Terry Everall Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 I keep being offered a smart meter by Eon next. Are there any disadvantages ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard (OldStager) Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 5 minutes ago, Terry Everall - WSCC Competition Secretary said: I keep being offered a smart meter by Eon next. Are there any disadvantages ? Me too (from another supplier) but I keep resisting. Mainly due to to the horror stories of the Gen 1 versions, where readings were incorrect and a family member had huge issues when wishing to swap from one supplier to another with the smart meter from the first supplier still active. As far as I see it right now, the only benefit for me would be not having to get on my hands and knees to read the old style meter, only to discover I had forgotten my glasses and have to do it all again, also getting to my meter involves the moving of some heavy furniture, so that issue could be removed as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Colonial Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 I’m currently with Octopus, after being shunted there when Avro went bust, with Gen1 Smart Meters. I’d say the benefits outweigh any perceived drawbacks. My readings are taken every half hour automatically without me lifting a finger, and I can see when and what is drawing power unnecessarily. For example, I’ve turned down the temperature in the basement of the storage heaters, and I’ve taken the electric shower (£10 a year), the TVs (£10 a year each) and the Virgin box (£25 a year) off standby when not in use. The washing machine now runs at 5 AM on a delayed start, saving 25% on electricity costs. Even with the current extortionate pricing, I’ve reduced my electricity and gas to just about £3 a day in summer, and that includes the stupid daily standing charges of £0.76, on a four bed Victorian semi. Finding energy draws and making small changes to my routines saves me about £2 a day. Changing suppliers was easy too, although I did take readings just in case. So from my viewpoint, it’s certainly worthwhile. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard (OldStager) Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 I am already with Octopus so I may just give them a call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim RS Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 My vote goes with staying away from smart meters. When I had my solar panels fitted last year the installer advised me to keep the old meter as long as I could, main reason is that my meter will go backwards and as long as I balance the usage the bills over summer are just rental, whereas smart meters need to be set up to record this activity and charge for usage/credit a minute amount for power production. I have air source heat pump heating as well so happy days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 3 hours ago, Richard (OldStager) said: the only benefit for me would be not having to get on my hands and knees to read the old style meter, only to discover I had forgotten my glasses and have to do it all again, That's why we have mobile phone cameras... I note that back in the day a nice man would come and read the meter every few months. These days, I'm sure in an attempt to inconvenience people into switching, I now get an email each month asking for a meter reading. But like Jim I'm resisting. Too many horror stories. And (conspiracy theory alert) what if they get hacked and a bad actor simply switches off the lecky? I'm not paranoid but they might still come and get me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evosteve Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 Personally I would keep well away, no standard. Remote switching, variable pricing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard (OldStager) Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 12 minutes ago, Blatman said: That's why we have mobile phone cameras... I note that back in the day a nice man would come and read the meter every few months. These days, I'm sure in an attempt to inconvenience people into switching, I now get an email each month asking for a meter reading. But like Jim I'm resisting. Too many horror stories. And (conspiracy theory alert) what if they get hacked and a bad actor simply switches off the lecky? I'm not paranoid but they might still come and get me... Still requires me to shift the furniture and bend down though. Like you I get a reminder each month, and had one only yesterday. Just need to pluck up the strength to shift the overly heavy dining room table . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 Selfie stick? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard (OldStager) Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 Yeah ok, that would work, just need a lighter table now 😃 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim RS Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 old 1 hour ago, Richard (OldStager) said: Still requires me to shift the furniture and bend down though. Like you I get a reminder each month, and had one only yesterday. Just need to pluck up the strength to shift the overly heavy dining room table . Old fashioned view tube or little remote camera, all done with very little expenditure. Otherwise do as I did and knock the wall down😱 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR.C Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 Yes there are disadvantages, it takes space up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard (OldStager) Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 2 minutes ago, MR.C said: Yes there are disadvantages, it takes space up! Not that it bothers me , it's hidden in a cupboard, but how much bigger are they over a conventional analogue meter?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR.C Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 Its not that, a Smart meter that tells you your using electric! What we need is a smart meter that can divert cheap electric from France. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Colonial Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 1 hour ago, Richard (OldStager) said: Not that it bothers me , it's hidden in a cupboard, but how much bigger are they over a conventional analogue meter?. Same size, no bigger. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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