Smart Meters. What's the point.

benny5

Earlier this year I had smart meters installed and ever since everything’s been fine, readings being transmitted and bills generated each month. 

Then last night there was a knock at the door and a gentleman from Morrison Data Services asked for access to read my meter.

When I asked the purpose of the visit given that I had a smart meter he said that didn’t matter and the ‘manual’ process would continue.

He showed me the reading on his mobile device which confirmed the correct meter No. and reading.

So why is all this money being wasted on the smart meter rollout?

debitcardmayhem

They have to check meters every 2? years 
Citation needed, where is @dolor …hmmmm

Netexporter

Meters have to be inspected, from time to time, including smart meters. I'm a bit surprised it being so soon after installation, though. Have the bills you've received had actual readings used, or estimated readings?

MeteredOut

Are your readings (assuming they are being sent) within expected ranges? If not, they might send someone out to check no-one has been fiddling things...

Spoonie_Turtle

debitcardmayhem said:

They have to check meters every 2? years 
Citation needed, where is @dolor …hmmmm

I fully expect this comment to be removed so please guys don't give the mods more work by discussing this, but Dolor was banned a few months ago now (absolutely no idea why).

JSHarris

FWIW, there is a big catch up programme going on to get statutory meter readings and inspections back on schedule.  The plague stopped them for a time, and some people may not have had a reading/inspection visit for some time.  We've not had one for about 4 years, I expect I'll get one very soon.  The purpose of these visits isn't just to read the meter.  They are often deliberately unannounced as they are also a tampering check and a condition check on the meter.  The statutory obligation to do these checks isn't likely to go away anytime soon, as there's no indication that the incidence of electricity theft is going down, or that meter reliability has improved to any noticeable degree.

Keep_pedalling

JSHarris said:

FWIW, there is a big catch up programme going on to get statutory meter readings and inspections back on schedule.  The plague stopped them for a time, and some people may not have had a reading/inspection visit for some time.  We've not had one for about 4 years, I expect I'll get one very soon.  The purpose of these visits isn't just to read the meter.  They are often deliberately unannounced as they are also a tampering check and a condition check on the meter.  The statutory obligation to do these checks isn't likely to go away anytime soon, as there's no indication that the incidence of electricity theft is going down, or that meter reliability has improved to any noticeable degree.

We had ours checked this week as well, but at least out outside. 

benny5

MeteredOut said:

Are your readings (assuming they are being sent) within expected ranges? If not, they might send someone out to check no-one has been fiddling things...

I have always monitored my usage and all actual reading are identical to those being transmitted and subsequently reflected on my bills.

Its the visit so soon after the installation that has puzzled me. My OH initial response was 'is the a scam' by someone trying to gain access to the property. 

Keep_pedalling

benny5 said:

MeteredOut said:

Are your readings (assuming they are being sent) within expected ranges? If not, they might send someone out to check no-one has been fiddling things...

I have always monitored my usage and all actual reading are identical to those being transmitted and subsequently reflected on my bills.

It’s the visit so soon after the installation that has puzzled me. My OH initial response was 'is the a scam' by someone trying to gain access to the property. 

I suspect the age of anyone’s individual meter had little to do with it more likely based on the last time a check occurred at your home. 

JSHarris

benny5 said:

MeteredOut said:

Are your readings (assuming they are being sent) within expected ranges? If not, they might send someone out to check no-one has been fiddling things...

I have always monitored my usage and all actual reading are identical to those being transmitted and subsequently reflected on my bills.

Its the visit so soon after the installation that has puzzled me. My OH initial response was 'is the a scam' by someone trying to gain access to the property. 

As above, it's not only, or even primarily, about reading the meter.  It's mostly about doing a visual inspection to ensure the meter is visually safe, still functioning and hasn't been tampered with.  I noticed last time that they took a photo of the meter as well, presumably this forms part of the evidence of condition.

Netexporter

My OH initial response was 'is the a scam' by someone trying to gain access to the property. 

MDS are a genuine company. They do most of the meter reading in the UK on behalf of the suppliers.