Smart meters

[Taz]

Just had a text saying we're scheduled to have one fitted.

Thought these weren't compulsory ?

Some mob called Lowribeck.

Can we decline ?

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Yes. Short and simple that one

 

[Old Skier]

The government has issued a deadline for smart meters to be installed by the utilities.

Had mine for 4 years with no problems and up to date charging. Understand some might not like it but it's coming.

Just check with your supplier who the company they are using is if your going down that road.

 

[USER1999]

Have turned mine down. There is no legal requirement for me to update.

According to Which, there is no such thing as a standard smart meter. They are supplied and fitted by your energy supplier, and are done so purely to tie you into them. If you want to change supplier, you will probably need a new meter, and most don't then bother changing as it is a hassle.

 

[Beezerk]

Have turned mine down. There is no legal requirement for me to update.

According to Which, there is no such thing as a standard smart meter. They are supplied and fitted by your energy supplier, and are done so purely to tie you into them. If you want to change supplier, you will probably need a new meter, and most don't then bother changing as it is a hassle.

Same reason why we also declined having one fitted last month. When there’s a “one size fits all” meter then we’ll go ahead.

 

[rulefan]

First Utility have just confirmed that they are only fitting first generation smart meters. ie they are unlikely to be compatible with most other suppliers' systems. They say they should(?) work as non-smart meters but may have to be 'fixed'.

If you are thinking about changing to a 'Smart' tariff with any supplier, make sure they confirm that the meter is the latest industry-wide standard (and get it in writing).

 

[need_my_wedge]

The government has issued a deadline for smart meters to be installed by the utilities.

Had mine for 4 years with no problems and up to date charging. Understand some might not like it but it's coming.

Just check with your supplier who the company they are using is if your going down that road.

Had mine done by British Gas about the same time. No hassles thus far, but am still with the same supplier. Think it's very useful, no longer reliant on me checking the meter every month and feeding numbers back, or getting a guestimate from them until they do their once a year meter check.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Yes, just tell Lowribeck to cancel it and cite the reason you change suppliers year on year.

Lowribeck are just a meter/data contractor.

 

[drdel]

The fact that suppliers are fitting non-standard meters is an issue - but only for us consumers. If you have one your supplier has met its government obligation.

If you subsequently change supplier and your meter now becomes a dumb unit because of incompatibility it will only matter to you - the supplier(s) wont care as the obligation 'to fit' one has been met so they will have no incentive to upgrade your meter and wont care.

After a few years I can see a significant number of the users who had the early devices fitted will be back to where they started and taking their own readings once more.

 

[Taz]

Out of interest how does the data get back to the supplier ?

 

[Old Skier]

Out of interest how does the data get back to the supplier ?

Over tinternet I believe

 

[full_throttle]

and it's not free.

unless it runs on fresh air,

 

[need_my_wedge]

Out of interest how does the data get back to the supplier ?

There’s a SIM card in mine. It dials home daily. I was under the impression that if I change supplier, just need to change the SIM to the new suppliers one. Although some of the smaller companies don’t have the setup, thought the bigger boys were compatible.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Think it's Smets2 thats the smart meter thats supplier lrrelvant, whereas Smets1 is basically useless to any other supplier other than the one you're with when it's fitted.
I refused mine when they wanted to fit it. It's no smarter than me reading mine and giving them the readings.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

and it's not free.

unless it runs on fresh air,

Costs under £1 a year to run

 

[Dellboy]

If you don't want it then just say no thanks.

They can't force you to have one.

 

[jim8flog]

Out of interest how does the data get back to the supplier ?

The have SIMS inside and phone the info back

 

[jim8flog]

I had mine fitted by Scottish Power the electric one worked fine but the gas one never worked. It caused a lot of hassle when I switched supplier. The new guys says it is of no use to them.

I love the fact that I no longer have to go outside in the wet and cold to get a meter reading to post readings via the net.

Personally I think what they do other than read the meter and send it to the supplier is a load of .............. unless you are someone who is totally unaware of things to do to save power usage. They did not change my habits one iota.

If you are going to have one fitted make sure you note the old meter readings and preferably take a photo of them.