Smart meter anyone ?

[buryboy]

Hi guys
Am sure I remember a thread a while back where people were being negative about having a smart meter installed
To me I am not sure what the downside is ? It’s designed to save money and it’s free right ?

Please tell me the pro’s and con’s
Ta

[LLamb]

We had one installed a few years back and it was great. Didn’t have to supply readings and I think it did make us reduce our consumption a bit.

Then we changed suppliers and now it’s completely unless (as a smart meter) still works as a meter and I’m back to submitting g readings again.

I think the newer ones can be transferred but until that’s guaranteed I wouldn’t get one.

[mason1]

We had one a couple of years ago. After 3 weeks it ended up in the back of a cupboard! The one positive is we don’t have to have meter readings taken anymore. If you’re getting one to change the way you use energy, then go for it, as it’s surprising which appliances use the most. However, we decided that we weren’t going to be dictated to by the smart meter - hence the back of the cupboard.

[Rebelrebel]

Before I had them I used to put the heating on all day, have lots of baths and not think twice until I got the bill , now I can keep a check on it every day if I want and if I think I'm using too much change my habits, have showers instead of baths, turn the heating down a bit and make sure lights and other stuff are not left on and of course there are the environmental matters too. There are two types of meters, the 'dumb' ones which only speak to their own supplier or the universal ones which are being phased out now which will work with any supplier. The meters come with a monitor which will give live use readings, I don't use that however you can check on the app or website of most suppliers too. I have no regret at all in getting them

[Trusty ian]

We had one fitted in June and it's the latest version that should still work if we change supplier. I held off getting one for last few years until the latest ones were out.
As for saving energy, nope. We are tight already with how and when we use elec and gas anyway and the smart meter just confirms what devices use the most etc.
Kept looking at the meter daily to see consumption but novelty soon wore off.
It's connected still in living room but don't look at it.
Get a bill for information every 3 months.

[Rac20]

We had one fitted a couple of weeks ago after saying we never would but when I changed suppliers it was part of the t&c.
It’s definitely made the kids more energy conscious and they are forever turning lights off. I came home to find DS14 had been sat under 3 throws rather than put the heating on. I did tell him that if he’s that cold then he needs to put the heating on! So in that sense it’s good.

My worry is how accurate it is. One day last week, I’d spent £5 before I’d even got up which was clearly not right and the next day when I checked the history of the day before it showed, I’d only spent £1.75. Nothing near £5. So something obviously wasn’t right that day!

No idea what happens if we switch suppliers. It’s good not having to traipse down the cellar (urghh) to read the electric meter.

Edited to add: I was fascinated by the fact that it costs me 1p per hour to have my light switch on! ☺️

[WhereIBelong]

My current electricity and gas meters still have over a decade of useful life left in them. I am eco-aware and know which things use electric/gas and how to minimise use.

Changing perfectly good meters cannot be ecologically sound. It sends the wrong message yet again. Get this new shiny stuff, chuck out the old.

[Lindaelaine]

You don't need a smart meter to save money, you just need common sense , only good thing about a smart meter is it sends your meter readings to your supplier . We all know what uses electric if you want to cut back there are simple ways of doing it , a smart meter is not going to save you money, cutting down on your electric usage is .

[Some Banana]

We had one installed but then changed supplier making it useless. We have recently renewed our energy supplier and they require us to have their smart meter installed within 3 months so I guess we will be having another. I did like having it and not doing meter readings. I just dont like the idea of having someone out to rip the meter out and install a new one every time we switch supplier which has been mostly every year. Hopefully soon there will be a meter that can be used with different companies.

[Dinglebert]

Until they can guarantee that the smart meter supplied will work when I change supplier then its a no from me.