Smart Meters

[Farmergeddon]

I am being pestered by my power company to have a smart meter installed.. My first thought was "if they want to install it there must be something in it for them which may cost me!".. will being able to see how much I am spending cause us to sit in the cold when we used to be comfortable?? or frighten us to death if we keep at our usual rate??

 

[larmen]

I think they pester you because they will have to in the future, and by starting now they take off some of the pressure and reduce the peak a little.

We got a smart meter some 2 years ago. It's linked to our phones, so while we set time and temperature limits as usual it only heats when one of us is actually at home.
We can see usage online but I don't think either of us has every looked at it.

 

[SocketRocket]

We had them fitted 6 months ago. Don't need to send in readings anymore and can see breakdowns of what were using. I like it.

 

[garyinderry]

No estimated bills can't be a bad thing.

Had them a while too and haven't once looked at the little box with how much we are using.

 

[larmen]

Just reading your replies makes me realise I confused smart meter with smart thermostat.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

We are all going to get them at some point, it is a roll out scheme. They are good. No harm either in knowing which appliances use the most power and cost the most. It makes you think a little more about your consumption.

 

[vkurup]

It is a mandated roll out across all domestic properties in the UK. So everyone will get it at some point before 2020. As someone already mentioned it does away with estimated billing and has some other benefits which you can google.
Now like all Govt mandated tech projects it is currently way behind schedule. The central DCC centre which is responsible for collating data from your smart meter is not up and running and hence the current SMETS1 smart meter that your supplier puts on your walls will only work with that supplier and is not interoperable. Once DCC is up and running then in theory you can change supplier while the meter will remaining Smart. You can change your supplier before DCC comes into play but your smart meter wont be 'smart' and you will still need to submit meter reading or get estimated billings.

It is only a matter of time before DCC becomes operational. Also in a couple of years or less we should get SMETS 2 meter which will be smarter.

 

[Farmergeddon]

OK guys thanks for that, just learned that because the OVO engineer didnt turn up for a appointment they have credited my account £30, not bad seeing as I had forgot about the appointment..