General Chat

I had a chap about a year ago, an said "hello mr W*****, i'm from S******** p****. i,ve come to install your smart meter, I said really, don't think so , iv'e not enquired about one, not asked for one, and i don't want one,,, think he sat in his van for 10 mins,on the phone,, then he just drove away,, couple weeks ago a letter from same company hello again , we are in your area installing S,Ms telling me all about them, just give us a call, if we don't hear from you, we might just pop around,,, i'm still waiting,, kraftwerke,,,,

Hi Phyll,
No they can't!
As the demand is in writing, you have evidence of the company threatening you.
Complain/reply to the energy company, and it may be an idea to contact CAB.

Progress curtailed. :-S

I received my 3rd or 4th letter regarding having a smart meter. I have ignored all of them as I don't want one but at the bottom of the letter is says that they will get a court order to enter our property to install it if we don't reply. Can they do this?
Phyll

As a follow up from this, the elderly neighbour had an arranged call-back from her energy supplier today.

Armed with info from this thread and other pros & cons I'd found on the internet, she told them that she'll wait a couple of years until the SMETS2 was available.
The guy on the phone was surprised that she knew about it & praised her for 'doing her research'. She's quite chuffed.

So from her, thank you.

The neighbour has relatively new white goods and TVs none of them 'smart'. She wouldn't replace them unless they can't be repaired. As she hates disruption & 'strange men' entering her personal space, in her situation it would probably best to tell them to take a walk.

There was a thread about Smart Meters a while ago. Several of us were worried that certain people would end up being afraid to turn anything on. She'd be one of them.

SMETS1, which relies on the fallible mobile signal, is being phased out this year. SMETS2 comes into operation from Oct 2018 using the purpose made DCC (Data Communications Co) network. The whole smart meter project is years behind schedule for all sorts of reasons. Relying on the mobile phone signal and allowing each power company to spec meters incompatible with other cpmpanies did not help.

Although the "Smart Meter" project is sold as something to help people manage their power usage that is only half the story. The whole project is looking forward to the widespread adoption of "smart" appliances such as fridge freezers, heating, IIVE etc etc. It is the intention that (a) power usage will be determined by the central rather than the user and (b) domestic/small commerical usage prices will vary dynamically with time of day, weather etc. This is especially urgent given the likely uptake of electric vehicles.

At this time people can choose whther to have a "smart " meter or not. Certainly there is no point in getting one of the stock piled SMETS1 meters as they become dumb if you change supplier. The SMETS1 meters are supposed to be updated to SMETS2 within a year or so ... maybe. Over time you may expect that most of the installed base will be SMETS2. You may also expect that those who remain on "dumb" meters will not be able to access the best tariffs. Those with SMETS2 meters can change supplier without losing the smart features.

The outlook for meter readers is poor. Safety checks of gas meters will probably shift to the CHS annual check - boom as Mr Fox might say for those who don't bother.

Much of this will not be very welcome news to many especially as in the long run there is no escape unless you feel able to live "off grid". It is highly likely that those who can update their appliances will end up paying quite a lot less for power than those remaining with older appliances and ICE vehicles. As with many utility policies it takes time foe the effects to bite by which time it is too late. For sure the boat has sailed on smart energy.

Thanks for that - there seems to be numerous articles about the downfalls, but very few about the advantages.

Very interesting article Det especially as there are many parts up here where there is no mobile coverage!

A complete waste of consumers money.I would rather have mobile coverage to make and receive texts and calls over a smart meter. Making and receiving calls is a necessity and far more important.

Florence
in the hebrides

Det, Interesting item about Smart Meters and mobile reception!

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/sep/06/smart-meters-energy-bills-signal-mobile-phone-network

The elderly neighbour has asked about Smart Meters as she's being pestered to have one installed.

Currently she manually reads both meters monthly, phones the supplier with the readings & has a variable monthly DDR based on her actual usage.

If she has a meter fitted, will she still be charged as she is now?

She doesn't have the internet. Mobile reception for some providers is a bit sketchy and she is very aware of what power she is (not) using. She'd rather sit with a blanket around her than over-ride the CH timer.

didn't ask for a sort code and pin no. I suppose?

:-D@malcolm
:-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

Had an e.mail from my supplier (extraengy) asking for my meter readings WHY.... I have smart meters they should know what my readings are.

Joan, we are the same with no mains gas available.I have to buy a medium canister for my hob.My oven is electric.

yes we are discriminated against. I pay by direct debit, have checked the tariffs and can do no more to reduce my bill other than sit in the dark every evening!

Florence
in the Hebrides

PS If we got a pay rise everytime they upped the tariff, that would be ok wouldn't it? And pigs might fly!

In the Mirror today:

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/woman-demands-smart-meter-removed-12366333

If you read the comments - she's not the only one.
Seems to be 'swings & roundabouts'!

Apparently - according to the article, Ofgem says no-one has to have a smart meter, but:
"Choosing not to have a smart meter may mean you don’t have access to all the available tariffs on the market, some of which could be cheaper"

"Some of which COULD be cheaper" - but may not be, I presume!

When I was young, smart meters, mobile apps, tablets etc had not been invented.
My parents were always conscious of saving money so switching off unneeded lights, hanging out washing on good days so not using tumble drier etc was second nature.

We didn't need anyone to tell them how to save money, it was common sense.

In summer, radiators were either turned off or down to the minimum until October.We did not have the luxury of electric blankets so if it was really cold, we put on extra thick blankets on top of our beds.

Our local electricity meter reader said a couple of years ago now that they only have to read the meter once a year but you can read your own the other quarters to keep your bills up to date.

if they reduced the price per unit of electricity instead of just increasing it, then we would all have lower bills.
In 1993 my unit price was 5p for daytime and 2p for night storage heaters.
My unit price is now 16p all the time.

Even when the oil price drops, you fill 500 litres and it may be cheaper than the last fill.The price changes daily.
But I don't ever recall the unit prices for electricity ever being reduced.
Does anyone else?

I'm on the cheapest tariff, pay by D/D so get a discount. I still have a paper bill but that's my personal choice.

I currently pay £35.00 per month and would struggle to reduce that.

Florence
in the hebrides

All these smart things are making people less smart....

last thing at night(usually) I look at the current reading...best was 70 watts...one night 400...hmmm freezers running? fish tank heaters on...?

.cos all the things plugged in are using...POWER!!!
those computers.....router, ...phones....plugged in shut down? standby?

but still sucking wattage......

Why is it presumed everyone has - or even wants - a smartphone?