Smart meters.....what's the point

[Bunkermagnet]

So they want everyone to have a smart meter. They're not so smart that they are not compatible supplier to supplier, and they just seem to be a marketing data and cost cutting device. I know when I am using elecy as that item will be on, so really....what is the point of them?

 

[FairwayDodger]

You can get real time data on energy consumption. Which will help you use energy more efficiently. Should hopefully mean significantly less energy usage as a nation onc smart meters are rolled out uk wide.
Suppliers get accurate readings so they can bill you properly on actual reading rather than estimated ones.
After the initial set up costs the ongoing cost to serve of each customer will be significantly lower since it will be very rare for anyone to need to physically visit your meter.
Greater flexibility wrt tariffs available to customers and tariff changes can quickly be performed remotely.
Initial pilot schemes were supplier specific so not initially transferable when changing supplier but processes have been coming in to allow this assuming you switch between suppliers who are running smart trials.
Once the full programme rolls out you will be able to switch between suppliers and that process should work more seemlessly than at present with dumb meters due to the timely availability of final and initial readings.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Ok...I understand.
But..... The leafy co get an accurate meter reading from me every 3 months when they send me a bill, which then send back with accurate readings.
The current smart meters aren't compatible supplier to supplier, and the next gen which would be aren't even out yet.
I know when IM using leccy as Inswitched something on.
Do Really trust an company only interested in profits to remotely switch my tariffs to suit them?
It costs a large amount to roll this all out, and we are paying for it with littlemofnthe benefit to us.

You might guess Imdont believe the gumpf about them.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

When they trialed water meters on the IOW use of water fell drastically.
People became very aware of how much was wasted.

 

[Bazz]

I work for one of the big 6 energy suppliers, this is as much of a pain in the backside for us as it is for customers.
No chance of everyone getting one by 2020.

 

[Fish]

I love my OVO supplier, I get an email 7 days before asking me to put my readings into their website, there's loads of graphs & stats on the site offering me info to help save on energy and what my averages currently are and projections for the future are, we've reduced our gas & electric massively since being with them for over 5 years now.

Keep it simple 👍

 

[rulefan]

I work for one of the big 6 energy suppliers, this is as much of a pain in the backside for us as it is for customers.
No chance of everyone getting one by 2020.

Well there will be at least one who won't have one after 2020 unless the government introduces legislation.

 

[FairwayDodger]

There's a massive programme rolling out smart meters and developing the central systems. The technology is there but it will take time to install them in every home in the country.

Not everyone gets accurate bills based on actually readings. It is especially difficult when tariffs change since they are usually unable to get an actual reading on the tariff change date.

You might know when you are using an appliance but it is very difficult to tell how much energy that device is using and consequently how much it is costing you. A smart meter linked to an in home device will help overcome that.

They can't just change tariffs without informing you but if you don't trust them there's not much that can be said to change your mind.

I almost hesitate to point it out to you but, if there is a concern about smart metering, it is around privacy. Your energy supplier will be able to tell a lot about you from your meter readings. For example, whether you are home or not and the times when your home is usually empty. Sensitivity and security around this data features highly in the programme.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Well there will be at least one who won't have one after 2020 unless the government introduces legislation.

I don't think you'll have a choice, certainly not in the long term.

 

[MegaSteve]

When they trialed water meters on the IOW use of water fell drastically.
People became very aware of how much was wasted.

And, after a settling in period usage went back to 'normal' levels...

 

[Deleted member 21258]

I almost hesitate to point it out to you but, if there is a concern about smart metering, it is around privacy. Your energy supplier will be able to tell a lot about you from your meter readings. For example, whether you are home or not and the times when your home is usually empty. Sensitivity and security around this data features highly in the programme.

We got a smart meter last year, and this is one matter I did not like about the meters. Its just another extension of the big brother culture and relying on big business/government to keep data safe and not use it for some purpose or another.

I can safely say what a waste of money for someone like me, as it has not changed my living pattern at all and using more/less electricity. We turn stuff off, only turn on stuff when needed etc.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

After you have had a smart meter you will never fill a kettle unecessarily again. Neither will you turn it on 10 minutes before you really need it so it is ready for when you do need it. It has definitely changed our usage.

The idea of sending readings automatically is also a godesend for many people. My inlaws have been caught twice with huge bills after their energy provider dropped their DD, didn't take readings and then when they did hit them with massive bills. My wife has now taken over their account and enters monthly readings for them to avoid this. Not everyone has someone to do this for them.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Even if you are already energy efficient, more accurate bills will help you Darren.

Also big potential benefits for the industry in capacity planning, load balancing etc. Maybe no obvious benefit for the consumer but should all help keep prices down in the long term.

 

[Beezerk]

After you have had a smart meter you will never fill a kettle unecessarily again. Neither will you turn it on 10 minutes before you really need it so it is ready for when you do need it.

Missus does both of those, I tell her most weeks but there she is the week after, doing the same thing 😂
Boils water with the lid off as well etc, does my nuts in as I'm trying to get our carbon footprint down.
I'm sure she thinks I'm just winding her up and electricity is grown on trees.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I find it interesting that nPower blame their 10% in the dual fuel charge in part to the cost of rolling out Smart Meters. And at the same time I note that the European Investment has provided very low rate loans for this

http://www.eib.org/infocentre/press...ur-315-billion-investment-plan-for-europe.htm

Not sure then why nPower can part justify their increase on Smart Meter grounds

 

[drdel]

I tend to check out the cheapest suppliers annually and change if its prudent.

Slightly concerned that if the meters aren't compatible across suppliers the freedom to switch will be compromised and competition will suffer.

 

[pendodave]

Missus does both of those, I tell her most weeks but there she is the week after, doing the same thing 😂
Boils water with the lid off as well etc, does my nuts in as I'm trying to get our carbon footprint down.
I'm sure she thinks I'm just winding her up and electricity is grown on trees.

This.

And the kids.

There is no way that a smart meter will change their behaviour. They just don't get it.

On the privacy issue. This is a huge concern and I'm surprised that there isn't more resistance to it. If there are two things we know about utility companies it is that they are (a) incompetent and (b) willing to do anything to make a quick buck. They will either lose or flog this data as soon as they have it.

 

[DCB]

Once we lose most of our good links courses to rising sea levels, maybe people will wonder if a smart meter wasn't such a bad thing after all

 

[Crazyface]

Just why it is assumed that Smart Meters will change peoples behaviour baffles me.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Just why it is assumed that Smart Meters will change peoples behaviour baffles me.

I installed a little power monitor - and it certainly did change my behaviour. So for instance I might put on an electric convection heater in the consevatory and I could see how much it was costing me to have it on - so I would switch it off as soon as I felt I no longer needed it on. I currently don't have the check running - and I tend to leave that convection heater on for longer than I probably need - as I can't see how much it is costing me.