SMART meter time?

Netexporter

by allowing your domestic energy supplier to fit a 'SMART' meter, that can measure and control your energy consumption?

Breaking News: conventional meters measure your consumption, too.

As for "controlling", smart meters just measure imports and exports, albeit with a "time signature". They don't control the amount of energy you use, that is up to you. They can vary the price, but again, that is entirely your decision in choosing an appropriate tariff for your needs.

[Deleted User]

Altior said:

That's my point to the OP. They have make their judgement based on their own situation, not yours. 

So having made the decision not to have a smart meter, what are consumers going to do in meter end-of-life situations when smart meters can be fitted without the consumer’s approval or when the next Government makes them mandatory? Italy made smart meters mandatory in 2006. This is now the case in France and, from 2025, in Germany.

People latch on to smart tariffs but that isn’t the reason why smart meters are offered/needed. Smart tariffs are just one of the benefits to consumers.

https://www.iea.org/energy-system/electricity/smart-grids#

‘Why are smart grids important?

Clean energy transitions entail large increases in electricity demand and the widespread rollout of variable renewables like wind and solar, placing greater demands on power grids. Smart grid technologies can help to manage this transition while reducing the need for costly new grid infrastructure, and can also help to make grids more resilient and reliable.’

The Government’s behavioural scientists who advised Ministers on how best to ‘sell’ smart meters to consumers need to hang their heads in shame. Has anybody seen Gaz and Leccy recently?

Altior

Obviously regular meters measure consumption, retrospectively and not remotely. Again, the OP needs to determine what they would gain by having them fitted. Equally, only they will know if they want to potentially moderate their usage depending upon the time of day it is. That can easily been flipped. Several supermarkets have loyalty systems at the moment that make it look like people part of the scheme are getting a discount, when the reality in a lot of cases is that actually, people who aren't in the scheme are being penalised with higher prices. That's their real life effect. 

Altior

Dolor, if you don't have a choice, then literally you don't have a choice. Currently, it appears that the OP does have the choice, as they are asking if it's the right time to get them installed. 

badmemory

Having a smart meter will not change how much energy you use.  Only you can do that.  Remember they had to stop the TV ads that said that.

QrizB

Altior said:

Obviously regular meters measure consumption, retrospectively and not remotely. Again, the OP needs to determine what they would gain by having them fitted.

OP wants a whole-house real-time energy monitor.

A smart meter will give them that. A conventional meter won't.

[Deleted User]

QrizB said:

Altior said:

Obviously regular meters measure consumption, retrospectively and not remotely. Again, the OP needs to determine what they would gain by having them fitted.

OP wants a whole-house real-time energy monitor.

A smart meter will give them that. A conventional meter won't.

Within the limitations of the smart meter system (that is, 10sec updating (kW and kWh) for electricity near real time information can be obtained from the Octopus Mini or Hildebrand IHD/CAD with Bright App.

 

Altior

Indeed, and a couple of people responded with posts that suggested, in effect it was a no brainer, and there would be no negatives. I'm not so sure that it's as clear cut as that, myself. It's obvious that there is immense enthusiasm (and indeed legislation, and now bungs) to get consumers across the line. If the OP is satisfied that there are no negatives for them, there is definitely a gain for them, as they will get their energy monitor they are seeking. 

[Deleted User]

in effect it was a no brainer, and there would be no negatives. I'm not so sure that it's as clear cut as that, myself

What exactly are the negatives that are making people nervous? All we are talking about here is 2 meters that measure energy usage along with a communications hub. Yes, there are some ongoing technical issues due to location and the distance between the gas meter and the comms hubs but these are slowly being addressed. Even without a working comms hub, the homeowner can still read the meters and provide readings for billing.

Do you know what your Grid voltage is? I do and so did my DNO when it was notified by my smart meter of high voltage. My supply has since been tapped down to 240V. 

Netexporter

What are the negatives in having a smart meter?

The worst case I can see is that if the smart meter can't connect, for some reason, you will still effectively have a dumb meter. At least it will be a recently calibrated and within its service life dumb meter.