Severn Trent Amey duped me into a meter upgrade

2

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  • Cardew
    Cardew Posts: 29,036 Forumite
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    In simplistic terms, my understanding is that the person reading the water meter 'phones'(interrogates) your meter, which replies with its stored reading.
  • matelodave
    matelodave Posts: 8,606 Forumite
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    Cardew is correct, it only responds when interrogated, usually by someone driving past the meter as it uses very low power mobile radio frequencies (in the 433Mhz band)
    Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
  • anniecave
    anniecave Posts: 2,441 Forumite
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    matelodave wrote: »
    Cardew is correct, it only responds when interrogated, usually by someone driving past the meter as it uses very low power mobile radio frequencies (in the 433Mhz band)

    I have checked and I have this same meter. It was also Amey on behalf of Severn Trent. I don't think I was told in advance it would be a smart meter. I was told it does send automatic daily readings though, which I would assume is different from the "meter reader driving past" type.

    Happy to be told differently though.
    Indecision is the key to flexibility :)
  • Norman_Castle
    Norman_Castle Posts: 11,871 Forumite
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    edited 13 January 2018 at 9:07AM
    melita wrote: »
    a new one had been installed (Aquadis+ with Everblu Cyble enhanced).
    He told me that it was a mechanical meter, not smart and no wifi.
    Does it look like this?https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Itron-aquadis-Everblu-Cyble-enhanced-V2-1-water-meter/173071212892?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D49138%26meid%3Dfe1aff36ba5f4acd8abb54c09719bdb0%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D3%26sd%3D352230502702&_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850

    2Q==2Q==Thats not a smart meter. It will send a reading a short distance by radio frequency on request, normally every six months. If you notice a water supply company van stop suddenly outside your house then drive off again you've just had your meter read.
  • spiro
    spiro Posts: 6,403 Forumite
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    melita wrote: »
    We have complained and hope to have something sorted soon. Thanks to all for your comments. It helps to be able to let off steam on here and get other points of view.

    We are as far as possible a wifi free household - apart from mobile phones. I know we can't control external wifi, but we can at least minimise exposure. It's not just the radiation but the security aspect. Our router has wifi switched off and we feed broadband round the house using the mains. I have also switched wifi off in my car.
    So you are using PLC (power line carrier) to send the data around your house, do you realise you are also sending it around your neighbours houses?
    IT Consultant in the utilities industry specialising in the retail electricity market.

    4 Credit Card and 1 Loan PPI claims settled for £26k, 1 rejected (Opus).
  • Raxiel
    Raxiel Posts: 1,401 Forumite
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    If you are concerned about EM radiation from a smart meter you can fit it with one of these:
    https://store.planet-tachyon.com/tachyon-g-smart-gas-meter-emf-radiation-protection-kit/

    Meters fitted with those devices are perfectly safe.
    3.6 kW PV in the Midlands - 9x Sharp 400W black panels - 6x facing SE and 3x facing SW, Solaredge Optimisers and Inverter. 400W Derril Water (one day). Octopus Flux
  • matelodave
    matelodave Posts: 8,606 Forumite
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    edited 17 January 2018 at 7:16PM
    Raxiel wrote: »
    If you are concerned about EM radiation from a smart meter you can fit it with one of these:
    https://store.planet-tachyon.com/tachyon-g-smart-gas-meter-emf-radiation-protection-kit/

    Meters fitted with those devices are perfectly safe.

    Yes, I've seen those, just the job for those who are suitably gullible. Not sure if they are any good on water meters though, the operating frequency imay not be compatible.

    I wonder how many people are taken in and buy them but then I guess that a nation that's intelligent enough to vote for Donald Trump would embrace the benefits of these as well:rotfl::rotfl:

    Just put a tin bucket over the meter
    Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
  • Robisere
    Robisere Posts: 3,237 Forumite
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    Raxiel wrote: »
    If you are concerned about EM radiation from a smart meter you can fit it with one of these:
    https://store.planet-tachyon.com/tachyon-g-smart-gas-meter-emf-radiation-protection-kit/

    Meters fitted with those devices are perfectly safe.

    Anyone for a bottle of Snake Oil and a tinfoil suit?
    I think this job really needs
    a much bigger hammer.
  • Raxiel
    Raxiel Posts: 1,401 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post Name Dropper Photogenic
    matelodave wrote: »
    Yes, I've seen those, just the job for those who are suitably gullible. Not sure if they are any good on water meters though, the operating frequency imay not be compatible.

    I wonder how many people are taken in and buy them but then I guess that a nation that's intelligent enough to vote for Donald Trump would embrace the benefits of these as well:rotfl::rotfl:

    Just put a tin bucket over the meter

    Yes, I'm sure the disks are just as effective at stopping harmful rays be it a gas meter, electric meter, water meter, or a potato.
    Robisere wrote: »
    Anyone for a bottle of Snake Oil and a tinfoil suit?
    How about a rock that keeps tigers away?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSVqLHghLpw
    3.6 kW PV in the Midlands - 9x Sharp 400W black panels - 6x facing SE and 3x facing SW, Solaredge Optimisers and Inverter. 400W Derril Water (one day). Octopus Flux
  • Extra_vert
    Extra_vert Posts: 1 Newbie
    Since Severn Trent are not fitting smart meters yet, even for those who want them and are not scared of 'wifi' I think you need to have another look at the specs of the meter.
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