Smart Meter? Yay or Nay?
Should I go ahead or keep with the Old-Skool meters? Both Gas and Leccy?
Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.
Comments
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I’m not sure what you get out of it.
British Gas did a horrendous job of fitting my smart meter in the last house. It told me nothing I didn’t know before and saved zero money.
Added smart meter functionality means a supplier can cut off your gas/electricity without gaining access to your property.
Suppliers will have to pay a fine if they don’t install enough smart meters hence the pressure.
However, If it allows access to a tariff that’s unavailable without a smart meter which would save you a lot of money then it’s worth considering.0 -
I hate the way they try to pass them off as 'saving you money'. Unless you are leaving things on unnecessarily I don't see how they do. It is far more about making life easier for the company which is why they keep pushing you to get one installed. It takes about 5 minutes a month to take a meter reading and upload it to the supplier.0
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This is the only reason to get one. My gas one packed in years ago and apart from 5 minutes a month to give a reading I have lost nothing. Saved money on meter electricity. 🤣mully79 said:I’m not sure what you get out of it.
British Gas did a horrendous job of fitting my smart meter in the last house. It told me nothing I didn’t know before and saved zero money.
Added smart meter functionality means a supplier can cut off your gas/electricity without gaining access to your property.
Suppliers will have to pay a fine if they don’t install enough smart meters hence the pressure.
However, If it allows access to a tariff that’s unavailable without a smart meter which would save you a lot of money then it’s worth considering.The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
I got one for the 'lectric, and that's quite interesting to see daily usage (and it did persuade me to change the timer on a heater), but gas, no.0
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I've resisted because of the hidden nasties (and I thought they might condemn my fuse board!)
The hidden nasties...
They can cut you off remotely as mentioned above.
Also they could charge you different rates for different times of the day. It's sure to come one day.
I'm going to have to get one because that will be the only way that I can get day and night rate electric. At present the signal which switches from day to night rates comes down the mains cable (I think it's a radio signal). They are going to discontinue this system next year, and it will be the smart meter that then makes the change over.
The older I get, the better I was.0 -
Economy 7 has been around since at least my childhood. Better rates for times of low demand is a good thing.capt_slog said:I've resisted because of the hidden nasties (and I thought they might condemn my fuse board!)
The hidden nasties...
They can cut you off remotely as mentioned above.
Also they could charge you different rates for different times of the day. It's sure to come one day.
I'm going to have to get one because that will be the only way that I can get day and night rate electric. At present the signal which switches from day to night rates comes down the mains cable (I think it's a radio signal). They are going to discontinue this system next year, and it will be the smart meter that then makes the change over.
As BT says, daily and weekly use data throws up some interesting insights. You can also start calculating what savings you can realistically make with, say, better insulation, using your own data.1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
Pinnacle Monzonite
Part of the anti-growth coalition0 -
I think I'll stick at the moment. I think any savings I could possibly eek out of it would be more than offset by redecorating the mess that the bodgit installers would create.
Home is already insulated as much as realistically possible with new widows and doors, underfloor and loft insulation, new boiler etc.Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.
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It certainly been around since mine ( I can still remember the advert!) and we had it then. My dad invested in storage heaters and cursed the buggers ever after. He somehow thought they stored electricity, and you could use that the next day to heat your home. Ah well. Of course if it wasn't cold the next day, you had all that excess heat to get rid of.rjsterry said:
Economy 7 has been around since at least my childhood. Better rates for times of low demand is a good thing.capt_slog said:I've resisted because of the hidden nasties (and I thought they might condemn my fuse board!)
The hidden nasties...
They can cut you off remotely as mentioned above.
Also they could charge you different rates for different times of the day. It's sure to come one day.
I'm going to have to get one because that will be the only way that I can get day and night rate electric. At present the signal which switches from day to night rates comes down the mains cable (I think it's a radio signal). They are going to discontinue this system next year, and it will be the smart meter that then makes the change over.
As BT says, daily and weekly use data throws up some interesting insights. You can also start calculating what savings you can realistically make with, say, better insulation, using your own data.
I've had economy 7 for years too, and it is its continued use that will force the smart meter into Chez Slog.
BTW, although I've moved a couple of times, I'm now in the same house where I was born, and in the same bedroom.
The older I get, the better I was.0 -
That's weird imo. If I moved back to my childhood home I'd be in my parents room.capt_slog said:
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BTW, although I've moved a couple of times, I'm now in the same house where I was born, and in the same bedroom.
Don't the parents always get the best room?The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
Ah storage heaters... (shudder)capt_slog said:
It certainly been around since mine ( I can still remember the advert!) and we had it then. My dad invested in storage heaters and cursed the buggers ever after. He somehow thought they stored electricity, and you could use that the next day to heat your home. Ah well. Of course if it wasn't cold the next day, you had all that excess heat to get rid of.rjsterry said:
Economy 7 has been around since at least my childhood. Better rates for times of low demand is a good thing.capt_slog said:I've resisted because of the hidden nasties (and I thought they might condemn my fuse board!)
