Smart meter - having second thoughts

Spoonie_Turtle

eastcorkram said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Cashmygiro said:

I wouldn't have one. If the Government are pushing for them then there is obviously no benefit to the end user by having one.

Okay well forgive me if I find that notion absolutely hilarious since being on a smart tariff has saved us getting on for £1,000 compared to the standard variable rate *just this year*. 

Most people's savings might be somewhat more modest.  But since this is a moneysaving site it would be remiss not to mention the very real, quantifiable benefits that smart meters are providing end users.

Are you high usage? You've saved £250 more than my total bill for a year. 

Yes we are, although that is for all our heating and hot water as well (all-electric).

The_Hawk

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Cashmygiro said:

I wouldn't have one. If the Government are pushing for them then there is obviously no benefit to the end user by having one.

Okay well forgive me if I find that notion absolutely hilarious since being on a smart tariff has saved us getting on for £1,000 compared to the standard variable rate *just this year*. 

Most people's savings might be somewhat more modest.  But since this is a moneysaving site it would be remiss not to mention the very real, quantifiable benefits that smart meters are providing end users.

My smart tariff savings amount to £750 over the last 12 months, bringing my total annual energy spend down from £3,000 (including standing charges) to £2,250.

I also benefitted from an extra £75 credit as a result of last winter's Demand Flexibility Service.

It seems I am another end user, who is benefitting from smart meters.

mongoose2009

I just glad that the GVT cant switch my  leccy off with a keyboard stroke

when "exigent circumstances" mean that "load shedding plan"

get put in place this winter when the winds not blowing and the suns not shining

Netexporter

mongoose2009 said:

I just glad that the GVT cant switch my  leccy off with a keyboard stroke

when "exigent circumstances" mean that "load shedding plan"

get put in place this winter when the winds not blowing and the suns not shining

If they find it necessary to load shed then they'll do it at substation level, so it won't matter what sort of meter you have, so you'll still be in the dark.

MultiFuelBurner

mongoose2009 said:

I just glad that the GVT cant switch my  leccy off with a keyboard stroke

when "exigent circumstances" mean that "load shedding plan"

get put in place this winter when the winds not blowing and the suns not shining

Can you quote where it states it would be as simple as a keystroke or any easier decision than that letter on your bill that designates rolling blackouts when needed. (Smart meter or not applies to everyone)

This winters outlook is far healthier than last year's from the early national grid report so again what source have you that this year will be worse than last year when we had no such exigent circumstances.

If you cannot provide information to backup your doom and gloom for this winter then it must be deemed as misinformation and unhelpful to the community.

https://www2.nationalgrideso.com/document/281666/download

rp1974

Recently had smart meters fitted,no difference,apart from no need to send readings,still check them,obviously.
Not telling me anything that I wasn't already aware of,not altering my consumption in the slightest,if something is consuming gas and/or electricity when if doesn't need to be then it gets switched off,exactly as it did before the smarts were fitted.
I can live with the possibility that "they" know my deeply uninteresting energy usage,every 30 minutes no less,and use said information as "they" see fit,my privacy and civil liberties in ruins therefore.

Cashmygiro

Netexporter said:

mongoose2009 said:

I just glad that the GVT cant switch my  leccy off with a keyboard stroke

when "exigent circumstances" mean that "load shedding plan"

get put in place this winter when the winds not blowing and the suns not shining

If they find it necessary to load shed then they'll do it at substation level, so it won't matter what sort of meter you have, so you'll still be in the dark.

To be honest I would be fine if it was done at substation level, they just aren't getting direct access to my meter.

Then talking of substations, why can't they use them to measure the country's energy instead of peddling the notion that we need smart meters to help plan the country's energy needs.

debitcardmayhem

Cashmygiro said:

Netexporter said:

mongoose2009 said:

I just glad that the GVT cant switch my  leccy off with a keyboard stroke

when "exigent circumstances" mean that "load shedding plan"

get put in place this winter when the winds not blowing and the suns not shining

If they find it necessary to load shed then they'll do it at substation level, so it won't matter what sort of meter you have, so you'll still be in the dark.

To be honest I would be fine if it was done at substation level, they just aren't getting direct access to my meter.

Then talking of substations, why can't they use them to measure the country's energy instead of peddling the notion that we need smart meters to help plan the country's energy needs.

So how do they know where the electricity goes to bill you, and as for gas….
As a point you seem to not understand they are not your meters

deano2099

Cashmygiro said:

Netexporter said:

mongoose2009 said:

I just glad that the GVT cant switch my  leccy off with a keyboard stroke

when "exigent circumstances" mean that "load shedding plan"

get put in place this winter when the winds not blowing and the suns not shining

If they find it necessary to load shed then they'll do it at substation level, so it won't matter what sort of meter you have, so you'll still be in the dark.

To be honest I would be fine if it was done at substation level, they just aren't getting direct access to my meter.

Then talking of substations, why can't they use them to measure the country's energy instead of peddling the notion that we need smart meters to help plan the country's energy needs.

Because at this point, houses in those areas have drastically different usage patterns. It's not like 30 years ago when everyone in the same area had the same work pattern, same sort of electric devices and so on.
These days some people work from home, some are out all day. Some have gas heating, some have electric heat pumps. Some have electric vehicles that need charging, some don't. Some have their own solar generation, others don't.
You can't just look at the usage of one terrace in a block anymore and assume the others are basically the same.

Cashmygiro

deano2099 said:

Cashmygiro said:

Netexporter said:

mongoose2009 said:

I just glad that the GVT cant switch my  leccy off with a keyboard stroke

when "exigent circumstances" mean that "load shedding plan"

get put in place this winter when the winds not blowing and the suns not shining

If they find it necessary to load shed then they'll do it at substation level, so it won't matter what sort of meter you have, so you'll still be in the dark.

To be honest I would be fine if it was done at substation level, they just aren't getting direct access to my meter.

Then talking of substations, why can't they use them to measure the country's energy instead of peddling the notion that we need smart meters to help plan the country's energy needs.

Because at this point, houses in those areas have drastically different usage patterns. It's not like 30 years ago when everyone in the same area had the same work pattern, same sort of electric devices and so on.
These days some people work from home, some are out all day. Some have gas heating, some have electric heat pumps. Some have electric vehicles that need charging, some don't. Some have their own solar generation, others don't.
You can't just look at the usage of one terrace in a block anymore and assume the others are basically the same.

This would still be the same at substation level even with all that you said. A substation supplying an estate it's going to have the same usage patterns of people working from home, car charging etc.