Smart Meter

Looks like the suppliers are going to use the technology,

maybe this will change your mind,

“The smart meter overhaul that could lead to you being charged more for putting the kettle on, watching TV, or charging an electric car at peak times
Energy suppliers will be allowed to change prices up to 48 times per day
Customers could be charged more for watching TV at peak hours
Ofgem has said the change could save over £1.6billion overall
The move has sparked concerns that energy bills could continue to rise”

I don’t suppose they will charge less off peak.

Sorry Rocky it makes absolutely no sense to me. You are recording and submitting meter readings that are the same as would be transmitted electronically? The only difference between your readings and the ones sent electronically is probably the timing. I imagine the energy supplier takes a reading close to midnight whilst you probably do it during the day. As to getting excess money back from suppliers I don't have an issue with that. Octopus has a dashboard where you can see projected costs based on historical use and the current price as per your tariff and they tell you whether you need to increase your monthly payment or whether you can take a refund  and also suggest how much that refund could be based on the same information. There is no hassle about it you can make the arrangement for a refund in seconds and its back in your bank in a day or two. Maybe other energy suppliers are not as efficient? I can also see at with a few key strokes previous bills so easy enough to compare whether I am using more energy or less. It is, of course, always possible to have a faulty meter which might not give accurate readings - that can work both ways! But even if faulty I can't see how you would get a different manual reading compared to the electronic one?

David

I wouldn’t have any way of knowing if a smart / dumb meter was reading correctly, so it really comes down to the accuracy of the readings. As I put above we’ve had one since it was first possible and the readings have always been correct. Although even if there was the occasional miscommunication I wouldn’t be that bothered. At worst it might put up our direct debit slightly, but it would come down again when the reading corrected itself. However, in practice they don’t change the DD until a debt limit is reached, that our usage history shows won’t be clawed back. When we have gone significantly into credit, by being away for extended periods, they automatically pay it back.

We also will happily provide our own meter readings when asked.  OH would never like to have the readings being sent electronically and not knowing what the readings were.  No chance of even considering a (perhaps) smart meter here.  Sad perhaps but he has a spreadsheet that he records all meter readings taken, and the dates, so we can track our usage back for the last 12 years!  This is from someone who used to work for EON!! 

Basically-I don’t trust them, that’s the whole problem I have with them🤷🏻‍♂️. If I’m in control they can’t rip me off, I check the figures, I know I’m going to get a big or small bill. We are talking about energy companies that ask for hand outs regularly then post £100’s of millions in profit. I have no issue with anyone’s blind loyalty at all, if it suits you I’m happy for you, I don’t nor ever will trust them.

PS-I never accept them putting my payment up to what they want.

Well thanks everyone for the many replies Please can someone inform me ( as I have never seen a Smart Meter ) where it is connected to, is it in series with the meter , is it sited in the meter box ( mines outside ) , Is it a replacement for original meter etc etc .

It replaces the old one👍🏻

See this -

https://www.smartenergygb.org/about-smart-meters

Having read this thread,  it seems that most people don't like/want them. 

We have had them for  years since they were first introduced,  no problems, I fact they have helped to lower our bills over the years as you can easily see what uses the most electricity. We did have to have an old smart reader replaced with a newer version. It's easy to see account online and check bills etc if required. 

The really "smart" thing about smart meters, and the power companies are very quiet about this, is that they are able to remotely switch off your supply without you knowing. Demand is increasing (maybe higher prices will stop that, though) and coal and nuclear generating stations are closing for ever.

Rather than switch off whole towns or villages they can switch off individual properties to share out what power is available. When will it happen?  I anticipate it will be on a cold, windless night.