Smart meter and old style meter costs

s45

Is there anyone who can tell how much do the energy company charge (via our bills) for the smart meters.  Also how can I check how much am I being charged for the old style meters.  I am keen to know the difference in charges. Thanks.

What will it cost me?

It won’t cost you anything. There is no upfront charge for the installation of a smart meter. Your energy provider will recoup costs through your energy bills over time.

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/guide-to-smart-meters/

pochase

There is no difference in the unit costs for different meter types.

diystarter7

pochase said:

There is no difference in the unit costs for different meter types.

Hi

However, come smart pricing which it will, then there will be a difference. IMO, initially smart meter users may be offered incentives, then bang, different prices at different times of the day


uk - news
https://www.current-news.co.uk/news/smart-meters-to-play-critical-role-in-uk-energy-security-says-cornwall-insight

Germany offering incentives and then bang I guess
https://www.euractiv.com/section/electricity/news/germany-announces-acceleration-of-smarter-meter-rollout/


I posted on MSE re smart meters a few months ago and very helpful posts opened my eyes and we have decided against them at the mo

thanks

EssexHebridean

Hi OP - it’s correct that there are no additional charges for either meter type at the moment, however, there are already time of use tariffs which offer cheaper tariff options to Smart Meter users, in fact these have been around for a good many years already, so no sign of them disappearing any time soon - much to the disappointment of the conspiracy theorists, I imagine! 

Other advantages to smart meters include them usually sending meter readings for you - no need to have to set reminders to do this monthly to ensure you get accurate billing, just a check on everything being as it should be every few months for your own peace of mind. Also, many suppliers will give you a free display for inside your home which can show you how much energy you are using at any given time - meaning you can easily identify high-drain appliances. (This is where the suggestion that a SM can save you money comes from) Some people have even reported that smart meters have helped them identify when things have gone wrong - an appliance left switched on when it shouldn’t be, or one working harder than it should be - a freezer with the door left open perhaps! 

You will find few of those on here with good knowledge of metering and energy supply that will tell you too many disadvantages of them, to be honest. 

diystarter7

Hi OP

Very helpful article from a very highly regarded source.
Reading stuff like this just confirms its not for us atm

Millions with the first gen of smart meters cant chose certain suppliers. They say the 2nd gen address this is what I have read
More recently, people forced on to prepayments that were in some form of debt but read the link

Companies already have too much control over our data so not for us

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/jan/11/call-to-end-forced-installation-of-uk-prepayment-meters-after-millions-suffer-without-power

Good luck.

Sailbad

I think s45 is asking about the general cost of the whole smart meter program which we all pay for indirectly whether we have a smart meter or not. I believe it is £1 or 2 hundred  a year each but don't quote me.

Spoonie_Turtle

diystarter7 said:

Hi OP

Very helpful article from a very highly regarded source.
Reading stuff like this just confirms its not for us atm

Millions with the first gen of smart meters cant chose certain suppliers. They say the 2nd gen address this is what I have read
More recently, people forced on to prepayments that were in some form of debt but read the link

Companies already have too much control over our data so not for us

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/jan/11/call-to-end-forced-installation-of-uk-prepayment-meters-after-millions-suffer-without-power

Good luck.

Well the solutions to those two problems are simple:
1. get SMTES2 meters (the only option nowadays anyway)
2. don't get into debt* and if you do, don't refuse to engage with the supplier on a payment plan.  Switching to prepayment even remotely via smart meter is still a last resort.

*not possible for everyone, I know, but at least engage with the supplier if it happens. 

Spoonie_Turtle

Sailbad said:

I think s45 is asking about the general cost of the whole smart meter program which we all pay for indirectly whether we have a smart meter or not. I believe it is £1 or 2 hundred  a year each but don't quote me.

That's what I thought too.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/latest-energy-price-cap-announced-ofgem

Scroll down to the breakdown chart; the category labeled 'smart' is £19 for the (mythical) typical dual fuel user.

s45

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Sailbad said:

I think s45 is asking about the general cost of the whole smart meter program which we all pay for indirectly whether we have a smart meter or not. I believe it is £1 or 2 hundred  a year each but don't quote me.

That's what I thought too.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/latest-energy-price-cap-announced-ofgem

Scroll down to the breakdown chart; the category labeled 'smart' is £19 for the (mythical) typical dual fuel user.

Thanks everyone.
Q. Says Smart £19 (Jan - Mar23) - does that mean £19 for residence with Smart meter for 3 months? I guess I would have to check with ofgem if the charge is the same for old meters.

Jyana

No, that is the price everyone pays per year on their bill if they were using the capped figure, or the national average amount per household which is 2,900kWh of electricity and 12,000kWh of gas. If you use more or less than this, then you would pay proportionally more or less than £19 (someone may know if I am wrong here though?).

There is no separate fee for older meters in the way I think you are suggesting. There is no running costs for either kind of meter, per se, so there's no charge depending on which meter you have.  Back when you could still get one of the older kind of meters fitted, that cost of that was already covered by the other admin costs rather than being a separate fee.

Spoonie_Turtle

Jyana said:

No, that is the price everyone pays per year on their bill if they were using the capped figure, or the national average amount per household which is 2,900kWh of electricity and 12,000kWh of gas. If you use more or less than this, then you would pay proportionally more or less than £19 (someone may know if I am wrong here though?).

As far as I understand that's exactly it, but including the standing charges too.