can any one get their heads round these meter readings request?

I was told, not to worry about readings, my smart meter would send them through. Looking at the web site,no recent meter readings sent. Went outside to check, and lo and behold meter on nought, pressed magic button, meter read. Only problem is,I can't get low enough down to read my gas meter.
Any way long story short, they've reduced my direct debit it payment.

Ashcombe. Fortunately, my meters are easy to reach and read. I am meticulous about sending in my readings and calculating my energy bills. I could get a smart meter but so many of my friends seem stressed by them, constantly watching the units clock up. I suspect its a phase that people go through but there are also technical problems with smart meters.

I loathe how energy companies try to nanny us over budgeting, just to make us pay in advance. I refuse to pay for more energy than I have used each month. I’m perfectly capable of budgeting. I suspect I am now flagged in a national energy database. Don’t argue with this woman! Don’t even try! She has a spreadsheet and she isn’t afraid to use it!

Theexwife. I see no reason to have a smart meter unless and until such time as I can’t read my meters or energy companies offer a discount for having one but that would be unfair to those who cannot have one. Their main purpose is for energy companies to monitor and manage supply and demand.

The roll out of smart meters has been hugely costly, over 11 billion so far, costs that have been passed onto customers.

The technology isn’t without its problems …

The NAO found that some 3 million smart meters were not working properly, leaving bill payers with inaccurate readings and incorrect charges.

... and as wi-fi technology advances, devices will become obsolete.

More than 15 million first-generation smart meters and nearly 14.8 million second-generation ones will require upgrades after 2G and 3G mobile networks are switched off in 2033.

But the technology capable of connecting second-generation smart meters to 4G will not become available until at least 2025, according to the Data and Communications Company.

www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/millions-smart-meters-obsolete-soon-bungled-rollout/

My gas meter is positioned in a way I find physically difficult to read . To overcome this obstacle I take a photo with my phone and I can then read the numbers when I zoom in on the photo.

Theexwife

I know that some people do not want a smart meter, it is not a criticism I would just like someone to give me a reason why they wouldn’t have one.

The only difference in having a smart meter that I know of is that you do not have to send your own meter readings.

I don’t find reading my meters and sending them in on a monthly basis a problem, which is one reason why I don’t want or need a smart meter. I fully appreciate that for some people this is a problem, and also that one day I may be glad of a SM. Just not yet.

Also I don’t see the need to constantly monitor what I use. If I want the oven on, plus a hot plate, whilst boiling the kettle and maybe using the microwave all at the same time, so be it. If it racks up the cost, and is how I want to cook, well, that’s it really.

We can't have smart meters as the meters are in a cupboard where there is no signal. I'm quite happy with this as each company has its own smart meter making it difficult to change supplier.

AGAA4

We can't have smart meters as the meters are in a cupboard where there is no signal. I'm quite happy with this as each company has its own smart meter making it difficult to change supplier.

Not entirely right, I just changed from Shell to Octopus and the same smart meter is in use.
Northface my display unit has never been plugged in since day one of my smart meter, it’s boxed in a cupboard, if I choose to look at usage, it’s all on the app.

I also keep a detailed spreadsheet of my usage and pointed out to Shell that the graph they put at the end of my bill showing usage compared to last year was not only inaccurate but the graph on their website showed something different.

The reply “we only use estimates for these graphs”.

Why can’t they use my actual readings which they ask for every month? I thought the idea of these graphs was so you can see if you are reducing your usage.

AGAA4

We can't have smart meters as the meters are in a cupboard where there is no signal. I'm quite happy with this as each company has its own smart meter making it difficult to change supplier.

This used to be an issue but the smart meters being fitted now, including mine, fitted at least two years ago, continue working if customers choose to change supplier.

Thank you. I didn't know that. Much fairer.

We pay gas and electricity by direct debit, and I too provide meter readings monthly to avoid estimated bills.

My smart meters were fitted in November but Ovo continue to ask for readings even though two “engineers” have checked the meters in the past month. They are both too high for me to read so we have an impasse - when, that is, I can actually speak to a person. I am at my wits’ end!

Grannynannywanny, my gas meter is in the far corner of the understairs cupboard - below the third step. I don't want to slide in there on my stomach to read it anymore - so take a photo, just like you.

Theexwife, I still dislike the idea of smart meters. Reasons? Concerns about accuracy - and also about the future plans of energy companies to charge different rates according to demand. They plan to charge more at times of peak demand, less at quiet times - good for some people, impossible for others.

They charge me 31p per kWh (and 42p daily standing charge) yet pay me 15p per kWh I feed back to the grid. Luckily, I only use a kWh or two daily in the summer and provide, on average, 14 kWh.

Tizliz

I also keep a detailed spreadsheet of my usage and pointed out to Shell that the graph they put at the end of my bill showing usage compared to last year was not only inaccurate but the graph on their website showed something different.

The reply “we only use estimates for these graphs”.

Why can’t they use my actual readings which they ask for every month? I thought the idea of these graphs was so you can see if you are reducing your usage.

Shell’s systems are antiquated and not fit for purpose. I had been with First Utility/Shell for a long time and reasonably happy but then a systems failure on their part caused me huge problems that dragged on for three months. They just couldn’t get my bills right despite having all my readings so I left and went to OVO. Happy so far but early days.

Shell are said to be getting out of the domestic supply market possibly to be taken over by OVO or Octopus. That’ll be why they aren’t investing in their systems.

This:

www.theguardian.com/business/2023/mar/29/ovo-reportedly-planning-bid-for-shell-household-energy-customers

I thought that the whole point of having a Smart Meter is to cut the need, to read meters. I have informed Scottish Power if my smart meter is not sending them the readings, they will have to send someone out. The meters are placed too low for me …..

Thanks NorthFace, explains their couldn’t care less attitude

tanith

I’ve always done mine on the last day of the month I get a reminder from Octopus.

i would like to become an octopus, but e-on owe me nearly £200 and i feel i better use it up first.
i anticipate a struggle if i change now and try to get my money from e-on.