Changing my meter, economy 7

Grrrlracer

I'm currently with British Gas for my electric and the bills are huge for a one bedroom flat (£200 a month) so I've had my storage heating removed and am looking at a mostly solar instilation in the future. For now, I just want to go onto a single rate, but British Gas will only change me to a smart meter, which will struggle to get a signal in my listed 500 yr old property. Can anyone point me in the right direction to a supplier who will give me a conventional meter?

Mark_d

What's your issue with having a smart meter?  From what you say, the smart meter would function as a traditional meter given that it can't get signal in your property.

Grrrlracer

Mark_d said:

What's your issue with having a smart meter?  From what you say, the smart meter would function as a traditional meter given that it can't get signal in your property.

How does it do that? Won't it be forever trying to sinal out?

TheElectricCow

Grrrlracer said:

Mark_d said:

What's your issue with having a smart meter?  From what you say, the smart meter would function as a traditional meter given that it can't get signal in your property.

How does it do that? Won't it be forever trying to sinal out?

Yes, although from a customer perspective that just means it will operate no differently to a conventional meter, so worst case scenario is it does exactly what you’re looking for. 

Mark_d

A smart meter look just like a digital traditional meter.  Smart meters come with a comms hub (which will try to communicate with your supplier)  and some have an in-home display.  But if you want to use your smart meter just like a traditional meter, then you can.

mmmmikey

Think of it like buying a 5G mobile phone if you're not currently in a 5G area. It won't work on 5G at the moment, but when/if coverage is improved it will work fine. Getting a smart meter now is much the same - a good way of future proofing. Also, you might find the signal is good enough anyway - it can be quite surprising how they bounce around, with some people who expect a good signal not getting one and vice versa. There are also various options now around external antenna I believe. Nothing to lose by getting a smart meter and lots to gain, if not now then in the future when coverage improves.

Grrrlracer

I've just been talking to a nice person at Utilities Warehouse and he is arranging a dumbed down smart meter install. That'll do. I'm happy now!  Thanks for all your comments. 

MP1995

Grrrlracer said:

I'm currently with British Gas for my electric and the bills are huge for a one bedroom flat (£200 a month) so I've had my storage heating removed and am looking at a mostly solar instilation in the future. For now, I just want to go onto a single rate, but British Gas will only change me to a smart meter, which will struggle to get a signal in my listed 500 yr old property. Can anyone point me in the right direction to a supplier who will give me a conventional meter?

I think this js right - Did you know that when you have a smart meter fitted it actually extends the range of nearby smart meters and connectivity through a mesh network.

Therefore the more people that get one and they link together the better coverage there will be in the UK.

You can have a smart meter installed in dumb mode but if you want anon smart meter installed that's a cost to you then you have to get your supplier to accept it.

Spoonie_Turtle

What heating will you be using now?  Will you still be on Economy 7?

bob2302

Grrrlracer said:

I'm currently with British Gas for my electric and the bills are huge for a one bedroom flat (£200 a month) so I've had my storage heating removed and am looking at a mostly solar instilation in the future.

Unless you have installed a gas boiler or heat pump that could be expensive.

Ectophile

Grrrlracer said:

I'm currently with British Gas for my electric and the bills are huge for a one bedroom flat (£200 a month) so I've had my storage heating removed and am looking at a mostly solar instilation in the future. For now, I just want to go onto a single rate, but British Gas will only change me to a smart meter, which will struggle to get a signal in my listed 500 yr old property. Can anyone point me in the right direction to a supplier who will give me a conventional meter?

Are you going to be allowed to stick solar panels on your listed building?

Bear in mind that solar is great in the spring and summer, and you could end up with more electricity than you know what to do with.  But in the depths of winter, when you really need the heating, it's stuff all use.