British gas intend fitting an unwanted smart meter...

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81932127#Comment_81932127

That argument is technically tidy but practically blinkered. It treats the smart meter as if it’s just a passive key to a tariff menu, when in reality it’s part of a broader system that helps consumers change behaviours and that’s where much of the savings come from.

First, yes, access to time-of-use or dynamic tariffs is a major benefit, and those tariffs can reduce costs. But without a smart meter, those tariffs don’t exist for most households. Saying “it’s the tariff, not the meter” is like saying “it’s the engine, not the car”. It may be true in isolation, but meaningless in practice because one enables the other.

Second, smart meters provide real-time or near-real-time feedback. That visibility changes how people use energy: shifting usage away from peak times, spotting waste, adjusting habits. Numerous studies have shown that simply making consumption visible reduces it. That reduction is a direct consequence of the meter, not the tariff.

Third, they improve billing accuracy and eliminate estimated bills. That doesn’t just avoid overpayment. It also helps people budget better and respond sooner when usage spikes. Again, not a tariff effect.

Finally, the “it’s an outright lie” framing is unnecessarily rigid. In everyday language, people credit the tool that enabled the outcome. No one says, “My spreadsheet didn’t save me money, it merely allowed me to organise financial data which led to improved decisions.” They say, “My spreadsheet saved me money,” and everyone understands what they mean.

A clearer phrasing might be more precise but calling the common version a “lie” confuses pedantry with accuracy.

Saying a smart meter doesn’t save money is like saying a fitness tracker doesn’t improve your health, it just gives you data. True… right up until you notice the data is the whole reason you changed what you were doing.

Netexporter

Smart meters for smart people…

debitcardmayhem

I

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81932249#Comment_81932249

I remember the Smart car , "driven by idiots", or the ones designed by computers, built by robots, driven by Italians. But I don't see the relevance with BG and meters and the resistance to progress .

born_again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81931953#Comment_81931953

While off topic.

You are missing the important statement of the 10p extra fuel duty that will be added to petrol & diesel in these 2 years 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

So even with a extra 5ppm, my EV would only cost 7ppm, compared to the 12ppm my previous hybrid cost (not including any fuel duty increases)

WiserMiser

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81932784#Comment_81932784

Yes, we've gone off topic. Just for the record, a 10p rise isn't planned. Currently it's intended that fuel duty will increase in three stages: 1p on 1 September 2026, 2p on 1 December 2026 and 2p on 1 March 2027.

From April 2027 the government intends to uprate fuel duty rates by Retail Prices Index. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fuel-duty-rates-for-2026-to-2027/fuel-duty-rates-2026-to-2027#detailed-proposal

Given the current world situation, it remains to be seen whether the government will risk the unpopularity these increases would cause. We'll have to wait and see.

Silvertabby

We've only had our smart meters a couple of months, so too soon to tell. But when Mr S plugged in the usage monitor thingy I told him not to bother checking it when the tumble dryer was on, because it would only put his blood pressure up and I had no intention of stopping using it.

As for cheap tariffs, a chap on the TV said he had saved a fortune by just using his washer, dryer and dishwasher overnight. I won't repeat what Mr S (retired leccy) said to that.

Scot_39

1.2, 2.4 and 2.4 p on prices - lets not ignore the 20% vat on top of those duty rises.

Marvel1

I had my meters changed over a year ago, I had too - the prepayment on the gas meter wouldn't let me top up.

I thought may as well do the electric too same time.

What did kind of annoy me is when the installer checked my booiler, asked quesitons - how long have had it? Happy with it? Looking for a new one? No I am not, I wanted to say really was something like "you are only here to change the meters and check the gas stove and boiler is working ok".

I signed up British Gas's sunday 1/2 price from 11:00 to 16:00 - it stopped for some reason, I was on the wrong tariff for it and have to change to a new fixed tariff. I have no changed my habits, I am not waiting until 11am to put the washing on or only using the oven beetween those hours on the Sunday.

The IHD thing has never worked or the apps.

I set my own DD amount up as felt they set it too low - I only ever pre-payment so moved to credit on the smart meter. I'm a low user anyway and rarely leave things running, somehow must have worked as they refunded £400 and dropped my DD from £100 to £30! I did make a thread on it as was unsure, but I put £200 back in and upped the DD to £50.

ohreallƳ

@Marvel1

Is there a reason you're not getting billed for actual use each month via a variable DD? Or was this your preference.

fuzzzzy

A sticker on my GEC electricity meter says "Certified T 11 96" so I am guessing maybe it has a certification period of 30 years which will be up in November this year?

I can't find my meter type on any of the lists to confirm the certification period though.

It is type C11B3A-H.