Smart Meters

WI hbenow heard that smart meters are not compulsory , the energy companies are fined by the government if they don't offer them to customers ! They contact you to say we will come and fit one and all you have to do is refuse if you don't want one ,, Having said that maybe it might be a good idea,no more scrabbling around in cupboard under the stairs with a torch to read the meters ,torch in one hand ,pen and paper in the other,,

E-on keep writing to me too about installing a smart meter, and they make it seem as if they're compulsory, but they're not; so I am standing my ground and refusing to have one.

This has been a timely thread. I'm with E-on, who want me to have a smart meter. They asked me to phone to arrange a date to have it installed. I rang but was put on hold. As it wasn't a free number, I didn't wait. Now I see that it isn't compulsory, I'll bide my time.

Eloethan the updated smart meters will work if you change companies.

Mine is a boon because I am partially sighted. so no longer struggle with outside meters and a torch.

People are being pressured into having these meters, with suppliers often implying that it is mandatory. It isn't.

I would not have one and I think the whole project has been misleading. It has recently been estimated that the savings for the average family of having a smart meter are £11 per year. Hardly worth the bother, given that if you change supplier your smart meter may not work.

Although the energy companies pay for the meter and its installation, ultimately it is the customer who pays through increased bills.

A 2018 Guardian article quotes from a report carried out by MPs. This includes the information that the £11 billion cost of this project is increasing at the same time as targets are not being met. Also:

“Without urgent action, however, it [the report] believes the roll-out could become yet another large-scale public infrastructure project delivered well over time and budget, and which fails to provide the expected consumer benefits.”

www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/21/smart-meters-to-save-uk-households-only-11-a-year-report-finds

Chew baca, First Utility is the company I am going to change to, but they haven't said I have to have a smart meter, well up to now they haven't , my direct debit will be £13 per month cheaper with FU,

I am with Eon, and I said I was going to leave them as I had found a better , cheaper deal, Eon came back with a reduced price but I had to agree to the smart meter, I didn't have one before so why are they making me have one now, also how is they can suddenly reduce the tariff when you say you are leaving them ,

I was with First Utility for years and when my contract came up for renewal, they said that my monthly direct debit would have to increase, even though my usage hadn't changed, if I didn't agree to have a smart meter. I took my business to Bulb, paid slightly less per month, and no smart meter.
There was a discussion about energy companies doing this on Radio 4 Money Box recently.

I think there is more freedom to switch if you haven't got a smart meter. I have no problem with the one I have so I'm holding off for as long as I can.

I have a smart meter - mainly because of eyesight problems I could not read my meters which are outside.

I deliberately waited an extra 6 months so that the meter installed will be able to be used if I move suppliers.

I am like tanith I know how much I am using. To begin with, it was a one minute wonder- now I never notice it as it sits unobtrusively in the corner of the kitchen on the work top surface.

AFAIK the trouble with them at present, is that if you change suppliers, the one you have will not be compatible.

Dh has been ranting for ages about the futility of the govt. encouraging them until such a basic matter has been sorted out.
Other than that, I don't see any particular objection.

I can’t see any benefit myself as I’m mindful of how much energy I’m using regardless. As I understand it you can’t be made to have one installed and if you do once you change suppliers again it probably won’t work.