Electricity Smart Meters

Yes it's not compulsory to have one. I've been trying to get my supplier to put in Smart meters but they are dragging their feet somewhat !

James

I have got one, fitted in the middle of 2015.

On the whole it is a good thing. I look to see what my daily usage has been. It also alerted me to the degree the standing charge tends to distort the cost of each unit used if you are a low user like me. 

I have a Tenancy, so less chance to make changes, but if I owned the place, I get the gas taken out.

My annual gas usage is less than ten per cent of the gas standing charge! So it must be some of the most expensive gas anywhere! The gas only feeds the cooker top, and I simply do nut fry food, and rarely boil eggs.

I also have found it instructive to work out the Wattage and running costs of individual items. Say the cosy of boiling a full kettle, or toasting a pair of slices of bread! A shower can be quite economical if you make it a quick job, rather than enjoying a long soaking. It can work out more expensive than a bath if you do!

It informed me of the cost of powering the ESL, my Little DOT amplifier, the NAP 100 and everything else. By the expedient of turning everything else off for the test, and then with everything in the replay turned on finding the difference when a music signal passes through. With an ESL there is no measurable change with or without musical signal. Mind you I listen quietly even by ESL standards.

It has caused me to modify my usage. I am guessing that in the winter it saves me fifty pence a day, but in the summer no saving was possible. Put on a hat and coat rather than attempt to warm the room has been my response except for the Christmas Holidays!

Best wishes from George

Smart meters are far more accurate than the old type, which tend to err on rewarding the energy companies! 

That is good though will still pay for it!

But those who are careful may be less inaccurately rewarded for their thriftiness ...

J.N. posted:

The big energy companies continue to roll out the new-tech devices and I recently received communication from my supplier E.ON stating that they will soon be changing my meter to a Smart Meter.

I replied, stating that I don't want one, and to my surprise they acquiesced with no problem. I quote:-

"Thanks for getting in touch to let us know you don’t want to have a smart meter fitted in your home. If you’re happy to carry on with the meter you already have then please continue to give us your readings each time a bill is due to keep your account up to date".

FYI.

John.

I'm with you my dear fellow!

If I want something switched on it will be on, not going to keep running to check the cost.

J.N. posted:

The big energy companies continue to roll out the new-tech devices and I recently received communication from my supplier E.ON stating that they will soon be changing my meter to a Smart Meter.

I replied, stating that I don't want one, and to my surprise they acquiesced with no problem. I quote:-

"Thanks for getting in touch to let us know you don’t want to have a smart meter fitted in your home. If you’re happy to carry on with the meter you already have then please continue to give us your readings each time a bill is due to keep your account up to date".

FYI.

John.

John, I had the same experience with E.ON - and they had some one contact me to understand why I didn't want one - to which they said they were sympathetic and couldn't rule out any RFI side effects and so said was not suitable for me.

However I have now starting making  my own enquiries on the technology that E.ON use with their smart meters and I understand they use the Zigbee wifi spectrum - and as such I have no issue with this at all.

PS - yes we should meet up as per your earlier post..

What were your concerns Simon ? 

James I thought it might use modulation techniques over the mains to connect the control meter

Ah ok