Smart Meters

[gramps85]

I am being pestered by my Energy Company to have a smart meter installed, and for both gas and meters to be changed as they have, according to them, reached the end of their lives. 

I have no wish to have as smart meter installed, and they say that the new gas and electric meters incorporate smart meters.

Can I ask AB's if they have experienced such a ploy, and what are views on smart meters.

[Peter Pedant]

I have mock-up meters in a quite inaccessible cupboard just so I can the exercise reading them

no - yes !

I had nail boots to the cupboard ceiling  and then have two children push me to and fro as I whizzed past the meter. I called out the number  - - but they were always wrong - just like in that Vincent Price film

scots power didnt exactly laugh when I told them. sniffy actually.

they cut me off with a delete button ( you know something like the mods use) and then cdnt turn me back on.  

and were indifferent to the fact I was always in credit. ( you can only be cut off if you have not paid for energy)

[davebro3]

Bleedin' dinosaurs - you thought they were extinct but TWAU!

[gramps85]

Just arrived back home and read everybody's comments, which are mixed, some in favour, and others with negative views, and I am grateful for everybody who took the time to respond.

I will take the time to read them in detail and then decide what I will do, but my gut says NO to smart meters.

[ladybirder]

A read of this might help.

https://www.smartenergygb.org/about-smart-meters/myth-busting-smart-meter-problems/do-i-have-to-get-a-smart-meter#

 

[New Judge]

"But why bother if it can be done for you?"

Because it cannot do all I want, dave.

I like to keep a rolling 12 month average of my usage; I compare each month with my usage 12 months previously; I calculate ny monthly bill. I use my annual consumption figures to compare deals from suppliers. All this is done with two monthly entries to a spreadsheet. Taking these readings, entering them to my spreadsheet and submitting them to my supplier takes less than five minutes.

I think that selling smart meters on the basis that it saves the customer the enormous bother of reading his meters is a bit thin. I've no particular objection to them - unless they begin to be used for differential pricing (which I'm sure they will), But I think they're being sold ostensibly to cure a problem which doesn't exist.

  

[New Judge]

"Am I the only person who has ever been refused a Smart Meter on here?"

No. I have. I've told the tale on here before. If I get time I'll repeat it on this thread.

[Togo]

Smart meters do indeed not use the internet. They do however use you HAN(Home Area Network) as do all your other smart devices. Mobile phone, smart tv, smart speaker, printer etc. They do not need you to use a password to hitch a ride on your modem. They can also utolise your neighbours wi fi if you do not have it. After this they pass all info onto what is termed a WAN( Wide Area Network)which then communicates with our supplier using the DCC network of encrypted coms. DCC is an Irish company. Are you beginning to see the potential for misuse or criminal intent yet? If not the smart meter is smarter than you.     

[Togo]

P.S HAN is sometimes called LAN(Local Area Network). The system does of course use any wifi signal that is within reach of the meter.  

[davebro3]

NJ - do you have OCD by any chance?

[davebro3]

//I like to keep a rolling 12 month average of my usage; I compare each month with my usage 12 months previously; I calculate ny monthly bill. I use my annual consumption figures to compare deals from suppliers. All this is done with two monthly entries to a spreadsheet. //

Bloody hell - get a life For Funks Sake!🤣

[nicebloke1]

All the info given by me on this thread is part what I already knew, but a big chunk is what I got from a tv documentry a few weeks back. Its was dedicated to the problems that still exsist with SM. The main problem being that many customers are being asked to pay sums of money that they dont owe, even though they have alerted they supplyer months ago that their smart meter is not working, therefor they are getting inflated bills way higher than they've ever had of used in the past. 

But they continue only to send engineers out to fit new meters to reach their monthly government targets.

[Togo]

Just to illustrate the possible negative impact of smart meters on our lives.You have some control over the home area network that is generated by your router or internet provider. A smart meter home area network can be linked to other devices without your knowledge or permission. Besides monitoring these devices it could have a link which extends to allow control of these devices, possibly turning them off. It is difficult to assertain exactly what they could be capable of because in the "interests of your security" it is kept secret. Imagine    ...  these smart meters can decide whether you smart tv or other appliances that require an electrical supply work if "someone decides" that they mustn't.  Including your modem. 

[davebro3]

and don't forget the lizard people who rule the world...

[davebro3]

who the flip has a "modem" these days🤣

[Togo]

Your internet service provider. Turn whole swathes of an area off if it is deemed "necessary". 

[gramps85]

The latest information I have from my supplier is that next year OFGEM and the Government are legislating that SM will be required, on a compulsory level, to be fitted in all homes, and in doing so there may a charge for fitting them in properties that do not have them.

Sounded like a threat to me to have a SM fitted, and I promptly told the agent what I thought, but of course the young lady was only reading from a prepared script. Must read 1984 again to see if there is any resemblement.

[ladybirder]

I knew ages ago that it would eventually become  compulsory to have SM's fitted in all homes here.  I don't remember how I knew, TV or Radio, Newspaper or word of mouth but I knew.  I can't be the only one surely?

[rowanwitch]

Got one, no problem, still pay the same direct debit every month, have shifted some energy use, saved a little.  No longer use the display gadget as it didn't work very well due to my flat being concrete construction. 

[jourdain2]

They'll have a problem with us then. No mobile reception in the house.  We can always block the drive to stop them getting access.  Surely that sort of draconian attitude is illegal?

[Maydup]

It's time to stop resisting the smart meter; apart from the occasional faulty meter (which happens with the old style too) the negatives are all conspiracy theories!