Smart Meters

Ringmaster · 01-08-17, 10:05 PM

I'm being pestered by my Utility Company to let them install smart meters.

Have resisted so far due to the negative publicity I've read about them so far, but may have to succumb eventually.

Any of you had regrets about smart meters?

chalkyh · 02-08-17, 07:54 AM

It's only my cynical interpretation but it's a way of spinning the high cost of energy onto the consumer - it's being spun as our fault the energy costs are too high - we use too much - so we can monitor use using smartphones et al, or previously sit in the meter cupboard and watch the dials spin round. The fact that the energy cost increases become pretty well invisible with the onus on 'you're using too much' rather than that core cost.

The latest Telegraph article gives a few negatives, but not the spun one above, point 6 is the most concerning I suppose . . .

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/si...060300080.html

RetroAuto · 02-08-17, 07:56 AM

The Utility companies are way short of the Government-set targets for the roll out of smart Meters.

Like many others. I have been lead to believe these things are a spy in the house, monitoring your energy consumption and passing it on to whoever.

If enough resistance to them is met then the Government will have to 'revise' their targets.

4v6 · 02-08-17, 08:18 AM

Itss just another con to get a spy installed in your house.
Has it got a mic and camera inside yet? No one knows but if its sending usuage data then itll not be too lonag before its twisted to being used in some other manner, just like getting your tv to spy on you.

They installed a "smart" meter here some time ago, apparently its very "smart"....so why do they keep estimating bills and sending someone to read them?
Also the one failed on my sister in laws house and the company insists it fine despite them requesting meter readings for a meter they say is working as it should....

Tell them to stuff the bloody things up right up their bottoms.

moonwatcher · 02-08-17, 09:07 AM

Smart meters monitor your usage AND when we get low on generating capacity the supply company will have the facility to turn off unnecessary consumption, read into that what you want.

Jake Blight · 02-08-17, 09:55 AM

We have one, alas the signals couldn't get through our granite walls. A booster was then supplied free of charge, it plugs into a wall socket. All works as it should, bills sent as usual. You can set the meter to send readings daily, weekly, monthly or even every day. We left it monthly and just check the figures when we get the bill. If it's wrong then you contact them... it hasn't been yet. It means that you pay for the electric whatever the going rate is each day if you plan daily rather than the average cost. I suppose it has reduced our costs, but not by much. My only niggle is they uses your broadband signal. Though in fairness it's probably nano seconds...

Be aware that once you swap you can't go back. Also not every energy provider at this time can use smart readers, so you could be limited on who you swap to if you want to.

On the upside, if we switch off the signal booster we can revert back to reading the meter ourselves. Not planning on doing that though.

Ringmaster · 02-08-17, 12:31 PM

Thanks chaps.

Life just seems to be getting unnecessarily complicated in the name of progress.

Ben · 02-08-17, 01:10 PM

We had one for ages, until we changed suppliers recently. Never looked at it, but it lit up the hall and stairs nicely at night.

No it didn't have a mic and camera in it, that would be illegal.

02-08-17, 09:07 AM	#5
moonwatcher 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Barrow in Furness, Cumbria Posts: 2,049	Shades of 1984 Smart meters monitor your usage AND when we get low on generating capacity the supply company will have the facility to turn off unnecessary consumption, read into that what you want. __________________ Coupe Quattro 1985

02-08-17, 01:10 PM	#8
Ben 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Stockport Posts: 2,348	We had one for ages, until we changed suppliers recently. Never looked at it, but it lit up the hall and stairs nicely at night. No it didn't have a mic and camera in it, that would be illegal. __________________ 1992 80 quattro 20vt

02-08-17, 07:54 AM	#2
chalkyh Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 116	It's only my cynical interpretation but it's a way of spinning the high cost of energy onto the consumer - it's being spun as our fault the energy costs are too high - we use too much - so we can monitor use using smartphones et al, or previously sit in the meter cupboard and watch the dials spin round. The fact that the energy cost increases become pretty well invisible with the onus on 'you're using too much' rather than that core cost. The latest Telegraph article gives a few negatives, but not the spun one above, point 6 is the most concerning I suppose . . . https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/si...060300080.html

02-08-17, 07:56 AM	#3
RetroAuto Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Telford Posts: 639	The Utility companies are way short of the Government-set targets for the roll out of smart Meters. Like many others. I have been lead to believe these things are a spy in the house, monitoring your energy consumption and passing it on to whoever. If enough resistance to them is met then the Government will have to 'revise' their targets.

02-08-17, 08:18 AM	#4
4v6 Ex Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 5,565	Itss just another con to get a spy installed in your house. Has it got a mic and camera inside yet? No one knows but if its sending usuage data then itll not be too lonag before its twisted to being used in some other manner, just like getting your tv to spy on you. They installed a "smart" meter here some time ago, apparently its very "smart"....so why do they keep estimating bills and sending someone to read them? Also the one failed on my sister in laws house and the company insists it fine despite them requesting meter readings for a meter they say is working as it should.... Tell them to stuff the bloody things up right up their bottoms.

02-08-17, 09:55 AM	#6
Jake Blight Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Cornwall, near England Posts: 881	We have one, alas the signals couldn't get through our granite walls. A booster was then supplied free of charge, it plugs into a wall socket. All works as it should, bills sent as usual. You can set the meter to send readings daily, weekly, monthly or even every day. We left it monthly and just check the figures when we get the bill. If it's wrong then you contact them... it hasn't been yet. It means that you pay for the electric whatever the going rate is each day if you plan daily rather than the average cost. I suppose it has reduced our costs, but not by much. My only niggle is they uses your broadband signal. Though in fairness it's probably nano seconds... Be aware that once you swap you can't go back. Also not every energy provider at this time can use smart readers, so you could be limited on who you swap to if you want to. On the upside, if we switch off the signal booster we can revert back to reading the meter ourselves. Not planning on doing that though.

02-08-17, 12:31 PM	#7
Ringmaster Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,326	Thanks chaps. Life just seems to be getting unnecessarily complicated in the name of progress.