ManinBlack
Tour Winner
Just cancelled the arrangement to install mine after I learned this.
Smart meters.....what's the point
- Thread starter Bunkermagnet
- Start date
Just cancelled the arrangement to install mine after I learned this.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
So can you help on the nPower claim that one reason for their 10% increase in dual fuel charges is the cost of implementing Smart Meters - when from the EIB website
http://www.eib.org/infocentre/press...ur-315-billion-investment-plan-for-europe.htm
More than 7 million smart meters will be installed in homes across Great Britain under a new GBP 1 billion mass roll-out programme backed by the European Investment Bank alongside six commercial banks (Barclays, Crédit Agricole CIB, HSBC, Santander, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd) and Infracapital. The European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide GBP 360 million to this initiative that will significantly increase the roll-out of smart meters to reduce energy use and help households save money.
The programme is a key part of the scaling up the use of smart meters in Britain, and one of the largest smart meter schemes in Europe to date. The roll-out will be managed by Calvin Capital, a leading funder, owner and manager of gas and electricity meters. Individual meters will then be used by customers of energy suppliers.
Or is it that the power companies still have to find £640m. It's not clear whether the EIB plus other banks are providing all of the £1Bn
FairwayDodger
Money List Winner
Well I'm a techy and certainly wasn't involved at that level but it's fair to say it's costing a shed load so doesn't surprise me that some of them might hike prices. I don't think banks "provide money", it'll need repaid! However, I think there's already a surcharge applied to all our bills to go towards the cost so maybe a bit surprising they're so openly claiming more. Mind you, I've long been convinced that they're all "at it" when it comes to pricing generally but that's more down to my natural cynicism than any inside information.
FairwayDodger
Money List Winner
Did your supplier tell you it wasn't compatible or did you base it on this thread?
As I said, the initial trial meters couldn't be switched without being dumbed down but processes were put in place that in most cases they can. You'll find stories on the internet about this but they're years old. It depends on which meter and which supplier, as not all are geared up. Once the main roll out starts the meters will be fully transferable.
This is based on where they were a year ago, I'd expect the situation is better now.
ManinBlack
Tour Winner
No, they didn't, but, to be honest I can't see the value of them & am likely to leave them (NPower) shortly anyway. Couldn't be bothered with the disruption & mess the average British workman brings.
Bunkermagnet
Journeyman Pro
5 Live this morning, around 5:45 AM...they were talking specifically about smart meters and what a waste of money they are currently, the expert they had on said there wasnt compatible meters out so they were just a stumbling block to switching. The next gen of meter would be compatible, but they weren't even be made yet.
Bunkermagnet
Journeyman Pro
I think I have decided to avoid them all together. Common sense tells me when I'm using leccy, and when it's cheapest to use it.
I might have more faith in them and the leccy companies if they weren't blaming these things for some of the massive price rises, they take the proverbial.
I might have more faith in them and the leccy companies if they weren't blaming these things for some of the massive price rises, they take the proverbial.
SteveJay
Head Pro
Really.......I don't follow that logic.......lower consumer usage = lower profits.....will investment and maintenance fall in line, I doubt it. They are plcs with shareholders after all!
FairwayDodger
Money List Winner
Can't really comment without hearing the detail of the discussion. Granted it's not as smooth as it will be under the full rollout but it's simply not true to say you can't switch them.
FairwayDodger
Money List Winner
Remember this programme is government mandated and the industry is heavily regulated.
Bunkermagnet
Journeyman Pro
The industry/techy expert said as clear as day that they were not supplier to supplier compatible, and that was a major blocker to those wishing to switch.
Bunkermagnet
Journeyman Pro
FairwayDodger
Money List Winner
Well I worked on a system and we were quite happily handling change of supplier processes with them. This issue is that it's not as easy as it should be and not universally possible between all suppliers with the current meters. If your expert said it just can't be done, he was wrong.
As I said, I've been out of it for a while but I'm surprised by the comments you're reporting and it can only mean things haven't been progressing as they should have been.
Bunkermagnet
Journeyman Pro
FairwayDodger
Money List Winner
Thanks for that. Interesting stuff. He doesn't say you can't switch supplier with the current meters, just that they're not fully compatible which squares with what I've been saying. I am a bit surprised if there's still no SMETS 2 meters available since I'm pretty sure we were building systems using them but maybe they were still prototypes. It's been a while and I don't have the best memory!
What was really interesting was the point about advances in mobile technology potentially making the solution obsolete before it even goes live! Would like to hear some of my old colleagues take on that!
Sounds like I might be well off out of it......
We had a smart meter installed in our new build. Had issues with gas supply and so Eon came along and split them into two separate meters now that stand alone.
Golfmmad
Tour Winner
Well I had smart meters fitted only last Thursday and can only say its the way forward!
Not only was I amazed at how much the electric kettle uses but how much lights are using. In the kitchen we have 8 halogen down lights, 5 under counter flourescents and 2 halogens in display cabinets. they're not on all the time of course but just the display lights are used now much more than they ever used to be.
So the plan is to change all the halogens over to led's, even though it will be costly initially.
Another reason why I favoured the change meant that we could get rid of the economy 7 meter that was just not cost efficient. And as for the switch over to other suppliers, I'm not too worried as I switched just before Christmas and I'm sure any issues will be ironed out soon anyway.
Oh, and I had a very tidy "British" workman, who was very helpful with good advice and took what little mess there was away with him.
All in all very happy :thup: whilst improving my bank balance!
Not only was I amazed at how much the electric kettle uses but how much lights are using. In the kitchen we have 8 halogen down lights, 5 under counter flourescents and 2 halogens in display cabinets. they're not on all the time of course but just the display lights are used now much more than they ever used to be.
So the plan is to change all the halogens over to led's, even though it will be costly initially.
Another reason why I favoured the change meant that we could get rid of the economy 7 meter that was just not cost efficient. And as for the switch over to other suppliers, I'm not too worried as I switched just before Christmas and I'm sure any issues will be ironed out soon anyway.
Oh, and I had a very tidy "British" workman, who was very helpful with good advice and took what little mess there was away with him.
All in all very happy :thup: whilst improving my bank balance!
SteveJay
Head Pro
Indeed, you beat me to it! When have energy firms ever been interested in giving consumers a good deal!!!
Can you just swap the bulbs or do you need to change the fittings and everything?
Golfmmad
Tour Winner
Yes you can just swap the bulbs - 5w led's. I'm not sure about the flourescents though, will have to look into that.
:thup:
