Smart Meter - no thanks!

sheenas

I think the meter sends reading every half hour, not sure why it takes so long for the app to update?

Ayr_Rage

sheenas said:

I think the meter sends reading every half hour, not sure why it takes so long for the app to update?

If that was directed at me, then please see below.

Bendo

sheenas said:

I think the meter sends reading every half hour, not sure why it takes so long for the app to update?

They record usage for every 30 minute period. You supplier will typically pull that data in once a day.

debitcardmayhem

sheenas said:

I think the meter sends reading every half hour, not sure why it takes so long for the app to update?

The supplier generally pulls the data once a day, the meter doesn’t send the data. They have to check the  previous data to work out the savings. 

QrizB

Davesquire said:

Looks as though it has pre-pay gas/elec meters (or at least some sort of "not very" smart meter).

You might have smart meters in prepayment mode. Or you might have dumb prepayment meters. Of, if you're really unlucky, you might have one of each (smart electricity, dumb gas).

If you want to stay on prepayment, you can keep your current meters. If you want a credit account, a smart meter can (usually) be reconfigured remotely but a dumb meter will need to be replaced.

The replacement will almost certainly be a smart meter. 

Davesquire said:

Can I insist on my provider removing "un smart" meters and replacing them with a good old fashioned "it works" meter? 

No.

mr_stripey

Davesquire said:

Hello forumites.
I am due to move into a new place, which was I believe was previously housing association.
Looks as though it has pre-pay gas/elec meters (or at least some sort of "not very" smart meter).
I have zero confidence in so called "smart" meters, which appear to have caused nothing but problems since day one.
Can I insist on my provider removing "un smart" meters and replacing them with a good old fashioned "it works" meter? 
Yes, I might end up paying a little more and having to submit readings, but until I have some reassurance in them, I don't want them.
Thank-you for your advice.

Even if they wanted to, they wouldn't be able to. Meter manufacturers re tooled to make the smart meters years ago. Old style meters are not available anymore, other then residual stocks which are likely out of certification.

Old meters are gone, and they are not coming back

dunstonh

I have zero confidence in so called "smart" meters, which appear to have caused nothing but problems since day one.

Your lack of knowledge is not grounds for refusing a smart meter.

Can I insist on my provider removing "un smart" meters and replacing them with a good old fashioned "it works" meter? 

You do realise that that there is virtually no difference between a smart meter and one of the old fashioned meters you refer to?   And a smart meter that fails effectively becomes an old meter requiring manual readings.

Qyburn

mr_stripey said:

Even if they wanted to, they wouldn't be able to. Meter manufacturers re tooled to make the smart meters years ago. Old style meters are not available anymore, other then residual stocks which are likely out of certification.

There are loads of conventional meters still being made, but I presume the issue is that they're not certified for a licensed supply.

bagand96

The bit of the meter that measures the amount of energy is the same if you have a smart meter or an old meter.

Smart meters have a communications hub in addition that does the smart bit of sending data to your supplier.

If the comms hub has issues or the smart part isn't working then a smart meter is just like an old meter.  It will still measure the energy, it still has a display that you can get a reading from and submit to your supplier.  

Davesquire

nologo said:

In short no, it's not your meter & if it doesn't have a smart meter you will be getting one
sorry to disappoint you
regards nologo

Thank-you for your answer. Can you please point to where it is mandatory/legislated that I MUST have a smart meter please, or is it the case that all(?) providers now insist?