The hidden nasties...
They can cut you off remotely as mentioned above.
Also they could charge you different rates for different times of the day. It's sure to come one day.
I'm going to have to get one because that will be the only way that I can get day and night rate electric. At present the signal which switches from day to night rates comes down the mains cable (I think it's a radio signal). They are going to discontinue this system next year, and it will be the smart meter that then makes the change over.
As BT says, daily and weekly use data throws up some interesting insights. You can also start calculating what savings you can realistically make with, say, better insulation, using your own data.
I've had economy 7 for years too, and it is its continued use that will force the smart meter into Chez Slog.
BTW, although I've moved a couple of times, I'm now in the same house where I was born, and in the same bedroom.1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
Pinnacle Monzonite
Part of the anti-growth coalition0 -
This is an imperfect mediumpblakeney said:
That's weird imo. If I moved back to my childhood home I'd be in my parents room.capt_slog said:
...
BTW, although I've moved a couple of times, I'm now in the same house where I was born, and in the same bedroom.
Don't the parents always get the best room?
I meant "the same room I was born in", not the bedroom I had as a youngster.
The older I get, the better I was.0 -
capt_slog said:
This is an imperfect mediumpblakeney said:
That's weird imo. If I moved back to my childhood home I'd be in my parents room.capt_slog said:
...
BTW, although I've moved a couple of times, I'm now in the same house where I was born, and in the same bedroom.
Don't the parents always get the best room?
I meant "the same room I was born in", not the bedroom I had as a youngster.
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
photonic69 said:
I think I'll stick at the moment. I think any savings I could possibly eek out of it would be more than offset by redecorating the mess that the bodgit installers would create.
Home is already insulated as much as realistically possible with new widows and doors, underfloor and loft insulation, new boiler etc.
Is there something special about the insulating properties of new ones?Open One+ BMC TE29 Seven 622SL On One Scandal Cervelo RS0 -
On a sunny day with my solar panels enjoying their best life, my analogue meter actually goes into reverse. An electrician told me a few years ago to avoid getting a smart meter for as long as possible since they won't go backwards. I wonder if this was an anomaly of the first generation or a feature of all smart meters?
Obviously, I'm not keen to ask my supplier; I already spend enough of my time fending off requests to have a smart meter fitted.================================
Cake is just weakness entering the body0 -
There are feed in tariffs and other special arrangements for small generators. You won't earn the same per kWh as you pay (which is what I think your reversing meter is effectively doing) but I have a feeling you may not be abiding by the terms of your supply agreement if you are feeding in to the grid unofficially. Might be worth checking.wakemalcolm said:On a sunny day with my solar panels enjoying their best life, my analogue meter actually goes into reverse. An electrician told me a few years ago to avoid getting a smart meter for as long as possible since they won't go backwards. I wonder if this was an anomaly of the first generation or a feature of all smart meters?
Obviously, I'm not keen to ask my supplier; I already spend enough of my time fending off requests to have a smart meter fitted.
1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
Pinnacle Monzonite
Part of the anti-growth coalition0 -
Yup. That doesn't sound right at all.rjsterry said:
There are feed in tariffs and other special arrangements for small generators. You won't earn the same per kWh as you pay (which is what I think your reversing meter is effectively doing) but I have a feeling you may not be abiding by the terms of your supply agreement if you are feeding in to the grid unofficially. Might be worth checking.wakemalcolm said:On a sunny day with my solar panels enjoying their best life, my analogue meter actually goes into reverse. An electrician told me a few years ago to avoid getting a smart meter for as long as possible since they won't go backwards. I wonder if this was an anomaly of the first generation or a feature of all smart meters?
Obviously, I'm not keen to ask my supplier; I already spend enough of my time fending off requests to have a smart meter fitted.
The older I get, the better I was.0 -
Do you still get the deemed export payments as well (50% of the solar generated)?wakemalcolm said:On a sunny day with my solar panels enjoying their best life, my analogue meter actually goes into reverse. An electrician told me a few years ago to avoid getting a smart meter for as long as possible since they won't go backwards. I wonder if this was an anomaly of the first generation or a feature of all smart meters?
Obviously, I'm not keen to ask my supplier; I already spend enough of my time fending off requests to have a smart meter fitted.
You can get a meter with a backstop which is not smart, but doesn't go backwards. If you get a smart meter you won't receive the 50% deemed export, but instead will receive the actual amount you export. I think in many cases this will be less.0 -
Yup. For a start they are better than the single glazed, aluminium framed, draughty ones they replaced!!!Wheelspinner said:photonic69 said:I think I'll stick at the moment. I think any savings I could possibly eek out of it would be more than offset by redecorating the mess that the bodgit installers would create.
