British Gas and the Smart Meters

bob2302

Hoenir said:

pseudodox said:

From the outset it should have had the same approach as conversion to natural gas.  A street by street, area by area updating exercise. 

A while back around here. Thames Water did every street in rotation, Switching those without water meters to having one. Productivity was exceptional. As the job was seamlessly done very quickly. Rather than one at a time which would have taken an eternity. 

I'm guessing that they were outdoors in the street - a very different situation. 

BarelySentientAI

Ectophile said:

BarelySentientAI said:

I have no idea where this "supplier can turn my electricity on and off at will" comes from.  Under what circumstances do you think the supplier is suddenly going to turn your electricity off?  If it's for bad debt - they already can.  If it's for emergencies in the system - they already can.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a796c9e40f0b642860d7fa9/smart_meters_equipment_technical_spec_version_2.pdf

Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications Version 2, Section 5.5.3.9.

And the relevance to my comment is?

There is a technical capability.  That is not in question.  There is the technical capability for someone to come and pull the fuse at your house.

My question is why do people suddenly think this facility is going to be randomly used "at will" without any process, notice, recourse etc.

TheElectricCow

Ectophile said:

BarelySentientAI said:

I have no idea where this "supplier can turn my electricity on and off at will" comes from.  Under what circumstances do you think the supplier is suddenly going to turn your electricity off?  If it's for bad debt - they already can.  If it's for emergencies in the system - they already can.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a796c9e40f0b642860d7fa9/smart_meters_equipment_technical_spec_version_2.pdf

Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications Version 2, Section 5.5.3.9.

Yes we know it’s a capability, that still doesn’t explain why such a command would need to be issued except in the exact same circumstances a supply would already be interrupted. If the supply needs to be cut off for any reason it’ll be done regardless of what kind of meter a person has - at least if done via a smart meter the supply could be restored just as easily as it could be disabled.

CRISPIANNE3

mr_stripey said:

perhaps you should consider the benefits of a smart meter before dismissing it out of hand...

I mean, you'll get one eventually, one way or the other so maybe embrace it now.

We have a smart meter with BG and we are very pleased. Never any uses and accurate bills. We also pay by variable dd so only pay for what we have used. 

Also I was tempted to go for a slightly cheaper rate from Fuse but because of so many problems using minows in the past it just is't worth it. 

SilasMarner

CRISPIANNE3 said:

mr_stripey said:

perhaps you should consider the benefits of a smart meter before dismissing it out of hand...

I mean, you'll get one eventually, one way or the other so maybe embrace it now.

We have a smart meter with BG and we are very pleased. Never any uses and accurate bills. We also pay by variable dd so only pay for what we have used. 

Also I was tempted to go for a slightly cheaper rate from Fuse but because of so many problems using minows in the past it just is't worth it. 

Thank you for your reply. That's really useful in helping me in to the 2020's