Smart meters, any good?

[AndrewP]

I've never seen the point of a smart meter.

 

[Geronimo]

I'm just about to renew my electric/gas contract, and usually just go with the best deal available on a comparison site.

Some of the better deals are only if you take a smart meter too. Apart from the slightly lower cost, what other advantages do they offer? I don't really see the point in them

They just save you having to send in a meter reading.
That's it.
Monitoring how much it costs to boil a kettle etc just drives you to distraction.

An example here of what I’ve stated. Until the second generation come out, I’m holding fire to get one.

Theyre out now i believe

 

[buster]

Can’t fiddle your meter reading with them .

 

[ozz]

No. But you can relocate the meter under the stairs.

i know but it would have been nice at their expense.

 

[Ghfd]

They just save you having to send in a meter reading.
That's it.
Monitoring how much it costs to boil a kettle etc just drives you to distraction.

Theyre out now i believe

Slowly though due to covid etc.

 

[beezer]

I've never seen the point of a smart meter.

Before I got one I used to forget to send my meter readings in and my supplier was estimating my bills and trying to bump my payments up all the time. Now it’s all automated it’s much easier and if I log into my account I can see an accurate graph of my usage. From my point of view that’s the benefit.

The little display thing is a bit pointless mind.

 

[PTR]

end of estimated bills and the ability to see what uses the most electricity and to what cost.

also be aware that some companies have meters which will only work whilst you are with them as your supplier. they are going to roll out meters which will be compatible for all companies but with covid that maybe delayed.

one way of knocking 10% of your annual bill is to turn down your thermostat 2 degrees

They've been saying that for 3 years. Can't believe they still haven't got them yet.

 

[yamar1]

When I renewed last year I had to get a smart meter as part of the deal.
They came to install it. Then I just unplugged it and put it in the cupboard

You do know that isnt the smart meter dont you?

 

[RedAndWhiteJeff]

It does in the sense of the meter working only for a particular supplier. You are free to transfer anytime you want, but you’ll have to get the smart meter removed and replaced by your new supplier.

that’s the problem and I’ve inside info on this, is all I will say. Until the second generation is rolled out so all smart meters are compatible no matter what supplier you choose, then you have to go through what I said above

You don't have to get the meter replaced if you move, it just becomes a normal meter.

 

[yamar1]

I'm just about to renew my electric/gas contract, and usually just go with the best deal available on a comparison site.

Some of the better deals are only if you take a smart meter too. Apart from the slightly lower cost, what other advantages do they offer? I don't really see the point in them

Great. Until you change supplier and they become dumb. Even the latest generation which was supposed to be compatible with all suppliers is shite. Mine became dumb also and i have to send manual readings in. Lots of talk to the supplier and they just fob you off..

To sum up, dont bother.

 

[Ghfd]

You don't have to get the meter replaced if you move, it just becomes a normal meter.

I understand that but it’s the smart quality that won’t transfer.

They've been saying that for 3 years. Can't believe they still haven't got them yet.

I can, all I will say

 

[Quinninho]

We had one installed a couple of weeks ago. After being constantly harangued by Npower I caved in.
I have to say, in the 5 days the fucker actually worked it was a real eye opener seeing the usage spikes when using certain household appliances.

It should be obvious but anything that has an element in order to heat up is an absolute drain.
Couldn't bieve how much my 4 slices of morning toast cost to prepare.

Anyhow, the meter display is sat doing nowt because it fails to connect to the box.

Csnt be arsed to ring them to be honest.

 

[AndrewP]

Before I got one I used to forget to send my meter readings in and my supplier was estimating my bills and trying to bump my payments up all the time. Now it’s all automated it’s much easier and if I log into my account I can see an accurate graph of my usage. From my point of view that’s the benefit.

The little display thing is a bit pointless mind.

I send them in twice a year. I end up in credit usually.

 

[jackynutmeg]

You do know that isnt the smart meter dont you?

I know.
The plug in smart meter that gives you your usage I put in the cupboard.

 

[yamar1]

I know.
The plug in smart meter that gives you your usage I put in the cupboard.

Thats the energy monitor, the only smart meters are the meters connected to your supply.

 

[Big Jeff]

I have mine boxed with some very nice hardwood and I am not ripping them apart

 

[Fcomp]

Long term, smart meters can be more useful than just saving you from sending in meter readings.

Imagine in 5 years time when everyone is looking for an electric car.
A smart meter will allow electric companies to give you complex deals such as:
"Charge my car when the cost of electricity drops below 2p/kWh".
"Sell my car's charge back to the grid when the price offered is over 10p/kWh"
or, instead of a single rate or a dual rate (like economy 7) you can have unlimited rates at different times of the day or week. The company can offer a complex range of deals and the customer can choose whichever best suits.

They also help the electric companies to plan better as they can monitor the demand in real to help plan and reduce overheads.

 

[Hair Flick]

Long term, smart meters can be more useful than just saving you from sending in meter readings.

Imagine in 5 years time when everyone is looking for an electric car.
A smart meter will allow electric companies to give you complex deals such as:
"Charge my car when the cost of electricity drops below 2p/kWh".
"Sell my car's charge back to the grid when the price offered is over 10p/kWh"
or, instead of a single rate or a dual rate (like economy 7) you can have unlimited rates at different times of the day or week. The company can offer a complex range of deals and the customer can choose whichever best suits.

They also help the electric companies to plan better as they can monitor the demand in real to help plan and reduce overheads.

Agreed. But right now?

 

[Fcomp]

Agreed. But right now?

Yes, because the roll out will take years.

 

[Sinbad Skullhead]

Ive fitted a fair few. Some of the houses ive been in fuck me opens your eyes to how people live. You wouldnt believe the amount of tampered meters in middlesborough.