Smart Meters

There are some drawbacks. Big Brother will know what electricity you are using and when which does not necessarily mean you will get it cheaper. I am told they can cut your power supply if you are behind with your bills but I can't see that happening. If you have solar panels the smart meter can get confused and you can end up paying for electricity you have not used.
I was quite pro smart meters until I read all of this and more which I have forgotten in my local paper - in a letter from a very anti smart meter person who seemed to know an awful lot about it. Could be worth a google.

GrannyAnnie2010

What nonsense.
Read today's (Sunday's) news re smart meters and the problems.
A DD is agreed in advance after viewing your previous years bills and an average is worked out so there is no need for energy companies to keep tabs via a smart meter.
You can very easily work out your own bills to the last 'penny'.

I don't know which company it was, but they were determined to put a smart meter in our church. I was surprised there was even a mobile signal in the vestry, but there was and the engineer duly turned up and I showed him where the meter and fuse box are. He took one look, sucked his teeth, said he couldn't do anything with the wiring set-up and that the company would be in touch. That must have been over a year ago. So when we were pestered to have one at home I told them that the phone signal was intermittent in the downstairs of our house and they've given up for now.....

We have a first generation smart meter; it does make switching more of a hassle and so far as I can see, doesn't necessarily help save on energy costs. I can't see the point in Government promoting switching AND smart meters. Until these meters are read across all suppliers, the two are not wholly compatible, in my experience.

I refused one and my energy company were fine with that and have not harassed me. I also don't pay every month for what 'they' estimate I may use, I pay quarterly for what I have actually used based on the meter reading. I think smart meters are a con which cost everyone but do not deliver. My energy usage is very low, as are my bills!

I've no intention at all of being railroaded into having a smart meter.
The more they try, the less likely it will happen.

Scrabbling around under the stairs with torch, pen and paper?
There are only 4 numbers to remember for gas and about 5 for electricity.
If you can't remember 4/5 numbers,
take a photo with your mobile (no torch needed as meter is illuminated when photo is taken) and email it with your account number and name to the company's email address or submit in usual way.

We have a smart meter and are with BG,as said it saves doing meter readings as my meters are in a cellar so I,m saved that job.

I was with first utility up to last year, and i switched, because to get a cheaper tariff they insisted i had a smart meter
I always pay more than they say i need to pay on DD and so often get a good rebate
I object to being told i HAVE to have a smart meter,
I wouldnt touch EON with a barge pole after being over charged, and they always seem to be the first to put their bills up,i went with them when the special deal for pensioners came in at 60 years old, after that my monthly payments went up to £140, which i am sure meant they were trying to claw money back, my sister is with them, never switches and she pays as much as me for 1 person in a 2 bed bungalow
I thjought the Government had ordered these energy companies to keep their bills down
When i was in town last week there were people in the precinct touting for business for First Utility, and their cheapest was £109 a month for me, i am told my DD should be £71, but i pay £80, to cover me in case of extra usage for any reason,
I will be comparing again my my contract runs out
I am with Green Star energy, snd not really happy with them, as i was told i would get a £50 discount for joining, and perks every month,which didnt happen, as they were getting customers through a broker and GS denied that was correct, when i questioned this, i was told i could leave if i wanted but it would cost me, as it had gone over the 14 days opt out
I have heard Bulb is very good, so will check them out

bring to an end estimated meter readings
Are people incapable of reading their own meters?
4 or 5 numbers given online at monthly or quarterly intervals ensures accurate billing.
If you can't submit online (and all GNers can) then a short phone call to customer services 2/3 days before the bill is due to be generated, will suffice.
I can't, for the life of me, understand why people make an easy task such as submitting readings and calculating accurate bills, so problematic.

I think my smart meter makes us think more about energy consumption. I don't suppose it really saves a great deal of energy (maybe a little) but it does makes us more aware of what we are using. It does away with meter readings and estimated bills. It's just easier for everyone concerned! I'm more than happy with mine!

I changed to isupply for gas at the beginning of March. DD will be £14pm GCH and hob in 2 bed flat.
3.74 unit and 11.56 standing charge, 1 yr fixed.

I'm purposely resisting an installation even though my supplier is bombarding me regularly with 'good news' and 'we're in your area now'. Fact is I've read a little positive about them but more, it seems, of adverse comment. I'm currently managing contentedly and will leave well enough alone. I daresay, in due course, they may become compulsory. Hope not.

About 3 or 4 years ago, my mum (just beginning to suffer from Alzheimers) received a letter from the utility company saying they were coming to put a SMART meter in, no discussion it had to happen. She panicked greatly so I rang them to explain the anxiety it had caused and maybe later- would that cause a problem. The guy on the other end stated that the government wanted every household to have one by 2020, but not to worry as they were so behind installing them this target wouldn't be reached, so just ignore the letter. Never heard from them again...a SMART meter not compulsory to have seems to be the case. I havent got one either btw!

I would like to share this video with anyone who is interested. Here is a link to the smart meter
documentary "Take back your power". www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZTiT9ZSg3Q
Well worth watching and pretty scary in terms of the damage done to human
bodies!

I had one with British Gas and when I changed to Bristol energy it no longer worked. My tariff is much cheaper now and I've been with Bristol Energy for 4 years and nothing ever seems to come close to what they offer so I renew. I do not understand how a smart meter cuts costs, it certainly didn't for me.

I had an apology from EoN after complaining about the wording of their letter. We agreed they would make no more contact until/unless they could supply a second generation meter when we would consider it - no guarantee of acceptance. That was six months ago, no contact since.

Have/had a smart meter. On changing supplier usual story - no good. The suppliers like them as your useage can be closely monitored and no need for meter to be read by them. Until there is one meter suits all available won't be bothering. And yes, it becomes just a bit of junk in the kitchen. If there are a few teenagers running computers,games,phone chargers,hairdryers,straighteners in the household then may be useful to see just how much they are costing.

Would I recommend a Smart meter? No.
I haven’t got one and don’t intend to have one. People whom I know that have one have had problems of different sorts.
Why do you need to know usage of electricity that you need to use anyway!?
(Now should the ! be before the ? or after?)

Apparently if your internet goes down so does your electric

A friend of ours had one installed by EDF they told her she has been underpaying for 4 years and she ended up with a massive bill. I definitely will not be having one installed.

Supplier rung last week saying they were in the area and would we like one - politely refused. Don’t want any more tat on a shelf thank you.

There have been ads all over the radio for a couple of years saying get one. I wanted one. I have asked the last 4 suppliers and still not got one. We will be rolling them out eventually in your area. Some said waiting for the newer ones that work with every supplier.
My current gas and electricity supplier for more than a year is Bulb, green energy. I'm registered as vulnerable so they read the meters four times a year but also ask monthly for readings which I send, or a photo of the meter.
When I muddled it they were very good. I've had various contacts and they have replied to emails or online chats and the costs are a little less than the last company. Also if anyone wants to change to Bulb I can send a code and we get £50 each for me recomending you! I did recomend one person and a couple of months ago I got an email saying it was my one year anniversary and it would be £100- each for the next person and I did recommend someone and got another £100 credit!

My father aged 90 got one because he thought it was the law. It didn't save him anything at all, as he'd already bought eco appliances, led bulbs etc etc. He was the most frugal person I know.
Totally useless and didn't work when he changed supplier.
It went in the bin.

Having a smart meter means the company knows when there is no usage, ie when you are on holiday and the house is empty. I have heard some dreadful stories where houses have been broken into when it's known the house was empty. Wouldn't have smart meter under any circumstances.