Smart meters

There is no eveidence that there is any significant saving in fuel consumption following installation of a smart meter. The frugal continue to be frugal and the wasteful continue wasteful after the novelty wears off.

Like others we had a smart meter installed and then changed suppliers. We haven't been approached by our current istaller to have a new one, but we will not accept it unless it is a mark 2 meter, which is compatiblle with every other supplier.

Changing meters everytime you change supplier is ludicrous and immensley wasteful of labour and resources.

Grandma KT no my information is not wrong. However, don't take my word for it. There is loads of information re Smart device hacking. Alexa being another item that can be hacked. I won't be having anything "Smart" don't trust it. Also, just wait till all these energy companies have everyone on Smart Meters, they will put you onto the dearest tariff and there wont be a thing you can do. A previous poster is correct, they are already blackmailing people into having them installed by saying they will not put you on the cheapest tariff. They don't work with solar panels either. I do want people to be clear though, they are NOT compulsory and no one should be forced/blackmailed into having one if they do not want one.

Grandma hmmm I thought as much tut...I may as well have one then ehhh.. tut,

We’re also in an area where the Vodafone signal is not good enough. Unless you’ve a three tier off peak meter, it’s not rocket science to look at how many units you’ve used, and multiply that by the cost per unit!

Regarding bypassing meters, I remember we were getting a new meter, and I had to laugh when the fellow fitting it said the firm would probably have employed a team of highly paid experts to make them tamperproof, and he guaranteed that, within the month, two wee guys in a pub in Glasgow would have worked out how to fiddle the electric!

( I only say Glasgow because it’s our nearest city. Other city pubs are available!)

As mentioned, it did stop Mr P putting a completely full kettle on to boil for just 2 mugs of coffe, it was quite alarming to see the usage display shoot up, so in that respect it has saved money!

@bikergran, they are paid for out of the gas and electricity charges we pay, so you are paying for them whether you have one or not.

I won't be having one, someone has to pay for the smart meters somewhere down the line also an engineer to fit them etc. Although the home owner 'doesn't pay there and then. I would be interested how they are funded/paid for etc.

Perfect! Thank you GrandmaKT! I wondered why it didn't seem to matter to anyone when my husband/children/grandchildren plug ipads/playstations/phones in instead

You're welcome Tedber, (crossed again!)

@Tedber - the device you use to read the amount of fuel being used isn't the smart meter, that is attached to your traditional meter. So it doesn't matter to the fuel company if your device is plugged in or not, they can still use your smart meter to check your usage remotely.

Ooops crossed post GrandmaKT Thank you for the further info.

@Fiachna50 your information is incorrect. They are not easy to hack, and there would be no point in hacking them anyway as they don't hold any data about you or financial information. See www.telegraph.co.uk/property/smart-living/what-do-you-know-about-smart-meters/
Also the latest smart meters are transferable between suppliers. Even if you have one of the older ones, it doesn't mean you can't switch suppliers, it just means that when you do switch the new supplier installs a new meter.

We've got one but we forget it's there most of time so no real benefit. I have no idea IF it can be read instead of reading the meter? Half the time it is unplugged? We changed from one supplier to another and it was a 'condition' of supply so just went for it.

What do you mean they can be hacked Fiachna50 Do you mean other people can tune in to your gas and electricity? Bit worrying. What if it is unplugged most of the time? Nobody has got on to us to say "Hey get your smart meter plugged in"

I keep being pestered as well, by letter, text and emails. I won't have one as I can't see any benefit except for the company. And when we once agreed to have one many moons ago, the engineer who came said he couldn't do it as the signal wasn't good enough.

They can be very easily hacked! I wouldn't touch one. Do a search on them, you will find out alot of information. Plus, if you get the older model, you will not be able to change to the cheaper fuel supplier. They are not compulsory.

Charleygirl5

That’s good to know, thank you.

We won’t have one.
The current version won’t work if you switch supplier.
We use what we want to use and knowing how much it is costing won’t change that.
It is a lie to say it will automatically save you money.
We can see to read our meters , so we don’t get estimated bills.
And finally, DH thinks they act as a spy in your home.

Yes, we have one and have not had any problem. It's interesting to start with to check how much energy is being used, but the novelty soon wore off! It means that the energy company can read the meter remotely without having to bother you.

Calendargirl my solar panels have not been affected by my smart meter.

I needed one because of my macular degeneration I could not read the meters which were outside. I now get accurate bills. I would not be without.

I was told because I was given the latest it would be compatible if I changed firms.

I have never had a moment's bother with it- it is small and sits in a corner.

Apparently if you don’t have a smart meter the big six energy suppliers will not offer you their cheapest tariff when your old one is up for renewal.
I have recently had a big discussion with NPower over this.

We have solar panels, and I understand smart meters upset their working properly, so I wouldn’t have one.

We have one. I barely look at it. DH tuts if it goes over about £6 a day!

It's winter, we need heat and light!

I’m always getting offered smart meters. I enquired about it and they said they can’t fit one because our area has limited mobile signal and it won’t work. So why offer in the first place?

My tenant had one fitted (I don't have one). He watches it like a hawk and adjusts his use accordingly. Good for him! Sensible young man, but then, he IS an accountant.

I have one. It wasn’t a problem. It doesn’t save you money having one just lets you see what appliance uses, in my case electric more than others. The only difference for me is that I can see the little gadget on the work top much easier than standing on steps opening a cupboard door and watching the wheel spin round on old meter. I don’t get in a tizzy about how much power is used but I’m not wasteful. If I want a cuppa I will have one.