Lets talk SMART meters . . .

spendthrift33

If you have a SMART meter then you'll not be interested in this . . .UNLESS you're not happy with your SMART meter.

I had one at my last house and it was crap. It failed on numerous occasions and completely packed up for 18 months so a bloke used to pop round and read my meter like they did in the old days. . . honestly, yes. The supplier had two options, SMART or a bloke ( sorry ladies but it was never a woman . . .I don't know why . . .). there was no option to provide an on-line meter reading, trusting me to send them a monthly reading, oh no.

I've since moved. I'm in a house which doesn't have a (notso) SMART meter but Octopus ( who I think are a really good supplier by the way and, no, I don't work for them ) keep harassing me about having one. Why?

Well, it appears that HMG have targeted the energy suppliers with achieving SMART meter installations and if they don't hit their targets ( I believe it was 70% by March 2023 ) then the suppliers are fined ( we'll be paying the fine in our charges . . .) so to avoid the fines the suppliers need to get us SMART (ed) up.

But there's a further problem here . . . having a (notso) SMART meter is voluntary! So the Treasury are getting revenue from the suppliers through fines as a result of us not agreeing to having a (notso) SMART meter and then we're being charged extra for the fines imposed which increases the energy suppliers revenues and taxation and then  . . .goodness me, who gains out of all this?

What a fantastic business model . . . or have I got it wrong . . .?

Netexporter

 or have I got it wrong . . .?

Yes.

End of thread

mmmmikey

Yes, you've got it wrong. There are lots of threads on this forum that explain who benefits from smart meters and how. There are also posts from forumites who have legitimate concerns. If you are genuinely interested in understanding the smart meter rollout then I suggest you read some of those threads and then post back if you have anything new or useful to contribute to the discussion.

spendthrift33

Thanks for the feedback peeps ( do you work for energy companies?) but to those who, like me, don't want a 'spy in the camp' . . .don't be bullied into having one . . .trust yourself . . .

cannugec5

spendthrift33 said:

Thanks for the feedback peeps ( do you work for energy companies?) but to those who, like me, don't want a 'spy in the camp' . . .don't be bullied into having one . . .trust yourself . . .

But you’ve already got a “spy in the camp” - you have internet - or do you only log on when you are at work/ MacDonalds/ Grandma’s house? 

EssexHebridean

You have the voluntary bit wrong for sure. If an existing meter reaches end of life - exceeds its certification period - it must be replaced, and now, that replacement will be a smart meter. 

spendthrift33

But you’ve already got a “spy in the camp” - you have internet - or do you only log on when you are at work/ MacDonalds/ Grandma’s house? 

spendthrift33

Work, MacDonalds, Grandma?? Do you know how old I am ?? He He

GingerTim

Ah, the old 'you disagree with me so you must work for an energy company' routine - the last refuge of someone with no real arguments.

Petriix

In principle I'm against the general rollout of smart meters because the cost (many billions) has been shared out equally via all our standing charges. It's an enormous transfer of wealth from millions of people (whether they can afford it or not) to a few lucky shareholders of the companies that won the contracts.

Aside from that, I'm personally very happy with my own smart meter because it gives me access to very cheap electricity, ultimately saving me hundreds of pounds every year. 

Chris_b2z

GingerTim said:

Ah, the old 'you disagree with me so you must work for an energy company' routine - the last refuge of someone with no real arguments.

With all due respect, I don't see how anyone would be able to tell if someone posting on here is just a consumer or somehow associated with an energy company either as a current employee, previous employee or investor. It is absolutely correct for people to question the source of some opinions especially those that appear to align perfectly with the message being sent by the providers.

Without a doubt, we should be extremely grateful for the many members that are volunteering their time to provide a valuable support service. There would be less need for it if the market wasn't rigged to be unnecessarily complicated and suppliers were able to handle customer issues more effectively.

In my opinion, it would be a real benefit to everyone if suppliers would have named representatives in these forums.