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How would I go about getting a pay as you go electricity meter replaced with a normal billed meter?
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We have to find ways of balancing infinitely variable renewable energy with consumer demand: smart meters meet part of this requirement.
As existing analogue meters reach the end of their certificated lives, smart meters are now being fitted without there being any need for consumer approval. It follows that resistance is futile.
My reasoning is:
- There is currently no advantage to me as a consumer apart from not having to put in meter readings each month (which takes less than 10 mins)
- It provides information on when I use energy which will enable energy companies to bill more for peak times.
- The data that flows to the energy company isn't controlled by me, meaning it could be interecepted, altered, or used to find out when I use energy and so when I will be home (in theory).
- There is no evidence that having a smart meter leads to lower energy use. Personally, just because something tells me what I am using won't lead to me reducing usage - I will still want to watch TV and have a cup of tea.
- Smart meters give a lot more control to power companies. First generation meant you couldn't swap supplier easily, second generation can easily be changed to pay as you go meters by the power companies (even without consent).
- If there is an issue with the meter readings, I have no way of rectifying this - I will be at the mercy of energy companies who will insist everything is working ok (even if it is an issue with the meter or at thier end).
Can someone give me any tangiable advantages that benefit me?
What is your unit price?
I currently pay 34.23p/kWh for Electricity and 10.46p/kWh for Gas.
I'm defo not a daily fail reader lol. I am all for innovation, but it just seems to be change for change sake when it doesn't give anything long term apart from an excuse for the energy suppliers to increase prices?