Home is already insulated as much as realistically possible with new widows and doors, underfloor and loft insulation, new boiler etc.
Is there something special about the insulating properties of new ones?Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.
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I think you need to look again at the bit highlighted in his quote!photonic69 said:
Yup. For a start they are better than the single glazed, aluminium framed, draughty ones they replaced!!!Wheelspinner said:photonic69 said:I think I'll stick at the moment. I think any savings I could possibly eek out of it would be more than offset by redecorating the mess that the bodgit installers would create.
Home is already insulated as much as realistically possible with new widows and doors, underfloor and loft insulation, new boiler etc.
Is there something special about the insulating properties of new ones?2 -
Haha! Yes. They are cost effective, gagging for it and usually come with a hefty life insurance payout pot as a bonus!Pross said:
I think you need to look again at the bit highlighted in his quote!photonic69 said:
Yup. For a start they are better than the single glazed, aluminium framed, draughty ones they replaced!!!Wheelspinner said:photonic69 said:I think I'll stick at the moment. I think any savings I could possibly eek out of it would be more than offset by redecorating the mess that the bodgit installers would create.
Home is already insulated as much as realistically possible with new widows and doors, underfloor and loft insulation, new boiler etc.
Is there something special about the insulating properties of new ones?Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.
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I am a qualified electrical engineer and I could not see how your smart meter could do this. After some googling I am still unable to verify the accuracy of this statement.oxoman said:The new smart meters know when electricity is imported via solar, turbine etc.
Perhaps the OP can enlighten me.
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Apologies. I thought you were suggesting that the smart meter could tell where the electricity being supplied from the grid had come from!oxoman said:Snap. Qualified Spark here. If you go through the settings on Some smart meters you will find your normal usage data and tariff rates but you will also find an import reading for solar panels etc. How accurate it is I know not but it is an option. They have to be able to record the imported somehow. They don't fit extra meters just to read whatever is generated through the solar panels and inverters.
A quick Google tells you that the newer meters are Bi Directional meters read power consumed and fed back into the grid. The one thing I don't like about smart meters is they have built in a remote disconnection facility should you owe them to much.0 -
Resurrecting this thread for some advice.
Bought a new house a while back but not fully moved in as we've been doing it up.
With BG for Gas and Electricity, was put on an initial tariff which was far too high as we were not living there permanently. BG have since reduced the tariff twice so I have now gone from £200 a month to around £40 a month (which is still above the current usage). This is not a criticism of BG they have been good and have reduced my bills accordingly and also reimbursed the massive amount of credit I had built up.
We will likely be fully moved in over the next few weeks and obviously our usage will then increase significantly. I don't really want the tariff to shoot up and would rather just pay for what I am using so it seems like a smart meter may be a sensible option?
Any thoughts on whether this might be the best choice and also how those with SM have found them?
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We use BG for electricity (no gas where I am) and have a smart meter.
We pay a monthly standing order based on projected usage and, a few months ago, the account balance was well over £1200 in credit and so we reduced the standing order amount. To cut an long story short, it transpired that BG had not been taking out anything from our account for about 14 months. No idea why and neither had they. It was obviously their fault and they dealt with it very well (including giving us a bit of credit for our inconvenience) so my experience leads me to suggest that if you do go down the SM route, you need to keep an eye on the account to make sure your usage is being deducted. Having said that, they did say that it was a highly unusual situation (but they would say that wouldn't they?)
The most significant thing I found with a smart meter is that you can see what you are using daily/weekly and whether you are above or below budget. This also brings your whole daily electricity use into sharp focus and I've never turned so many lights off!
If nothing else, seeing what you are using every hour/day/week does lead to a more efficient and economical use of your household electricity.
Wilier Izoard XP1 -
previously shell sm, which migrated to octopus (using the same sm) when shell exited the market, no complaints
octopus are more on the ball when it comes to adjusting direct debit to avoid excess credit building up, it's easy to check usage on the website - you can also make ad hoc payments if you like, i guess you could set a low dd amount and then self-manage the correct monthly payment
have you looked at the uswitch site to get comparisons for the suppliers in your area? and check if split tariff and/or supplier works better for you
my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny1 -
I think that tally's with my thoughts, knowing what exactly what we are using will be helpful, and also BG knowing our specific usage and over the longer term being on an accurate tariff might be the best option.
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I had a look when we bought the house and essentially we could not find another supplier that would even offer us a contract, so we were essentially stuck with BG. Fortunately their deal was pretty good anyway and the customer service has been good to date. No harm in me having another check though as we are 12 months on now.
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Had our house rewired after a fire a few years ago. One of the workies who wasn't a complete shyster, the sparkie, saw our solar panels and advised us against getting a smart meter as the old ones go backwards in the middle of summer.
Might be worth reinvesting now that tariffs that only come with smart meters are more flexible in terms of times of usage.
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Cake is just weakness entering the body0
