Smart meters. Pros and cons

[gazdkw82]

My energy supplier igloo folded in oct and we've been with eon since. I keep getting emails and letters about upgrading to a smart meter.

What's the pros and cons?

I like the idea that I can monitor usage. I was looking at buying something for that purpose anyhow

 

[buzzlightyear]

I like the idea that I can monitor usage. I was looking at buying something for that purpose anyhow

I'm with EOn you get a a monitor see what and how much you use.

 

[gazdkw82]

I'm with EOn you get a a monitor see what and how much you use.

Any other feedback?

Would you reccomend the smart meter upgrade?

What happens if I end up leaving eon for another supplier?

 

[Darkwood]

We can go the known pros and cons or we can actually tell you when meters are capable of doing without you ever knowing, not suggesting it happens though.

At present different suppliers do not use a common method to send and recieve data meaning if you switch supplier you could be lumbered with a charge for them to change your original smart with a new one, this risk is higher if the smart meter is generation 1, I believe following gen models were compatible with more suppliers.

Now for the toe dip into conspiracy, the meters can be read remotely and they can also be updated ie firmware etc, there is in my view the ability to alter charge rates for short periods without anyone knowing, if a supplier is a bit let's say dodgy behind the boardroom curtains then what would stop them?
Of course this would be highly illegal and the idea any would try this is as I said still in the world of conspiracy such large pinch of salt on that one and don't make a decision based on this last point.

Ask your supplier if the meter is a gen 1 and push the question if you leave will any other supplier be able to use the existing smart meter.

 

[littlespark]

There’s also the suspected effect that smart meters MAY be causing rcd’s to trip.
Check some forum threads on the subject and get the tin foil out.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Harder to bypass a smets2 and get away with it...just saying

 

[buzzlightyear]

Now for the toe dip into conspiracy, the meters can be read remotely and they can also be updated ie firmware etc, there is in my view the ability to alter charge rates

Nah EOn sent a email for a meter reading which me work out how much we used for gas and electricity.

 

[pc1966]

There’s also the suspected effect that smart meters MAY be causing rcd’s to trip.
Check some forum threads on the subject and get the tin foil out.

Better still get the metal CU in!

 

[Avo Mk8]

We can go the known pros and cons or we can actually tell you when meters are capable of doing without you ever knowing, not suggesting it happens though.

Hi Darkwood.
You are a long term member here, and I respect your experience and knowledge; please take my comments as well intentioned. I don't think we should be putting Gazdkw off getting a smart meter!!

I feel you've presented a slightly cynical view of what this country intended as a valid attempt to make people more aware of their energy use.

I'm retired, admittedly using too much energy (in the kWh sense!) but feel a lot of criticism (generally, I don't mean this particular posting) is directed against smart meters, and the data collection "system", and not enough against the commercial electricity suppliers.

At present different suppliers do not use a common method to send and recieve data

Now all suppliers targets are to install SMETS-2 meters, which do use a common method (sending & receiving data) to two national hubs (independent of the suppliers)
Quite a good narrative of how the Data Communication Company etc is supposed to work here:

The UK Smart Meter Data Ecosystem

Disclaimer: this blog post is about my understanding of the UK’s smart meter data ecosystem and contains some opinions about how it might evolve. These do not in any way reflect those of Ener…

blog.ldodds.com

meaning if you switch supplier you could be lumbered with a charge for them to change your original smart with a new one,

I don't believe suppliers can charge for having to update your meter (eg if it's a SMETS-1 meter). They might refuse to do it though!

I believe following gen models were compatible with more suppliers.

I believe that's all suppliers now.

Now for the toe dip into conspiracy, the meters can be read remotely and they can also be updated ie firmware etc,

True. So can other domestic appliances, security cameras, fire alarms, computers, phones, the list goes on.....

there is in my view the ability to alter charge rates for short periods without anyone knowing, if a supplier is a bit let's say dodgy behind the boardroom curtains then what would stop them?

Well in theory? I don't doubt the design of the meters and the standards to which they are built and tested, as that's well tied down, and I believe, excepting fault conditions, the data is reported accurately. How the suppliers deal with the data is up to their business ethics, and the law. I've had some pretty rubbish experiences from suppliers myself, but not to the extent of 'fiddling the books'. I don't feel such arguments invalidate the goal to install smart meters, and it's not fair to score it a C1 instead of a C3 for something you fear 'might' happen!

