for people to say 'no' to a smart meter. If others want to take a 'hissy fit' and try and force it on people with court orders then let them. Those that don't want it just need to stand their ground and refuse to cave into the pressure. If it comes to court orders then there will be enough people to band together to fight it. So no need for hissy fits and hysteria. Just say no!! LOL

As for going off-grid - a lot of people would LOVE to do that. Currently it's made difficult by the costs involved in getting energy meters removed from your property. Until you do that you're stuck with a standing charge even if you don't use any energy. 

How does any of this help an elderly and confused lady?  She isn't going to be going off grid and there is absolutely no benefit in her fighting the energy company on this.  No-one is going to "band together" with an old lady to fight a court order - she'll just have a lot of stress whilst the process grinds on.

The reality is that the energy supplier can fit a smart meter if they want to (and Ofgem agree).

Unless the elderly and confused lady is bored and wants to make a big issue of this, which will lead to lots of unnecessary stress and is almost certainly not in her interest then the best advice is to encourage her to agree to it.

Miser1964

Thin end of the wedge indeed. Next step is premium rates when demand is high.

[Deleted User]

Miser1964 said:

Thin end of the wedge indeed. Next step is premium rates when demand is high.

Clouds and silver linings come to mind. When energy supply exceeds demand, then consumers will get a lower unit cost. I am on Tracker Gas and my gas unit price today is 5.01p/kWh due to low European demand; full reserves and full LNG tankers sitting off our coast.

[Deleted User]

[Deleted User] said:

Miser1964 said:

Thin end of the wedge indeed. Next step is premium rates when demand is high.

Clouds and silver linings come to mind. When energy supply exceeds demand, then consumers will get a lower unit cost. I am on Tracker Gas and my gas unit price today is 5.01p/kWh due to low European demand; full reserves and full LNG tankers sitting off our coast.

Initially perhaps - to entice you onto smart meters. 

But once they have a captive 'audience' why would they give you cheap energy at any time? 

More likely energy will be very expensive at all times, and unavailable to most during peak times. If people don't have independent means of getting energy there is no incentive for the  few remaining energy companies to keep prices down. 

[Deleted User]

doodling said:

Hi,

Deleted_User said:

giraffe69 said:

Court orders, going off grid!! The amount of hysteria about the fitting of smart maters from some is quite extraordinary. Having a hissy fit because someone wants to change a meter seems excessive. The point where all or nearly all have such a meter can no doubt be a bit delayed by refuseniks but in the end the going off grid method is not very likely to appeal to very many. FWIW I have had such a meter for a couple of years now without problem (once connection was established) despite some on here telling me I'd have my brain fried by radiation or the suppliers would cut me off or my bills would get higher(of course they have but not for that reason).

You seem to be getting a bit hot under the collar over the fact that people make different choices to you?

I wouldn't call it a hissy fit for people to say 'no' to a smart meter. If others want to take a 'hissy fit' and try and force it on people with court orders then let them. Those that don't want it just need to stand their ground and refuse to cave into the pressure. If it comes to court orders then there will be enough people to band together to fight it. So no need for hissy fits and hysteria. Just say no!! LOL

As for going off-grid - a lot of people would LOVE to do that. Currently it's made difficult by the costs involved in getting energy meters removed from your property. Until you do that you're stuck with a standing charge even if you don't use any energy. 

How does any of this help an elderly and confused lady?  She isn't going to be going off grid and there is absolutely no benefit in her fighting the energy company on this.  No-one is going to "band together" with an old lady to fight a court order - she'll just have a lot of stress whilst the process grinds on.

The reality is that the energy supplier can fit a smart meter if they want to (and Ofgem agree).

Unless the elderly and confused lady is bored and wants to make a big issue of this, which will lead to lots of unnecessary stress and is almost certainly not in her interest then the best advice is to encourage her to agree to it.

If you read my posts before responding you won't need to ask that question.

As I explained - SHE doesn't need to fight the energy company. Other people with more at stake will do that. She just has to sit tight and say no to a smart meter if she doesn't want it. 

If the energy company want to pick a fight and obtain a court order to force a smart meter on an elderly and confused lady - then they can do so. But she doesn't need to worry. At the point where the energy company have that legal document she can decide what she wants to do. I think it very unlikely it'll ever get to that point. The energy company will pick on plenty of people before they get to her - people that ARE in a strong position to take on the legal challenge. 

Brie

wasn't there something on another thread about how to block the signal from the smart meter?  something akin to a tin hat so aliens can't eat your brain waves.  or foil in your wallet so thieves can't zap your credit cards?  I mean if she is concerned then let them install and then add in a wodge of foil and see what sparks fly!

But also get her registered as vulnerable so she is dealt with as a priority should there be outages.

[Deleted User]

Brie said:

wasn't there something on another thread about how to block the signal from the smart meter?  something akin to a tin hat so aliens can't eat your brain waves.  or foil in your wallet so thieves can't zap your credit cards?  I mean if she is concerned then let them install and then add in a wodge of foil and see what sparks fly!

But also get her registered as vulnerable so she is dealt with as a priority should there be outages.

Much easier to just say no. If she's sees no value in it for herself why let herself be bullied?