Ask your supplier if the meter is a gen 1 and push the question if you leave will any other supplier be able to use the existing smart meter.

Anyway, rant over. Apologies. Please let me know if I've made any false claims!
The glass is empty and it's bed time

 

[littlespark]

That’s what we’re here for- a balanced discussion.

I still can’t get a smart meter from BG because I have solar panels.
That might have changed now with SMETS2, but I’m not as enthusiastic to keep asking them about it as I once was.

I have an energy monitor, which gives a snapshot of usage, but it doesn’t know the way the electric’s going either.

At night, the reading is what I’m using. By day, it’s what I’m exporting.

 

[baldelectrician]

That’s what we’re here for- a balanced discussion.

I still can’t get a smart meter from BG because I have solar panels.
That might have changed now with SMETS2, but I’m not as enthusiastic to keep asking them about it as I once was.

I have an energy monitor, which gives a snapshot of usage, but it doesn’t know the way the electric’s going either.

At night, the reading is what I’m using. By day, it’s what I’m exporting.

Smart meters can read the actual export and you could be paid the actual export as opposed to deemed export.

As far as the other stuff-
I got my smart meter taken out as I did not want to be switched to pre pay without my authorisation, if you fail a direct debit they can make you go to pre pay at the push of a button.
With a dumb meter they have to apply for a court order which may or may not be granted.

 

[littlespark]

Smart meters can read the actual export and you could be paid the actual export as opposed to deemed export.

As far as the other stuff-
I got my smart meter taken out as I did not want to be switched to pre pay without my authorisation, if you fail a direct debit they can make you go to pre pay at the push of a button.
With a dumb meter they have to apply for a court order which may or may not be granted.

That goes back to Darkwoods comments about unscrupulous suppliers.
It doesn’t matter if it’s possible to change your tariff remotely, they would still need to give you notice they were doing so.

As there are less and less suppliers out there, it’s only the big boys left, really…. They don’t want to be seen doing anything dodgy.

 

[DPG]

Smart meters can read the actual export and you could be paid the actual export as opposed to deemed export.

As far as the other stuff-
I got my smart meter taken out as I did not want to be switched to pre pay without my authorisation, if you fail a direct debit they can make you go to pre pay at the push of a button.
With a dumb meter they have to apply for a court order which may or may not be granted.

A bit over the top that. I'm sure they would contact you first when the payment failed!

 

[brianmoooore]

As someone who has been in dispute with one of my suppliers for four years, and have a thick folder of letters threatening various sanctions, including disconnection of supply, my biggest objection to a smart meter is the fact that then contain a contactor which can be used to remotely disconnect the supply An option which I'm sure would have been hinted at by now, if I had one.

 

[gazdkw82]

I phoned them today,

It's a gen 2 and they have promised me that the meter is compatible with any supplier if I choose to move.

Iv booked it in for late Feb. Both gas and elec

 

[Spoon]

I phoned them today,

It's a gen 2 and they have promised me that the meter is compatible with any supplier if I choose to move.

Get it in writing.

Will they also fit an isolator, while they are changing the meter?

 

[7029 dave]

Having been in metering for 11years, energy suppliers just cannot cut supply.
If money is owed they have a duty to keep the customer on supply with a pre payment meter, and debt can be put on the meter with a recovery charge which will be discussed depending how much debt has been accrued, and what the customer can afford at no interest at all.
Equally with repeat offenders by passing meters to obtain free electricity, the above process is normally applied, the revenue protection teams are even told not to go out and look for by passes as they used to.
The only time I have seen full disconnection ie cable ditched in street is on cannabis farms by order of the DNO.
Energy suppliers dont like the publicity on these matters. They offset their tariff prices to cover such events ie the honest consumer always ends up paying.

 

[gazdkw82]

Get it in writing.

Will they also fit an isolator, while they are changing the meter?

I already have an isolator. Annoyingly fitted by myself last year

 

[buzzlightyear]

I already have an isolator. Annoyingly fitted by myself last year

whip it out and ask for a new one and sell the old one .

 

[gazdkw82]

whip it out and ask for a new one and sell the old one .

Too much effort for such a small gain. The isolators ain't worth much really